What Is A Subject And What Is A Predicate

Unlocking the Secrets of Sentence Structure: Subjects and Predicates

Every sentence, the fundamental building block of communication, is comprised of two core components: the subject and the predicate. Understanding these elements is crucial for grasping the meaning of sentences, constructing grammatically correct phrases, and ultimately, becoming a more effective communicator. This exploration delves into the intricacies of subjects and predicates, providing a comprehensive guide to identifying and understanding their roles within sentence structure.

What is a Subject?

The subject of a sentence is the noun or pronoun that performs the action or is being described. It's the central character or focus of the sentence. Think of it as the "who" or "what" the sentence is about.

• Nouns: Dog, cat, table, idea, happiness
• Pronouns: He, she, it, they, we, I, you

Identifying the Subject:

The easiest way to find the subject is to ask yourself, "Who or what is performing the action?" or "Who or what is being described?". The answer to this question will typically be your subject.

Examples:

• The dog barked loudly. (Who barked? The dog)
• She is a talented musician. (Who is a musician? She)
• The book is on the table. (What is on the table? The book)
• Happiness is a state of mind. (What is a state of mind? Happiness)

Types of Subjects:

While the basic definition of a subject remains consistent, there are several variations to be aware of:

• Simple Subject: This is the core noun or pronoun without any modifiers.
  • Example: Birds fly.
• Complete Subject: This includes the simple subject and all its modifiers.
  • Example: The little blue birds fly.
• Compound Subject: This consists of two or more subjects joined by a conjunction (and, or, nor). They share the same predicate.
  • Example: John and Mary went to the store.
  • Example: The cat or the dog will eat the food.
• Implied Subject: This occurs in imperative sentences (commands). The subject is "you," but it's not explicitly stated.
  • Example: Go to the store. (The implied subject is "You go to the store.")

What is a Predicate?

The predicate of a sentence contains the verb and everything that follows it. It tells us what the subject does or is. It provides information about the subject's action, state of being, or characteristics.

• Verbs: Run, jump, sing, is, are, was, were, become
• Everything else: Objects, adverbs, prepositional phrases, etc.

Identifying the Predicate:

Once you've identified the subject, everything else in the sentence is typically the predicate. The predicate always contains a verb.

Examples:

• The dog barked loudly. (What did the dog do? Barked loudly)
• She is a talented musician. (What is she? Is a talented musician)
• The book is on the table. (Where is the book? Is on the table)
• Happiness is a state of mind. (What is happiness? Is a state of mind)

Types of Predicates:

Similar to subjects, predicates also come in different forms:

• Simple Predicate: This is just the main verb.
  • Example: Birds fly.
• Complete Predicate: This includes the main verb and all the words that modify or complete its meaning.
  • Example: Birds fly high in the sky.
• Compound Predicate: This consists of two or more verbs connected by a conjunction (and, or, nor) that share the same subject.
  • Example: John ran and jumped.
  • Example: The cat slept or purred.

The Verb: The Heart of the Predicate

The verb is the most important part of the predicate. It expresses the action, occurrence, or state of being of the subject. Verbs are essential for forming complete sentences. There are two main types of verbs:

• Action Verbs: These verbs describe actions that the subject performs.
  • Examples: Run, jump, sing, write, eat, sleep.
  • Sentence: The children played in the park.
• Linking Verbs: These verbs connect the subject to a word or phrase that describes or identifies the subject. Common linking verbs include forms of "to be" (is, are, was, were, am, been, being), as well as verbs like seem, become, appear, feel, look, taste, smell, sound.
  • Sentence: She is a doctor. (Links "She" to the description "a doctor.")
  • Sentence: The food tastes delicious. (Links "The food" to the description "delicious.")

Phrases and Clauses: Building Blocks of Sentences

Understanding phrases and clauses is crucial for identifying subjects and predicates accurately, especially in more complex sentences.

• Phrase: A group of related words that does not contain both a subject and a verb. Phrases function as a single part of speech (e.g., noun, adjective, adverb).

  • Examples: on the table, after the game, running quickly, very happy.
  • Phrases can be part of either the subject or the predicate.

• Clause: A group of related words that contains both a subject and a verb. There are two main types of clauses:

  • Independent Clause: Expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. It contains a subject and a predicate.
    • Example: The sun is shining.
  • Dependent Clause: Does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence. It relies on an independent clause to form a complete sentence. It also contains a subject and a predicate, but it begins with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., because, although, if, when, since) or a relative pronoun (e.g., who, which, that).
    • Example: Because it is raining, we will stay inside. ("Because it is raining" is the dependent clause; "we will stay inside" is the independent clause.)

Complex Sentences:

Sentences containing one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses are called complex sentences. Identifying the subject and predicate in each clause is crucial for understanding the overall meaning of the sentence.

Example:

• Although the rain was heavy (dependent clause), the game continued (independent clause).

  • Dependent clause: Subject = rain; Predicate = was heavy
  • Independent clause: Subject = game; Predicate = continued

Subject-Verb Agreement: A Fundamental Rule

A crucial aspect of sentence construction is subject-verb agreement. This means that the verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject.

• Singular Subject: Takes a singular verb.
  • Example: The dog barks. (singular)
• Plural Subject: Takes a plural verb.
  • Example: The dogs bark. (plural)

Challenges with Subject-Verb Agreement:

Subject-verb agreement can be tricky in certain situations:

• Compound Subjects: When a compound subject is joined by "and," it usually takes a plural verb.
  • Example: John and Mary are going to the party.
• Compound Subjects with "or" or "nor": When a compound subject is joined by "or" or "nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
  • Example: Either the students or the teacher is responsible.
  • Example: Either the teacher or the students are responsible.
• Indefinite Pronouns: Some indefinite pronouns (e.g., each, every, everyone, someone, nobody) are always singular and take singular verbs. Other indefinite pronouns (e.g., several, few, both, many) are always plural and take plural verbs. Some (e.g., all, some, none, most) can be singular or plural, depending on the noun they refer to.
  • Example: Everyone is going to the concert.
  • Example: Several are interested in the project.
  • Example: All of the cake is gone.
  • Example: All of the cookies are gone.
• Collective Nouns: Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, committee, group) can be singular or plural, depending on whether they are acting as a unit or as individual members.
  • Example: The team is playing well. (The team as a unit)
  • Example: The team are arguing about the strategy. (The individual members of the team)
• Sentences Beginning with "There" or "Here": In these sentences, the subject follows the verb.
  • Example: There is a book on the table.
  • Example: Here are the keys.
• Phrases Between Subject and Verb: Phrases that come between the subject and the verb do not affect subject-verb agreement.
  • Example: The dog, along with his puppies, is sleeping.

Why Understanding Subjects and Predicates Matters

A firm grasp of subjects and predicates is essential for various reasons:

• Improved Writing Skills: It enables you to construct grammatically correct and clear sentences, making your writing more effective and professional.
• Enhanced Reading Comprehension: It allows you to break down complex sentences and understand the relationships between different parts, leading to better comprehension.
• Effective Communication: It ensures that your message is conveyed accurately and unambiguously, avoiding misunderstandings.
• Grammar Proficiency: It forms the foundation for understanding more advanced grammatical concepts, such as sentence types, clauses, and phrases.
• Critical Thinking: It helps you analyze and evaluate the writing of others, identifying strengths and weaknesses.
• Standardized Tests: Many standardized tests, such as the SAT and ACT, include questions that assess knowledge of sentence structure and grammar, including subject-verb agreement.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Misidentifying the Subject: Be careful not to confuse the object of a preposition with the subject of the sentence.
  • Incorrect: In the garden, the flowers grow. (The subject is "flowers," not "garden.")
  • Correct: In the garden, the flowers grow.
• Ignoring Subject-Verb Agreement: Double-check that your verb agrees with its subject in number, especially in complex sentences.
• Overlooking Compound Subjects: Remember that compound subjects joined by "and" usually take a plural verb.
• Forgetting Implied Subjects: In imperative sentences, the subject is "you," even though it's not explicitly stated.
• Failing to Recognize Phrases and Clauses: Phrases and clauses can add complexity to sentences, so it's important to identify them correctly to find the subject and predicate.
• Thinking the First Noun is Always the Subject: The subject can sometimes be found later in the sentence, especially with sentences starting with "Here" or "There".

Practical Exercises

To solidify your understanding of subjects and predicates, try these exercises:

Instructions: Identify the subject and predicate in each sentence. For compound subjects and predicates, identify each part.

1. The cat sat on the mat.
2. John and Mary went to the store and bought some milk.
3. Because it was raining, we stayed inside.
4. Running quickly, the athlete won the race.
5. The book, which was very long, was difficult to read.
6. Everyone is invited to the party.
7. There is a cat on the roof.
8. Go to the store.
9. The team is playing well.
10. Although the sun was shining, it was cold.

Answer Key:

1. Subject: cat; Predicate: sat on the mat
2. Subject: John, Mary (compound); Predicate: went to the store, bought some milk (compound)
3. Dependent Clause: Subject: it; Predicate: was raining; Independent Clause: Subject: we; Predicate: stayed inside
4. Subject: athlete; Predicate: won the race (Running quickly is a participial phrase modifying "athlete")
5. Subject: book; Predicate: was difficult to read (which was very long is a nonrestrictive clause modifying "book")
6. Subject: Everyone; Predicate: is invited to the party
7. Subject: cat; Predicate: is on the roof
8. Subject: (You) - implied; Predicate: Go to the store
9. Subject: team; Predicate: is playing well
10. Dependent Clause: Subject: sun; Predicate: was shining; Independent Clause: Subject: it; Predicate: was cold

Conclusion

Mastering the concepts of subjects and predicates is not merely an academic exercise; it's a fundamental skill that enhances your ability to communicate effectively, comprehend complex texts, and write with clarity and precision. By understanding the roles of these core elements of sentence structure, you can unlock the secrets of language and become a more confident and articulate communicator. Continue practicing identifying subjects and predicates in various texts, and you'll find your understanding and appreciation for the English language growing exponentially. Remember, clear communication starts with a solid foundation in grammar, and understanding subjects and predicates is a crucial cornerstone of that foundation.