Subject and Predicate

It’s good to be “in the know” about parts of a sentence

What is a subject?

The subject of a sentence is “who” or “what” the sentence is about

Another way of looking at it is to ask the question: “Who” or “what” is doing the action in the sentence

A subject consists of at least one noun or pronoun (and any describers)

Examples of subjects:

The low-flying planeWeTom and KateEvery single cell-phone-talking motoristThe leader of the clubThe teacher who assigns homework every

night

What is a predicate?

The predicate is the action of the sentence It must include a verb It also includes describers of the action (eg.

adverbs, prepositional phrases) It includes all the words that are not part of

the subject

Examples of Predicates:

flew overhead with great speed will study types of sentences shortly worked on the group project together should consider changing habits insists on regular attendance is not very popular among students!

Subjects and Predicates create complete sentences:

The low-flying plane flew overhead with great speed.We will study types of sentences shortly.Tom and Kate worked on the group project together.Every single cell-phone-talking motorist should

consider changing habits.The leader of the club insists on regular attendance.The teacher who assigns homework every night is not

very popular among students!

Now identify the subject and predicate

1. The large, brown dog chased a cat down the street.

2. We jumped at the chance to go to the movies.

3. The white billowing sails of the clipper ship blew in the ocean breeze.

4. A fine mist of rain wet the spectators in the stands.

5. Balloons burst over the heads of the party-goers.

6. Every motorist on the highway slowed down at the crash site.

7.Too many penalties cost us the game.

8. Mountains of water crashed through the crack in the dam.

9. Airplanes soar over the field and dive toward the crowd.

10. Conjunctions confuse and challenge me.

11. The heavy boxes and delicate vases crashed to the floor.

12. A flock of birds and a herd of antelope moved in the same direction across the plain.

13. You Put that textbook under your desk during the test.

14. Across the mountain climbed the determined mountaineers.

Now try some Newspaper Headlines!

1. Edmonton teacher fired for giving zeroes

2. Grizzly mauls hunter in Northern Alberta

3. Suspect in Quebec triple homicide seen in Ottawa

4. NHL fans clinging to hope of brief lockout

5. Senators forward Jason Spezza joins Swiss league

6. Android popularity swells among Canadian smartphone users

And… some Headline bloopers!

1. Chef throws his heart into helping feed the needy

2. High-speed train could reach valley in five years

3. Police nab student with a pair of pliers

4. Suicide bomber strikes again

5. Killer sentenced to die for second time in ten years

6. Cincinnati dry cleaner sentenced in suit

7. Coroner reports on woman’s death while riding horse

8. Old school pillars replaced by alumni