Subject and Predicate & Kinds of Sentences

Subject and Predicate

                                                                       Courtesy: Cordova Learning Series

A sentence has two parts:

(a) Subject

(b) Predicate

eg: Rahul likes playing football.

This is a sentence that makes complete sense.

'Rahul' is the subject because the sentence is about Rahul.

'likes playing football' is the predicate because it tells us about the subject 'Rahul'.

• The part of the sentence that tells us what or whom the sentence is about is called the subject.

• The part of the sentence that tells us something about the subject is called the predicate.

Eg: The players are not tired.

Subject : The players       Predicate: are not tired

• The predicate always includes the verb.

More examples to understand subject and predicate

1) The boy was chasing a cat

Subject: The boy predicate: was chasing a cat

2) Suraj is sleeping.

Subject : Suraj     Predicate: is sleeping

• The subject may have only one or more than a word.

Subject in commands

(i)Come here  (ii) Don't talk

In these sentences, the subject is not mentioned.

The subject is actually 'you' and the sentences actually read like the following:

(i) You come here  (ii)You don't talk

In all commands, the subject is 'you' which is not mentioned in the sentence but is understood.

Subject in questions

The subject usually comes before the predicate. But, in questions, subjects come after predicates.

Eg: (i) Where is mother ?

Subject : mother Predicate: Where is

(ii) Who are you ?

Subject : you  Predicate: Who are

Let's revise

• A sentence has two parts : subject and predicate

• In commands, the subject is 'you' which is not mentioned but implied.

• In questions and exclamatory sentences, predicates usually come before the subjects.

Kinds of Sentences

There are four kinds of sentences.

1) Statements

2) Interrogative sentences

3) Imperative sentences

4) Exclamatory sentences

• A statement says or states something. It begins with a capital letter and ends with a full stop.

Eg: 1) I like water melons.

2) I love to paint pictures.

• An interrogative sentence or question asks something. It begins with a capital letter and ends with a question mark.

Eg: 1) What is your name?

2) Did you meet Mr. Verma?

• An imperative sentence requests, commands or gives directions. It usually begins with a verb. It begins with a capital letter and ends with a full stop.

Eg: 1) Switch off the fan.

2) Please, come to me.

• An exclamatory sentence expresses a strong feeling or emotion. It ends with an exclamation mark.

Eg: 1) What a beautiful picture it is!

2) How fast is she running!