Grammar Subjects And Predicates Worksheet

Mastering Grammar: A Comprehensive Guide to Subjects and Predicates with Worksheets

Understanding the subject and predicate is fundamental to mastering English grammar. This comprehensive guide provides a clear explanation of these core grammatical components, offering numerous examples and practice worksheets to solidify your understanding. Whether you're a student, teacher, or simply aiming to improve your grammar skills, this resource will equip you with the knowledge and tools to confidently identify and analyze subjects and predicates in any sentence.

Introduction: The Foundation of Sentence Structure

Every sentence, no matter how simple or complex, consists of two main parts: the subject and the predicate. The subject is the who or what the sentence is about, while the predicate tells us what the subject is doing or what is being said about the subject. Mastering these components is crucial for constructing grammatically correct and clear sentences. This guide will walk you through identifying subjects and predicates, dealing with complexities like compound subjects and predicates, and providing ample practice opportunities through included worksheets.

What is a Subject?

The subject of a sentence is the noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that performs the action or is described by the predicate. It's the main actor in the sentence. Let's look at some examples:

• The cat slept on the mat. (The cat is the subject; it performs the action of sleeping).
• She laughed heartily. (She is the subject; she is performing the action of laughing).
• My old bicycle needs repair. (My old bicycle is the subject; it is being described as needing repair).
• The tall, dark stranger entered the room. (The tall, dark stranger is the subject; it describes the person who entered).

Identifying the Subject: Tips and Tricks

Finding the subject can sometimes be tricky, especially in more complex sentences. Here are a few tips to help you:

• Ask "Who?" or "What?": Ask these questions about the verb in the sentence. The answer is usually the subject.
• Look for the verb: The subject is typically positioned before the main verb of the sentence.
• Ignore introductory phrases: Phrases like "In the garden," "After the rain," or "Despite the obstacles" don't contain the subject.
• Beware of inverted sentences: In questions and some other sentence structures, the subject might appear after the verb. For example, in "Is the dog barking?", the dog is the subject.

What is a Predicate?

The predicate is the part of the sentence that contains the verb and tells us what the subject is doing, what is happening to the subject, or what is being said about the subject. It completes the thought started by the subject. It includes the verb and all the words that modify or complete the meaning of the verb.

• The cat slept on the mat. (Slept on the mat is the predicate).
• She laughed heartily. (Laughed heartily is the predicate).
• My old bicycle needs repair. (Needs repair is the predicate).
• The tall, dark stranger entered the room quietly. (Entered the room quietly is the predicate).

Understanding Verb Phrases:

The predicate always includes the verb, but the verb itself can be a single word or a phrase. A verb phrase consists of a main verb and one or more helping verbs (auxiliary verbs).

• The bird is singing. (is singing is the verb phrase; is is the helping verb, singing is the main verb).
• She has been studying all day. (has been studying is the verb phrase).
• They will be leaving soon. (will be leaving is the verb phrase).

Compound Subjects and Predicates

Sentences can have more than one subject or predicate.

• Compound Subject: A sentence with two or more subjects joined by a conjunction (like and, or, nor). Example: John and Mary went to the park.
• Compound Predicate: A sentence with two or more verbs or verb phrases describing the same subject. Example: The chef cooked the meal and served it.

Worksheet 1: Identifying Subjects and Predicates

Instructions: Identify the subject and predicate in each of the following sentences. Write your answers in the space provided.

1. The sun shines brightly.

   • Subject: _____________
   • Predicate: _____________

2. My dog barks loudly.

   • Subject: _____________
   • Predicate: _____________

3. The children played happily in the park.

   • Subject: _____________
   • Predicate: _____________

4. A gentle breeze blew through the trees.

   • Subject: _____________
   • Predicate: _____________

5. The old house stood on a hill.

   • Subject: _____________
   • Predicate: _____________

6. The talented artist painted a beautiful landscape.

   • Subject: _____________
   • Predicate: _____________

7. The cat sat on the mat and purred softly.

   • Subject: _____________
   • Predicate: _____________

8. Birds sang sweetly in the morning and flew gracefully in the afternoon.

   • Subject: _____________
   • Predicate: _____________

9. He reads books and writes stories.

   • Subject: _____________
   • Predicate: _____________

10. The students study diligently and complete their assignments on time.

    • Subject: _____________
    • Predicate: _____________

Worksheet 2: More Complex Sentences

Instructions: Identify the subject and predicate in each of the following more complex sentences. Remember to consider compound subjects and predicates and introductory phrases.

1. After the long journey, the weary travelers finally reached their destination.

   • Subject: _____________
   • Predicate: _____________

2. Despite the heavy rain, the game continued.

   • Subject: _____________
   • Predicate: _____________

3. The small, playful puppy chased its tail relentlessly and barked excitedly at passing cars.

   • Subject: _____________
   • Predicate: _____________

4. Before the sun rose, the birds began their morning chorus and flitted amongst the branches.

   • Subject: _____________
   • Predicate: _____________

5. In the quiet library, the students studied quietly, read intently, and whispered occasionally to each other.

   • Subject: _____________
   • Predicate: _____________

6. Is the dog barking at the mailman?

   • Subject: _____________
   • Predicate: _____________

7. There are many books on the shelf.

   • Subject: _____________
   • Predicate: _____________

8. Here comes the bus!

   • Subject: _____________
   • Predicate: _____________

9. Between the trees, a small deer grazed peacefully.

   • Subject: _____________
   • Predicate: _____________

10. Throughout the night, the wind howled fiercely and the rain beat against the windows.

    • Subject: _____________
    • Predicate: _____________

Understanding Sentence Structure: Beyond Subjects and Predicates

While the subject and predicate are the core components, sentences also include other essential elements such as objects (direct and indirect), complements, and modifiers. These enhance the meaning and provide a more complete picture of the action or state described in the sentence. Understanding these elements further refines grammatical skills.

Direct Object: Receives the action of a transitive verb. Example: She threw the ball. (Ball is the direct object).

Indirect Object: Indicates to whom or for whom the action is performed. Example: He gave her a present. (Her is the indirect object; present is the direct object).

Object Complement: Describes or renames the direct object. Example: They elected him president. (President is the object complement).

Subject Complement: Describes or renames the subject. Example: She is a doctor. (Doctor is the subject complement).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What happens if a sentence has no verb?

A: A sentence without a verb is not grammatically complete. A verb is essential for expressing an action or state of being.

Q: Can a sentence have more than one subject?

A: Yes, a sentence can have a compound subject consisting of two or more subjects joined by a coordinating conjunction like and, or, or nor.

Q: Can a subject be a phrase?

A: Yes, a subject can be a noun phrase, which is a group of words functioning as a noun. For example, "The big red ball" is a noun phrase that acts as the subject.

Q: What if the subject is implied?

A: In imperative sentences (commands), the subject ("you") is often implied but understood. Example: "Close the door." (You is the implied subject).

Q: How do I handle sentences starting with "There" or "Here"?

A: In sentences starting with "There" or "Here," the subject typically follows the verb. Example: "There is a book on the table." (Book is the subject).

Conclusion: Practice Makes Perfect

Mastering the identification of subjects and predicates is a crucial step in understanding sentence structure and improving your overall grammar skills. By consistently practicing with different sentence types and complexities, you'll develop the confidence and accuracy needed to analyze and construct grammatically correct and clear sentences. Remember, the more you practice, the better you'll become. Use these worksheets as a starting point, and don't hesitate to create your own sentences for practice. Continued effort and attention to detail will significantly enhance your grasp of grammar fundamentals.