English Grammar - Sentences | English Grammar for Junior Classes - Class 1 PDF Download

Introduction

In English grammar, every sentence is made up of two important parts: 

a) Subject
b) Predicate

Let's learn about subjects and predicates using simple examples to help you form correct sentences!

What is a Subject?

The subject of a sentence is the person, thing, or idea that the sentence is about. It usually tells us who or what is doing the action. A subject can be a noun, noun phrase, or a pronoun.

Examples of subjects:

1. Noun as a Subject:

• Meena is playing football.

  • Meena is the subject (a noun).

2. Subject in Questions:

• Have you done your work?

  • You is the subject (a pronoun).

3. Noun Phrase as a Subject:

• Your room looks lovely.

  • Your room is the subject (a noun phrase).

4. Pronoun as a Subject:

• He is dancing.

  • He is the subject (a pronoun).

5. Subject in Commands/Requests: 

• Tina, come here.

  • Tina is the subject (a noun, though the subject is sometimes not stated directly).

What is a Predicate?

The predicate is the part of the sentence that tells us what the subject is doing or what is happening to the subject. It usually contains a verb (action word) and other words that complete the thought.

1. Examples of predicates:

   1. I love rabbits.

      • The predicate is love rabbits. It tells us what the subject "I" is doing.
        

2. He looks sincere.

   • The predicate is looks sincere, telling us what the subject "He" is like.

3. Rahul is playing cricket.

   • The predicate is is playing cricket, which tells us what the subject "Rahul" is doing.

Putting Subject and Predicate Together

A sentence is formed by combining a subject and a predicate. These two parts help us form a meaningful sentence that tells us what is happening and who or what is involved. The subject is the doer of the action, while the predicate tells us what the subject is doing.

Here are some examples of simple sentences:
Example – 1
We are writing a question.
We + are + writing + a + question
Here, we have used five words to form a sentence.

Example – 2
Children are playing different new games.
Children + are + playing + different + new + games
Here, we have used six words to create a sentence.

Let's Practice!

Q1: Identify the Subject and Predicate.

(i) The cat is sleeping on the couch.

Ans: Subject: The cat, Predicate: is sleeping on the couch

(ii) Sarah sings beautifully.

Ans: Subject: Sarah, Predicate: sings beautifully

(iii) The teacher is explaining the lesson.

Ans: Subject: The teacher, Predicate: is explaining the lesson

(iv) We went to the park yesterday.

Ans: Subject: We, Predicate: went to the park yesterday

(v) They are playing football outside.

Ans: Subject: They, Predicate: are playing football outside

Q2: Underline the subject in the following sentences.

a) The teacher explained the lesson carefully.

Ans: The teacher explained the lesson carefully.

b) The dog barked loudly at the stranger.

Ans: The dog barked loudly at the stranger.

c) We are going to the zoo tomorrow.

Ans: We are going to the zoo tomorrow.

d) The children are playing in the playground.

Ans: The children are playing in the playground.

e) My father reads the newspaper every morning.

Ans: My father reads the newspaper every morning.