50+ Subject and Predicate Example with Sentences

In English grammar, the structure of a sentence is crucial for clear and effective communication. At the heart of any sentence are two fundamental components: the subject and the predicate. Understanding these components not only enhances sentence construction but also helps in improving clarity, coherence, and fluency in writing and speaking. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to polish your skills, grasping the concepts of subjects and predicates is essential for mastering English grammar.

In this article, we will dive deep into the definition of subject and predicate, explore different types, and provide a wealth of subject and predicate examples to help solidify your understanding.

What is a subject?

The subject of a sentence refers to the who or what the sentence is about. It tells us the main idea or focus of the sentence, often representing the person, place, thing, or concept involved in the action or situation.

• Definition: The subject is typically the noun or pronoun that performs or undergoes the action of the verb in the sentence.

Key Points About the Subject:

• It answers the question “Who?” or “What?”.

• It is usually located at the beginning of the sentence, before the verb.

• A subject can be a single word or a group of words (phrase or clause).

Examples of Subjects in Sentences:

1. John plays soccer every weekend. (John is the subject.)

2. The book on the table is mine. (The book is the subject.)

3. She loves to read mystery novels. (She is the subject.)

What is a predicate?

The predicate provides the information about the subject, explaining what the subject is doing or what state it is in. The predicate contains the verb (action or state of being) and any additional information about what is happening or being described.

• Definition: The predicate is everything in the sentence that is not the subject. It tells what happens to the subject or what the subject does.

Key Points About the Predicate:

• It always includes a verb, either an action verb or a linking verb.

• It can contain other parts, such as objects, complements, and modifiers, that help to complete the meaning of the sentence.

• The predicate typically follows the subject.

Examples of Predicates in Sentences:

1. John plays soccer every weekend. (Plays soccer every weekend is the predicate.)

2. The book on the table is mine. (On the table is mine is the predicate.)

3. She loves to read mystery novels. (Loves to read mystery novels is the predicate.)

Types of Subject and Predicate

To deepen your understanding, let’s explore the different types of subject and predicate that make up a sentence. These categories help break down sentence structure and ensure clarity.

Types of Subject

1. Simple Subject: This is the core noun or pronoun that the sentence is about. It is the main person, place, thing, or idea.

   • Example: In “The dog barked loudly,” dog is the simple subject.

2. Complete Subject: This includes the simple subject and any words related to it that modify or describe it.

   • Example: “The brown dog barked loudly.” Here, “brown dog” is the complete subject.

3. Compound Subject: This is when two or more subjects share the same verb.

   • Example: “Tom and Sarah play tennis.” In this case, both “Tom” and “Sarah” are the subjects, and they share the verb “play.”

Types of Predicate

1. Simple Predicate: This refers to the main verb or verb phrase that tells what the subject is doing.

   • Example: “The cat slept.” The simple predicate is “slept.”

2. Complete Predicate: This includes the verb along with the words that give more information about the subject’s action or state.

   • Example: “The cat slept on the couch all day.” The complete predicate is “slept on the couch all day.”

3. Compound Predicate: This occurs when there are two or more verbs or verb phrases that share the same subject.

   • Example: “She reads and writes every day.” The compound predicate consists of the two verbs “reads” and “writes.”

Subject and Predicate in Complex Sentences

In more complex sentences, you can have multiple subjects and predicates working together. These sentences may involve compound subjects, compound predicates, and compound-complex structures.

Example of a complex sentence with a compound subject and a compound predicate:

• “John and Sarah went to the store, bought groceries, and returned home.”

  • Compound subject: John and Sarah

  • Compound predicate: went to the store, bought groceries, and returned home

Subject and Predicate Examples for Kids

When teaching young learners, it’s important to use simple, relatable examples. Here are a few subject and predicate examples designed to help children easily grasp these concepts.

Examples:

1. The dog barks loudly. (Subject: The dog | Predicate: barks loudly)

2. The teacher reads the book. (Subject: The teacher | Predicate: reads the book)

3. The flowers are blooming. (Subject: The flowers | Predicate: are blooming)

These examples can serve as a fun way to explain the basics of subject and predicate while keeping it simple and engaging for younger audiences.

Subject Examples:

The subject of a sentence is the part that tells us who or what the sentence is about. It usually contains a noun or pronoun and sometimes additional descriptive words (like adjectives).

1. • The cat sleeps on the bed.

     • Subject: The cat

   • John went to the store.

     • Subject: John

   • My friends and I enjoy playing basketball.

     • Subject: My friends and I

   • The teacher is explaining the lesson.

     • Subject: The teacher

   • The dog barks loudly at strangers.

     • Subject: The dog

   • This book is fascinating.

     • Subject: This book

   • The sun rises in the east.

     • Subject: The sun

   • The flowers bloom in spring.

     • Subject: The flowers

   • Our house is located near the park.

     • Subject: Our house

   • The children play outside after school.

     • Subject: The children

   • The car broke down on the highway.

     • Subject: The car

   • The movie starts at 7 p.m.

     • Subject: The movie

   • My parents travel a lot for work.

     • Subject: My parents

   • The athlete won a gold medal in the competition.

     • Subject: The athlete

   • The old man sits on the porch every evening.

     • Subject: The old man

   • The teacher and the students are having a discussion.

     • Subject: The teacher and the students

   • The rain is pouring heavily outside.

     • Subject: The rain

   • The clock stopped working.

     • Subject: The clock

   • My brother is studying for his exams.

     • Subject: My brother

   • The birds chirp every morning.

     • Subject: The birds

Predicate Examples:

The predicate of a sentence tells us what the subject does or what happens to the subject. It usually includes a verb and may contain additional information like objects, complements, or adverbial phrases.

1. sleeps on the couch.

2. barks loudly at strangers.

3. Reads books every evening.

4. Play in the park after school.

5. explains the lesson clearly.

6. rises early in the morning.

7. sings beautifully at the concert.

8. blows gently through the trees.

9. runs faster than anyone else.

10. Visit us on weekends.

11. broke down on the highway.

12. loves to paint landscapes.

13. bloom in spring.

14. Fly across the sky at dawn.

15. shows the correct time.

16. Cries when he’s hungry.

17. prepares delicious meals daily.

18. lies on the table.

19. sits in the park every afternoon.

20. are discussing the topic.

Summary of Difference:

• Subjects answer the question “who” or “what” is performing the action in the sentence.

• Predicates tell us what the subject is doing or what state it is in, focusing on the verb and the actions or descriptions related to the subject.

How Subject and Predicate Work Together

To create a grammatically correct sentence, it’s essential to have both a subject and a predicate. The subject sets the stage, while the predicate delivers the action or the state of being. Together, they form the foundation of sentence structure.

• Subject + Predicate = Complete Sentence

  • Example: “The sun sets.” (Subject: The sun | Predicate: sets)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Understanding the roles of the subject and predicate helps avoid common grammatical mistakes. Here are a few to watch out for:

1. Missing Subject: A sentence without a subject can be confusing.

   • Incorrect: “Went to the store.”

   • Correct: “I went to the store.”

2. Run-on Sentences: These occur when two independent clauses are improperly joined.

   • Incorrect: “She plays piano; she loves music.”

   • Correct: “She plays piano, and she loves music.”

3. Misplaced Predicate: Sometimes, the predicate can be placed awkwardly, making the sentence unclear.

   • Incorrect: “The dog, loudly barking, was at the door.”

   • Correct: “The dog was loudly barking at the door.”

By mastering the subject and predicate, you can ensure your sentences are clear, direct, and effective.

Conclusion On subject and predicate

In this article, we’ve covered the essential concepts of subject and predicate , broken down their types, and provided examples to help you better understand how they work in sentences. Remember, clear sentence structure is the foundation of effective communication, whether you are speaking or writing. With this knowledge in hand, you can now start crafting more precise and expressive sentences.

Stay tuned for more advanced topics in grammar that will take your understanding of English to the next level!