Grammar: Subject and Predicate

Declarative sentence

Makes a statement instead of asking a question or giving orders; usually follows subject+predicate order.

Modifiers

Words that describe the subject or predicate.

Transposed order

When the complete predicate comes before the subject.

Complete sentence

Needs to have a subject, verb, and complete thought.

Subject

Part of the sentence that names who or what the sentence is about.

Predicate

Tells us something about the subject or describes it.

Simple subject

The main noun of the subject (e.g., Alice).

Simple predicate

The main verb of the predicate (e.g., fell).

Complete subject

The simple subject and all its modifiers (e.g., Most birds in the United States…).

Complete predicate

The simple predicate and all its modifiers (e.g., fly well).

Noun phrase

A complete subject.

Verb phrase

A complete predicate.

Compound subject

Two parts to the subject (e.g., Karen and Sharon).

Compound subjects with "and"

Take plural verb form.

Compound subjects with "or," "nor," or "but"

Agree with the nearest verb.

Subject-verb agreement

The subject and verb must still agree even if separated by a word, phrase, or clause.

Prepositional phrase

The subject will never be part of a prepositional phrase.

Indefinite pronoun

When the subject is an indefinite pronoun, use singular verb form.

Plural indefinite pronouns

Some indefinite pronouns that define plurality are considered plural (e.g., many or all when not collective).

Collective nouns

Counted as one and require singular verb form.

Relative pronouns

Used as a subject of an adjective clause; takes singular or plural verb form depending on its antecedent.

When verb/predicate comes before subject

Subject and verb still need to agree (ex. in questions like “Are birds…” or sentences that begin with “There is” or “There are”