Subject/Predicate Pair (Quiz)
The Subject Predicate Pair[1]
All clauses must contain a subject and a predicate to be complete. Think of the subject of the clause as the actor in a play. This is usually a noun. Think of the the predicate as the action of the play. This is always a verb. For example,
The actor acts
The dancer dances
The beach is beautiful
The breeze feels good
Notice that the subjects or actors in the above sentences are all nouns, and the actions are all verbs.
The – to be – verb is a linking verb which links the subject of the sentence to an adjective. For example, the linking verb – is – links the subject of the clause – the beach – to the adjective – beautiful. So, all predicates must be a verb even if it is only a linking verb.
While the predicate of a clause must be a verb, the subject of the clause, the actor, may be a phrase. For example, an infinitive phrase can be the subject or actor of the clause.
To learn how to write is easy.
In this example, the subject of the sentence is the infinitive phrase, to learn. The predicate is the linking verb – is.
In addition, a gerund can be the subject of the sentence.
Learning how to write is easy.
Compound subjects
A conjugated verb may have multiple subjects. However, if only one predicate goes with the compound subject, then it is still a single subject/predicate pair. For example, in the clause,
Jack and Jill ran up the hill”,
Jack and Jill / ran
the conjugated verb (the predicate) is ran. Both Jack and Jill preform the action. Thus, the clause contains a plural subject (Jack and Jill) but only one subject/predicate pair.
In addition, a clause may have multiple conjugated verbs. For example, in the clause,
Jack fell down and broke his crown
Jack/ fell down and broke
Jack, a singular noun preforms two actions, fell and broke. Thus, this clause has only one subject/predicate pair.
If a clause contains two separate subject predicate pairs of equal value to the clause, then it is a compound clause. For example,
Jack fell down and broke his crown, and Jill came tumbling after.
Jack fell down and broke his crown.
Jill came tumbling after.
This is a compound sentence because it contains two subject/predicate pairs. Jack is the subject of the verbs, fell and broke, while Jill is the subject of the verb, came tumbling. Since the sentence is a compound sentence, the comma is needed to separate the two independent clauses. Let’s deconstruct the compound sentence.
Deconstruction
Now, let’s deconstruct the first sentence we just discussed.
Jack and Jill (subject)
ran (predicate)
up the hill (Adverbial phrase modifying the verb – where they ran)
to fetch a pail (Adverbial phrase modifying the verb – why they ran up the hill)
of water. (Adjective phrase modifying the noun – pail)
Now, let’s deconstruct the next sentence.
Jack (subject)
fell down (predicate)
and (coordinating conjunction, but no comma is needed because it does not start a new subject/predicate pair)
broke (predicate)
his crown (direct object)
and (coordinating conjunction, and comma is needed because it starts a new subject/predicate pair)
Jill (subject)
Came tumbling (predicate)
after (proposition with an applied object- after Jack)
quiz
This quiz will give you practice identifying the subject/predicate pairs and determine where to place a comma.
Bill went to the beach to get some fresh air, and Susan and Marth met up with him later.
[1] The subject of the sentence will be RED. The Predicate will be YELLOW.