Subjects and Predicates
Every complete sentence has a subject that tells who or what it is about and a predicate that tells what the subject does or is.
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Every complete sentence has a subject that tells who or what it is about and a predicate that tells what the subject does or is.
- The subject is the doer
- The predicate contains the verb
- Both are needed for a full sentence
🧠 Quick quiz
Three questions. Score 2 or more to complete the topic.
What is Subjects and Predicates?
Within English, which covers grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, poetry, drama and the skills for clear communication, this topic explains Subjects and Predicates. English topics help you read closely and write with purpose, so each one here explains a skill and shows how it works in a model text.
Check that you can explain Subjects and Predicates in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.
Understanding Subjects and Predicates helps you read texts more closely and write with more control, which earns marks in both reading and writing papers.
Subjects and Predicates in detail
A sentence has a subject, which is who or what the sentence is about, and a predicate, which says something about the subject and includes the verb. In "The tired dogs slept all afternoon", the subject is "the tired dogs" and the predicate is "slept all afternoon".
To find the subject, ask who or what is doing the verb. A simple subject is the main noun, and a complete subject includes its modifiers. The predicate may contain an object or complement. Recognising the two parts helps you spot fragments, such as a group of words with no verb, and fix run-ons and agreement mistakes.
How the interactive helps you understand Subjects and Predicates
Click a step, or use the Previous and Next buttons, to move through the sequence one stage at a time. Auto-play moves on for you.
Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Subjects and Predicates.
Real-life uses and examples
- Spot Subjects and Predicates when you read a poem, story or speech, then explain the effect it creates.
- Use Subjects and Predicates to make your own writing more precise and vivid.
- Support a point about Subjects and Predicates with a short, accurate quotation.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Naming a technique without explaining its effect on the reader.
- Quoting a long passage instead of picking a short, precise phrase.
- Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.
Frequently asked questions about Subjects and Predicates
What is Subjects and Predicates?
Every complete sentence has a subject that tells who or what it is about and a predicate that tells what the subject does or is.
What are the most important points about Subjects and Predicates?
The main points are: The subject is the doer; The predicate contains the verb; Both are needed for a full sentence.
Why is Subjects and Predicates useful?
Understanding Subjects and Predicates helps you read texts more closely and write with more control, which earns marks in both reading and writing papers.
How can I practise Subjects and Predicates?
Open the interactive at the top of this page and change the controls one at a time. Predict the result before each change, then take the three-question quiz. A score of two or more marks the topic as complete on this device.
Which topics are related to Subjects and Predicates?
Related topics in English include Statements, Questions, Commands and Exclamations, Subject-Verb Agreement, Apostrophes.