exercises on subject and predicate

Olvin

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02-02-2025

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Understanding the subject and predicate is fundamental to mastering English grammar. The subject tells who or what the sentence is about, while the predicate explains what the subject does or is. These exercises will help you identify subjects and predicates with increasing complexity, solidifying your grammatical foundation.

Exercise 1: Basic Subject-Predicate Identification

Instructions: Identify the subject and predicate in each of the following simple sentences. Underline the subject once and the predicate twice.

1. The dog barked loudly.
2. Birds sing sweetly.
3. The sun shines brightly.
4. Rain falls softly.
5. Flowers bloom beautifully.
6. The cat sleeps soundly.
7. Stars twinkle in the night sky.
8. The river flows swiftly.
9. Children play happily.
10. The wind howls fiercely.

Exercise 2: Compound Subjects and Predicates

Instructions: Identify the compound subjects and/or predicates in the following sentences. Underline each component of the compound subject once and each component of the compound predicate twice.

1. Cats and dogs are popular pets.
2. The chef prepared and served the meal.
3. Maria and John sang and danced.
4. The sun rose and the birds began to chirp.
5. My brother and sister laughed and talked loudly.
6. The students studied and completed their assignments.
7. The team won the game and celebrated their victory.
8. The artist painted and sculpted masterpieces.
9. She read a book and listened to music.
10. He ran quickly and jumped over the fence.

Exercise 3: Sentences with Intervening Phrases

Instructions: Identify the subject and predicate in the following sentences. Note that intervening phrases may appear between the subject and the verb, but they are not part of the subject. Underline the subject once and the predicate twice.

1. The old house, nestled among the trees, stood silently.
2. My friend, a talented musician, plays the piano beautifully.
3. The book, which I borrowed from the library, is fascinating.
4. The car, speeding down the highway, suddenly swerved.
5. The small dog, with its fluffy tail wagging, greeted us enthusiastically.
6. The tall building, located downtown, houses many businesses.
7. The delicious cake, baked by my mother, disappeared quickly.
8. The energetic children, full of excitement, ran towards the park.
9. The vibrant painting, created by a renowned artist, is a masterpiece.
10. The sleepy cat, curled up on the sofa, purred contentedly.

Exercise 4: Identifying Subjects in More Complex Sentences

Instructions: Identify the subject in each of the following sentences. These sentences present slightly more challenge with embedded clauses and phrases. Underline the subject once.

1. Although it rained heavily, the picnic was still enjoyable.
2. Because the dog barked loudly, the burglar ran away.
3. After the movie ended, we went home.
4. Since she was tired, she went to bed early.
5. Before the sun rose, the birds started singing.
6. While I was reading, the phone rang.
7. If you study hard, you will succeed.
8. Unless it snows, we will go hiking.
9. Wherever he goes, he takes his dog.
10. However hard he tries, he cannot succeed.

These exercises provide a structured approach to understanding and identifying subjects and predicates. Remember to practice regularly to improve your grammar skills. Regular practice will make identifying the subject and predicate in even the most complex sentences a breeze.