"Beth is." Can you tell what's wrong with this sentence? The issue is, that it's not really a sentence at all. This is because every complete sentence must contain two parts: a subject and a predicate, and, in this example, the predicate is incomplete In this explanation, we'll define subject and predicate, and explore how we use them to build grammatically complete sentences.
Subject-Predicate Relationship Definition
Complete sentences must contain a subject and its predicate, but what do those terms mean? Let's take a look at some definitions:
Subject - The subject of a sentence is the person, animal, place, or thing the sentence revolves around. The subject typically does or is something in a sentence and often performs the verb. For example, "Beth is happy."
Predicate - A predicate is the part of a sentence that compliments the subject, i.e. it tells us what the subject is/does. Predicates must contain a verb and can also contain objects and additional words and phrases.
As we mentioned, predicates often contain objects. An object of a sentence is the person, animal, place, or thing on the receiving end of a verb. Let's break down the following sentence as an example: "Josh kicked the ball"
Remember: not all sentences need an object, but they do need a predicate.
When we talk about predicates containing verbs, it can be tempting to think only of action verbs, e.g., kick, run, jump. However, it's important to remember that verbs can be auxiliary verbs too, such as be, have, do, etc.
Notice how the verb 'are' agrees with the plural subject 'they'
Types of Predicates
There are three main types of predicates: simple, compound, and complete.
The predicates of each sentence appear in bold.
Simple predicate = "Scott ran."
Complete predicate = "Scott ran quickly to the store."
Compound predicate = "Scott ran quickly to the store and bought a soda."
Predicates and Verbs
It is possible to have sentences with a simple predicate only, i.e. just a subject and verb. In this case, the verb must be intransitive, meaning it makes sense without an object. For example, "The bird flies."
Other, longer, predicates contain transitive verbs with direct objects, e.g., "The girl ate the cookie." As well as intransitive verbs with modifiers.
Predicates can also serve different purposes in a sentence depending on the type of verb they contain. When the predicate contains an auxiliary (helping) verb, rather than an action verb, we get predicate adjectives and predicate nominatives.
- Predicate adjectives describe the subject, e.g., "She was beautiful."
- Predicate nominatives tell us what the subject is, e.g., "They are players in the soccer team."
Rules of Agreement: Subject and Predicate
When forming sentences, it is essential that the subject and the verb within the predicate 'agree'. This means:
Singular subjects (e.g., he, she, it, Beyonce) agree with singular verbs/verb forms. Singular verbs include the auxiliary verbs is, was, and has. As well as main verbs + -s, e.g., likes, walks, runs, and jumps.
He (single subject) + is handsome (predicate containing singular verb form).
Beyonce (single subject) + has seven studio albums (predicate containing singular verb form).
She likes cheese.
In the park, an old woman exercises. - In this sentence, the order of the sentence has changed and the subject of the sentence (the old woman) doesn't appear first. Don't let this confuse you; the same rules apply.
Plural subjects (e.g., we, they, Beyonce and Jay Z) agree with plural verbs/verb forms. Plural verbs include the auxiliary verbs are, were, and have. As well as main verbs without an -s, e.g., like, walk, run, jump.
They (plural subject) + are on their way (predicate containing plural verb form).
Beyonce and Jay Z (plural subject) + have one studio album (predicate containing plural verb form).
We like pizza.
The women, members of a soccer team, are celebrating. - In this sentence, we can see a whole phrase between the subject (the women) and the verb (are). Don't let phrases like this confuse you, the verb should always match with the main subject.
There are a few exceptions to these rules (of course!). The singular pronouns I and you are accompanied by plural main verbs.
For example,
I sings = Incorrect
I sing - Correct
You is angry = Incorrect
You are angry = Correct
When using the singular pronouns I and you with auxiliary verbs, the general rule remains the same, i.e., singular subjects agree with the singular verb form.
For example,
I are happy = Incorrect
I am happy = Correct
When using the 3rd person singular (i.e. talking about a singular other person), we use the auxiliary verb is.
For example,
He are happy = Incorrect
He is happy = Correct
Although she doesn't appear first in the sentence, the old woman is still the main subject
Here is a list of things to consider and some exceptions to the rules for creating a grammatically correct subject-predicate relationship:
- Don't be misled by phrases or clauses that appear between the main subject and the verb.
- Don't be confused by sentences that have been flipped, i.e., predicate + subject.
- Use the plural verb form when using the singular pronouns I and You.
- Use the singular verb form when subjects are joined with Or/Nor.
- Use the singular verb form for collective nouns, e.g., the herd
- Pay attention to the countable and uncountable nouns, rather than the modifiers. Uncountable nouns agree with singular verb forms.
- Pair indefinite pronouns (e.g., anyone) with singular verb forms.
Subject-Predicate Examples
Now we know what predicates are, the different types, and how to use them successfully, let's look at some further examples and see if we can identify each part of the predicate.
"He ran for the bus"
Subject = He
Simple predicate = ran
Complete predicate = ran for the bus
"She is visiting her parents over spring break"
Subject = She
Simple predicate = is visiting
Complete predicate = is visiting her parents over spring break
"They bought a dog and named it Spot."
Subject = They
Simple predicate = bought, named
Compound predicate = bought a dog, named it Spot
Subject-predicate Relationship - Key takeaways
- Complete sentences must contain a subject and its predicate
- The subject of a sentence is the person, animal, place, or thing the sentence revolves around. On the other hand, a predicate is the part of a sentence that compliments the subject, i.e. it tells us what the subject is/does
- A predicate must contain a verb that 'agrees' with the subject
- As a general rule, single subjects agree with singular verb forms, and plural subjects agree with plural verb forms
- Singular verbs include the auxiliary verbs is, was, and has. As well as main verbs + -s, e.g., likes
- Plural verbs include the auxiliary verbs are, were, and have. As well as main verbs without an -s, e.g., like
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