Subject and Predicate in English Grammar: Definitions, Types, and Examples

Subject and Predicate: In English grammar, every complete sentence is built upon two core components: the subject and the predicate. The subject identifies the person, place, or thing being discussed, while the predicate provides information about that subject. For example, in the sentence, “The dog is sleeping in the sun,” the word dog is the subject. Conversely, the predicate describes the subject's action or state. In the sentence, “The child threw the ball,” the phrase “threw the ball” is the predicate. Read on to master these essential grammatical building blocks.

Definition of Subject and Predicate

Definition of a Subject:

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a subject is defined as the person or thing being discussed, considered, or studied. The Collins Dictionary further clarifies that the subject of a clause is the noun group referring to the entity performing the action expressed by the verb. Traditionally, the subject is the word or phrase that governs the verb, ensuring the two remain in agreement within the clause.

Definition of a Predicate:

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a predicate is the part of a sentence or clause that expresses what is said about the subject, typically consisting of a verb along with any necessary objects, complements, or modifiers. Similarly, the Cambridge Dictionary defines a predicate as the portion of a sentence that contains the verb and provides details regarding the subject.

Subject and Predicate Examples

The subject identifies “who” or “what” the sentence is about, while the predicate describes what the subject “is” or “does.” Refer to the table below for clear examples to deepen your understanding. 

Subject and Predicate Examples
Examples	Subject in the sentence	Predicate in the sentence
I want a new car.	Here"I" is the subject	“Want a new car” is the predicate.
Miss Rupa is taking the class.	Here" Miss Rupa" is the subject	“ Is taking the class” is the predicate.
The umbrella is blue.	Here “The” is the subject	“ umbrella is blue” is the predicate.
They ate pizza for dinner.	Here “They” is the subject	“ate pizza for dinner” is the predicate.
Students are learning English.	Here" Students" is the subject	“ are learning English” is the predicate.
Rohan has a nice collection of marbles	Here “Rohan” is the subject	“has a nice collection of marbles” is the predicate.
She is knitting a sweater.	Here" She" is the subject	“ is knitting a sweater” is the predicate.
Mother is going to the temple.	Here “Mother” is the subject	“is going to the temple” is the predicate.
The child is waiting for his father	Here “The Child” is the subject	“is waiting for his father” is the predicate.
The dog took the ball of thread.	Here"The dog" is the subject	“took the ball of thread” is the predicate.
The lion was hungry.	Here"The lion" is the subject	“was hungry” is the predicate.
The mother and the daughter were happy to hear the news.	Here"The mother and the daughter" is the subject	“were happy to hear the news” is the predicate.
Shyam and Ram have been selected.	Here"Shyam and Ram" is the subject	“have been selected” is the predicate.
You and he should leave this place at once.	Here"You and he" is the subject	“should leave this place at once” is the predicate.
The poor man had nothing to eat.	Here"The poor man" is the subject	“had nothing to eat” is the predicate.
Life means fun.	Here"Life " is the subject	“means fun” is the predicate.
Her grandmother cooks food in the kitchen.	Here"Her grandmother" is the subject	“cooks food in the kitchen” is the predicate.
Diamond cuts diamond.	Here"Diamond" is the subject	“ cuts diamond” is the predicate.
She punched the filthy boy.	Here" She" is the subject	“punched the filthy boy” is the predicate.
Please give me some money.	Here"Please" is the subject	“give me some money” is the predicate.

Types of Subject and Predicate

Types of Subjects

The subject represents the noun or noun phrase performing the action or being described. Generally, subjects can be categorized into three main types:

1. Simple Subject
2. Complete Subject
3. Compound Subject

Types of Subject
Types	Meaning	Example
Simple Subject	Part of the sentence which has only subject	Jhanvi is playing the guitar and singing at the party.
Complete Subject	Part of the sentence has a subject with a modifier.	The old man took a deep breath and then started the story.
Compound Subject	Part of the sentence has two or more subjects joined with the help of a conjunction	Cricket and Football are my favorite sports.

Types of Predicates 

The predicate is the essential part of the sentence that conveys information about the subject. Predicates are categorized into three primary types:

1. Simple Predicate
2. Complete Predicate
3. Compound Predicate

Types of Predicate
Types	Meaning	Example
Simple Predicate	Part of the sentence has only a verb.	The dog is running through the empty field.
Complete Predicate	Part of the sentence has verbs with a modifier.	Rohan and his sister Suzanne never wanted costly gifts but preferred simple things.
Compound Predicate	Part of the sentence has two or more verbs with a conjunction.	I love the way he plays the guitar, but his singing makes my ears bleed.

Difference Between Subject and Predicate

In English, every sentence is constructed from these two fundamental components. While the subject provides the focal point of the discussion, the predicate provides the necessary context and action regarding that subject.

Difference Between Subject and Predicate
Subject	Predicate
Part of the sentence that tells what or whom the sentence is about	Part of the sentence that tells what the subject in the sentence is doing
A subject tells"Who" or “What" in the sentence is all about	The Predicate tells what the subject “is” or “does”.
The subject can only be an object i.e. noun or pronoun	The predicate will contain verbs to tell what the subject is doing.
Common Types of Subjects: Simple Subject (only noun) Complete Subject( noun with a modifier) Compound Subject (two or more nouns joined with a conjunction)	Common Types of Predicates  Simple Predicate (only verb) Complete Predicate (verb with a modifier) Compound Predicate (two or nouns joined with conjunction)

Exercises: Subject and Predicate 

Identify the subject and the predicate in the following sentences:

1. The sun was shining brightly.
2. The dogs were barking loudly.
3. The pretty girl was wearing a blue frock.
4. My younger brother serves in the army.
5. The man and his wife were working in their garden.
6. My mother and my aunt are trained, classical dancers.
7. You don’t have to wait for me.
8. We will no longer tolerate this.
9. The little tree was covered with needles instead of leaves.
10. A rich merchant was passing by the shoemaker’s window.

Answers

• The sun (subject) / was shining brightly (predicate).
• The dogs (subject) / were barking loudly (predicate).
• The pretty girl (subject) / was wearing a blue frock (predicate).
• My younger brother (subject) / serves in the army (predicate).
• The man and his wife (subject) / were working in their garden (predicate).
• My mother and my aunt (subject) / are trained classical dancers (predicate).
• You (subject) / don’t have to wait for me (predicate).
• We (subject) / will no longer tolerate this (predicate).
• The little tree (subject) / was covered with needles instead of leaves (predicate).
• A rich merchant (subject) /was passing by the shoemaker’s window (predicate).