What is Subject and Predicate ? (Definition, Examples and Exercises)

Subject and Predicate is a part of sentences. In the previous session, we studied about Definition of a Sentence. If you haven’t read the last article, I personally would like to suggest you read it. OK, let’s start the session.

Basically, a sentence has two parts- the first is subject the second, predicate. Now you must be thinking about these two terms. Isn’t it? Don’t worry, we’ll see that. So, let’s go ahead and see what is subject and predicate i.e. the subject and predicate definition.

Subject and Predicate Definition

Now let’s see the subject first. What is subject of a sentence?

The subject is the main word we speak about in a sentence. It has a noun or pronoun in it.  See the example below –

Monty is eating a mango.

( Here in the above sentence, Monty is the subject of the sentence. Why so? Because it is the main word we are speaking about.)

Now, let’s move on to the second part- predicate.

The predicate is what we speak about the subject. It has a verb in it. See the example below-

Monty is eating a mango.

( Here in the sentence, the red part is the predicate part. Because it is part of what is spoken about the subject.)

Subject and Predicate Examples

Look at the sentences of the following picture.

Some Other Examples

Let us see some more examples based on the patterns of a sentence. a new term has been added. What is it? Pattern. The pattern of a sentence. It is the structure of sentences. Let see how many patterns we can find.

1- There are some sentences which are incomplete. They have an intransitive verb. Their patterns are S-V (Subject-Verb).

Examples-

He will dance. (S-V pattern)

The crow flew away. (S-V pattern)

2- There are some sentences which have transitive verbs. They have the S-V-O pattern (subject-verb-object).

Examples-

He is a loyal patriot of our country.

3- There are some sentences which have subject-verb-subject complement pattern.

Examples-

His mother got him a bike.

She sang a song for them.

4- There are some sentences which have a subject-verb-object complement pattern.

Examples-

How can you hit so hard?

Why do you call him a dog?

Subject and Predicate Exercises

Now, it is practice time. let’s see how we understood the subject and predicate. Below are some sentences explained for you. And further you need to do the exercise by yourself.

Identify the subject and predicate in the following sentences.

1. Lucknow is famous for its beauty of language.
2. He is called the Shakespeare of India.
3. John is working for several months.
4. My wife is not feeling well.
5. They are discussing a topic.

Now let’s identify the subject and depart the predicate in the above sentences. The subject part is written red and the predicate part, black.

1. Lucknow is famous for its beauty of language.
2. He is called the Shakespeare of India.
3. John is working for several months.
4. My wife is not feeling well.
5. They are discussing a topic.

Hope, you’ve found this session very useful. If yes, don’t forget to comment and say thanks. Next comes-

• Kinds of Sentences
• Question Tags
• Phrases and Clauses 
• Sentences Based on Structure

We will study all the above topics in sentences. Till then, keep doing exercises of sentences. See you in the next session.