The subject is what the sentence is about. The predicate tells us what the subject is doing or what the subject is.

Study the examples given below.

• Alice is an architect.

The sentence is about Alice. Here ‘Alice’ is the subject.

The predicate is that part of the sentence which does not include the subject. So, here the predicate is ‘is an architect’.

• We are waiting for them. (Subject: we; Predicate: are waiting for them)

The subject is usually a noun, pronoun, noun phrase or ing form.

• Cats are domestic animals. (Here the subject consists of just one word – cats)
• The cat is sleeping under the tree. (Here the subject consists of two words – an article and a noun)
• The little kitten is playing with his mother. (Here the subject consists of three words – an article, an adjective and a noun)

A sentence usually begins with the subject. However, there are exceptions to this rule.

The predicate will always have a verb. It may also contain other words like adverbs, ing forms or to-infinitives.

Worksheet 1

Identify the subject and the predicate in the following sentences.

1. She didn’t recognize him.

2. I don’t want any more excuses from you.

3. The cat followed the boy.

4. Janet and her cousins live in the same house.

5. It was a difficult problem.

6. The students wrote their exam.

7. The teacher advised them to work hard.

8. All the participants will receive a prize.

9. The baby elephant amused everyone with her antics.

10. A bird lives in that nest.

11. Somebody is standing at the gate.

12. The chief guest gave away the prizes.

13. You are my best friend.

14. The children were jumping up and down.

15. The guests have already arrived.

16. It is going to rain.

17. I dislike dishonest people.

18. My mother is my best friend.

19. I am not going to their party.

20. Things are going to get better.

21. The patient is being treated.

22. The children are playing in the garden.

23. Writing is his job.

24. The mouse was just fooling around.

25. They are proud to have won.

26. The students are doing an experiment in the laboratory.

27. They are waiting for directions.

28. The driver was fined for overspeeding.

29. These flowers have a nice fragrance.

30. My sister is an advocate.

Answers

1. She (subject) / didn’t recognize him (predicate).

2. I (subject) / don’t want any more excuses from you (predicate).

3. The cat (subject) / followed the boy (predicate).

4. Janet and her cousins (subject) / live in the same house (predicate).

5. It (subject) / was a difficult problem (predicate).

6. The students (subject) / wrote their exam (predicate).

7. The teacher (subject) / advised them to work hard (predicate).

8. All the participants (subject) / will receive a prize (predicate).

9. The baby elephant (subject) / amused everyone with her antics (predicate).

10. A bird (subject) / lives in that nest (predicate).

11. Somebody (subject) / is standing at the gate (predicate).

12. The chief guest (subject) / gave away the prizes (predicate).

13. You (subject) / are my best friend (predicate).

14. The children (subject) / were jumping up and down (predicate).

15. The guests (subject) have already arrived (predicate).

16. It (subject) is going to rain (predicate).

17. I (subject) dislike dishonest people (predicate).

18. My mother (subject) is my best friend (predicate).

19. I (subject) am not going to their party (predicate).

20. Things (subject) are going to get better (predicate).

21. The patient (subject) is being treated (predicate).

22. The children (subject) are playing in the garden (predicate).

23. Writing (subject) is his job (predicate).

24. The mouse (subject) was just fooling around (predicate).

25. We (subject) are proud to have won (predicate).

26. The students (subject) are doing an experiment in the laboratory (predicate).

27. They (subject) are waiting for directions (predicate).

28. The driver (subject) was fined for over-speeding (predicate).

29. These flowers (subject) have a nice fragrance (predicate).

30. My sister (subject) is an advocate (predicate).