Subject and predicate
Find the subject and the predicate in a sentence.
Now that you can name the kinds of sentences, let us look inside one. Every sentence splits into two parts: who or what it is about, and what is said about it.
The subject is the person or thing a sentence is about; the predicate is everything said about the subject, including the verb.
Examples
- My little brother | loves chocolate ice cream.
- The train to Mysuru | left on time.
- Smita | painted the gate green.
- Over the hill rose | a bright full moon.
- (You) | Wait here.
How it works
Find the subject with who or what
Find the verb, then ask who or what before it. The answer is the subject.
The postman knocked twice. (Who knocked?)
Simple and complete subject
The complete subject is the whole group of words; the simple subject is the main noun or pronoun inside it. The verb agrees with the simple subject.
The keys to the old cupboard are missing.
The predicate holds the verb
The predicate tells what the subject does or is. It always contains a verb and may also have objects and other details.
Our team won the quiz trophy this year.
Subject in unusual places
Sometimes the subject comes after the verb, especially in questions or after phrases of place. In commands, the subject you is understood.
Here comes the bride.
Quick reference
| Sentence | Subject | Predicate |
|---|---|---|
| Birds build nests. | Birds | build nests |
| The tall boy in the blue shirt is my friend. | The tall boy in the blue shirt | is my friend |
| Is your father at home? | your father | is … at home |
| Close the door. | (You) | close the door |
| Down came the rain. | the rain | came down |
Common mistakes
✕The list of names are on the notice board.
✓The list of names is on the notice board.
The simple subject is list, which is singular.
✕My uncle he works in Dubai.
✓My uncle works in Dubai.
Do not repeat the subject with an extra pronoun.
Worked example
Exercise 1
Tap the subject.
Kabir sings every morning.
✓Kabir
Kabir is the person the sentence is about.
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- Quick check with 5 questions and solutions
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