Lesson 7: Subject and Predicate

I. Definition

1) Subject
-A noun phrase functioning as one of the main components of a clause, being the element about which the rest of the clause is predicated.

2) Predicate
-The part of a sentence or clause containing a verb and stating something about the subject (e.g., went home in John went home):

II. Test

Instructions: Identify the subject and predicate in each sentence. Then, explain the reason for your answer.

1) The boy ate the apple.
2) I need help with this math problem.
3) Next week my grandmother is coming from Korea.
4) My favourite month is May.
5) May is my favourite month.
6) Yasmin yawned.
7) My expensive new watch has stopped.
8) Sitting on the roof of my house was a huge black bird.
9) Both my parents have to work at the weekend.
10)  In most English sentences the subject comes before the predicate.
11) In this quiz you have been tested on your knowledge of subject and predicate.
12) That you are alive is something which your mother is proud of.

III. Conclusion

Characteristics of Subject:

1) A subject is always a noun phrase that comes before the predicate. A subject is not an adverb phrase. It is everything that is not predicate. 

Ex.:
a) Next week my grandmother is coming from Korea.

	subject	predicate
		present continuous tense		prepositional phrase
Adverb Phrase	Noun Phrase	Linking Verb	ing verb	preposition	objective of the preposition/noun phrase
Next week	my grandmother	is	coming	from	korea

Next week cannot be a subject because it is an adverb phrase.

2) In a declarative sentence, the Subject comes before the verb.

3) That-clause can function as a subject. Ex.:
 a) That you are alive is something which your mother is proud of.
(the italicized part of this sentence is a that-clause and therefore functions as a subject in this sentence.)


Characteristics of Predicate:

1) A predicate is everything that is not subject. Predicate starts with a verb