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Subject and Predicate

Subject and Predicate

Structure of a Sentence

When constructing a sentence, two essential components must be present:

  1. A reference to a person or object.

  2. A statement providing information about that person or object.

In other words, a sentence must contain a subject, which is the entity being discussed, and a predicate, which conveys information about the subject.

Components of a Sentence

Every sentence comprises two fundamental parts:

  1. Subject: The component that identifies the person or object under discussion.

  2. Predicate: The component that provides information about the subject.

Placement of Subject and Predicate

Typically, the subject precedes the predicate. However, in certain cases, the subject follows the predicate, as illustrated in the following examples:

  • "Here comes the bus."

  • "Sweet are the uses of adversity."

Omission of the Subject in Imperative Sentences

In imperative sentences, the subject is often implied rather than explicitly stated. For instance:

  • "Sit down." (The subject "You" is implied.)

  • "Thank him." (The subject "You" is also implied.)

Exercise: Identifying Subject and Predicate

In the sentences below, the subject and predicate are identified separately.

  1. The cackling of geese | saved Rome.

  2. The boy | stood on the burning deck.

  3. Tubal Cain | was a man of might.

  4. Stone walls | do not make a prison.

  5. The singing of the birds | delights us.

  6. Miss Kitty | was rude at the table one day.

  7. He | has a good memory.

  8. Bad habits | grow unconsciously.

  9. The earth | revolves around the sun.

  10. Nature | is the best physician.

  11. Edison | invented the phonograph.

  12. The sea | hath many thousand sands.

  13. We | cannot pump the ocean dry.

  14. Borrowed garments | never fit well.

  15. The early bird | catches the worm.

  16. All matter | is indestructible.

  17. Islamabad | is the capital of Pakistan.

  18. We | should profit by experience.

  19. All roads | lead to Rome.

  20. A guilty conscience | needs no excuse.

  21. The beautiful rainbow | soon faded away.

  22. No man | can serve two masters.

  23. A sick room | should be well aired.

  24. The dewdrops | glitter in the sunshine.

  25. I | shot an arrow into the air.

  26. A barking sound | the shepherd hears.

  27. On the top of the hill | lives a hermit. (Subject follows the predicate)


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