English Subject and Predicate: Definition, Exercises with Answers, Types, Rules, Preparation

In grammar, a sentence is made up of two main parts: the subject, which means, who or what the sentence is about and the predicate, which tells what the subject does or is. If we describe the Subject Predicate meaning in another way, the subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action or is being described in the sentence. Whereas, the predicate tells what the subject does or is. It includes the verb and any other words that complete the meaning of the sentence.

Also Read: English Conjunctions

 In the context of grammar and talking specifically about subject predicate definition, according to Oxford Learner's Dictionaries, the subject is the person, place, or thing that the sentence is about, while the predicate is the part of the sentence that tells something about the subject, including the verb and any accompanying words.

Subject: /ˈsʌb.dʒekt/ (stress on the first syllable).

Predicate: /ˈpred.ɪ.keɪt/ (stress on the second syllable, in both noun and verb forms).

Example:

Sentence: Divya sat on the bench.

Subject: Divya (who or what the sentence is about)

Predicate: Sat on the bench (what the subject does)

According to Collins Dictionary, “The subject is the part of a sentence that tells who or what the sentence is about, while the predicate is the part that tells what the subject does or is”.

Also Read: English Nouns: Meaning with Examples

So far, we have understood the basic meaning and difference between the Subject and Predicate. Now let’s see their different types of subject and predicate in grammar:  

Subjects and Predicates can be divided into three categories:

• Simple
• Compound
• Complete

Read below to know in details about the types of Subjects and Predicate:

Simple Subject and Predicate 

Simple Subject: It is the main noun or pronoun, that the predicate talks about in the sentence. 

Simple Predicate: The verb or verb phrase that explains what the subject is doing.

Example: The dog is sitting on the table.

Simple subject: Dog

Simple predicate: sitting on table  

 

Compound Subject and Predicate 

Compound Subject: Two or more subjects joined by ‘and’ or ‘or’ in the sentence.

Compound Predicate: Two or more verbs describing what the subject is doing. They are also joined by ‘and’ or ‘or’.

Example: Shyam and Ram are playing and running here and there.

Compound subject: Shyam and Ram

Compound Predicate: playing and running

Complete Subject and Predicate 

Complete Subject: Simple subject along with adjectives that describe the noun.

Complete Predicate: Simple predicate along with other words that complete the meaning

Example: The little dog went to the market.

Complete subject: Little dog

Complete Predicate: went to the market

Also Read: English Antonyms: Practice Questions with Answers 

In English grammar, there are certain rules that have to be followed for proper and correct usage of Subjects and Predicates. For example, singular subjects are paired with singular predicates or verbs.

Shiksha lists down rules for the right usage of Subjects and Predicates in the English language. Please read them thoroughly to score better marks in exams.

Rule 1

Singular subjects require singular verbs. For example, in the sentence, “The bus runs from Delhi to Mumbai.” Here ‘the bus’ is the singular subject used with the singular verb ‘runs’

Rule 2

Plural subjects require plural verbs. In the sentence, “The buses run all day long.” The plural ‘buses’ requires the plural verb ‘run’.

Rule 3

Compound subjects with the word “and” require plural verbs. In the sentence, “Peas and Potato taste great together.” Peas and Potato grouped together to create a compound subject. Hence, the right predicate used is ‘taste’.

Rule 4

Compound subjects with the word “or” or “nor” can take either a singular verb or a plural verb. If the number of the subject closest to the verb is singular, use a singular verb. For example, “Either Reena or Meena knows the answer.” If the number of the subject closest to the verb is plural, use a plural verb. For example, “Either Mohan or his brothers know the answer.”

Rule 5

Collective nouns can be singular or plural. Collective nouns like “team,” “company,” “city,” “state,” “government,” “committee,” and “store” are singular nouns and thus take singular verbs. Collective nouns like “team members,” “company leaders,” and “city officials” are plural and thus take plural verbs.

Also Read: Pronouns in English: Meaning and Tips to Use

Rule 6 

Indefinite pronouns are singular and take singular verbs. The indefinite pronouns “anything,” “anywhere,” “anybody,” “anyone,” “each,” “each one,” “either,” “neither,” “everyone,” “everybody,” “nobody,” “somebody,” “someone,” and “no one” are singular. They require the singular form of verbs. For example, “Nobody likes candies anymore.”

Rule 7

A pair is a singular noun and this is used with a singular verb. For example, “pair” is the singular subject in “That old pair of socks has treated me well.” Singlular verb ‘has’ is used in the sentence.

Rule 8

Plural-form subjects are often singular when presented as a title. For example, “Physics is an important subject.”

Rule 9

The phrase “one of the [plural noun] who/that” requires a singular verb. Although the phrase has a plural noun, it should be considered as a singular verb which says “one of the [plural noun],” which functions as the subject. Despite the sentence referencing a group of people or things, the noun phrase is focusing on just one of them. For example “One of the cats is wagging its tail.” Since the subject is ‘one of the cats’, the predicate used is ‘is’.

Rule 10

“They” is a third-person pronoun that can be both singular and plural. “They” can refer to a group of people or to one individual. Corresponding verbs should be singular or plural according to the context.

Also Read: Adverbs in English Grammar

Reason why most of errors occur while using subjects and predicates is because of the special cases that often create confusion. But if studied well, this confusion can be cleared, and you can excel in proper and right usage of subjects and predicate.

Shiksha has listed down few such special cases for better understanding of the subject. Please take note of them, for better clarity.

1. Words such as "everyone," anyone," "each”, that ask us to consider something one member at a time rather than collectively, are singular. Ex: Everyone likes to sit in the park.
2. When subjects are connected by the word "or," the subject closer to the verb determines its number. Ex: Either the tree or the plants are going to be cut.
3. When "some," "all," or "none" are part of the sentence subject, the number of the verb matches the number of the noun to which "some," "all," or "none" refers. Ex: Some of the bananas have been eaten.
4. Although "and" in the subject usually indicates a plural, there are cases where the context is singular, and hence singular noun is used. Ex: Supply and demand is important for an economy.
5. Nouns that are "collective" take a plural verb when the group as a whole is meant. On the other hand, they take a singular verb when the group can be thought of as individual members. Commonly used collective nouns include "number," "majority," "series," and "variety." Ex:

A number of people were affected by the announcement.

The series of steps was taken.

6. Units of measure are treated as collective nouns, taking a singular verb. Ex: 500 ml of milk is needed.
7. "Data" can be treated as a singular or plural noun, depending on whether the word refers to a collection of data as one unit or whether individual results are implied. Ex: Once the data is collected….or When the data for 2020 and 2021 were compared.

Also Read: Verbs in English Grammar

To correctly identify and use the subject and predicate in a sentence requires its clear understanding. The students should be clear that while the subject tells you, who or what the sentence is about, the predicate describes what the subject does or is. Practicing and solving various questions on subjects and predicates is the most effective way to clear the concept.

While we have given exercises to practice, in the end, here we will share with you some preparation tips and tricks, which can help you understand the concept of subject and predicate in a better way.

1. Understand the Definitions: The first and the most important preparation tip to master subject and predicate is to have clear basics. Students need to understand the definitions of both subject and predicate so that they can make out the difference between the two and can use them in the sentence correctly and accordingly.
2. Practice with Exercises: Practice makes the man perfect. Students will learn the basics and have clarity as much as they practice questions related to the topic.
3. Put internet to best use: There are many platforms on internet including google and YouTube that have content related to subject and predicate. Some portals and videos explain the concepts in a very easy and understandable way. Put this to good use.

Also Read:  Preposition in English Language 

Here’s the fun and easiest way to learn about subject and predicate and identify them in a sentence. 

Read sentences and ask yourself, "Who or what is the sentence about?" The answer is the subject. Once you've found the subject, ask yourself, "What is the subject doing or being?" The answer, including the verb and any related words, is the predicate.

Another interesting way to practice the subject and the predicate is to illustrate simple pictures of actions and describe who (the subject) is and what they’re doing (the predicate). Use your imagination and have fun with it. This way students can learn to identify subject and predicate in a sentence.  

 

Also Read: English Paraphrasing: Tips and Errors to Avoid