A sentence is a group of words which makes complete sense. It has a subject and a predicate.
When we analyze a simple sentence, we have to divide it into two main parts – the subject and the predicate.
Examples are given below.
| Subject | Predicate |
| Dogs | bark. |
| Heats | expands bodies |
| The sun | gives heat and light. |
| Birds | live in nests. |
| The fire | burns. |
| The milk | has turned sour. |
| My mother | bought me a dress. |
The subject denotes the person or thing we are talking about. The predicate is what is said about the subject.
The subject may consist of one word or several words.
The predicate may also consist of one word or several words. When the predicate consists of just one word, that word has to be a verb.
Separate the subject and the predicate in the following sentences.
- The cackling of geese saved Rome.
- The sun rises in the east.
- Buds bloom into flowers.
- We cannot see air.
- Moving air is called wind.
- Parents take care of their children.
- No man can serve two masters.
- The shepherd heard a barking sound.
- The boy stood on the burning deck.
- Smoking is injurious to health.
Answers
- Subject – the cackling of geese; predicate – saved Rome
- Subject – the sun; predicate – rises in the east
- Subject – buds; predicate – bloom into flowers
- Subject – we; predicate – cannot see air
- Subject – moving air; predicate – is called wind
- Subject – parents; predicate – take care of their children
- Subject – no man; predicate – can serve two masters
- Subject – the shepherd; predicate – heard a barking sound
- Subject – the boy; predicate – stood on the burning deck
- Subject – smoking; predicate – is injurious to health