Subject & Predicate — Advanced Notes (English) Exam-focused • Mobile-first • SEO optimized for rsetu.link

Introduction

Intro (English): Subject and predicate form the nucleus of every clause. This chapter breaks down precise definitions, identification tests, subject types (simple, compound, implied), predicate forms (simple, compound, verbal, nominal), agreement rules, transformations and diagrammatic clause-mapping so the concept becomes unforgettable.

Definitions & Core Theorem

What is a Subject?

The subject is usually the noun or noun phrase that acts as the doer, experiencer, or topic about which something is predicated. It may be explicit (the cat) or implied (imperative sentences: "Sit!").

What is a Predicate?

The predicate includes the verb (finite) and everything that follows to state something about the subject — actions, states, objects, complements and adjuncts.

Theorem-like statement: Every finite clause divides into Subject (S) + Predicate (P). Correct S–P identification is the key to clause parsing, agreement, and transformations (active/passive, question formation, clefting).

Subject Types & Identification Tests

• Simple subject: main noun ("The cat" in "The cat sleeps").
• Complete subject: includes modifiers ("The black cat on the mat").
• Compound subject: two or more subjects joined ("Tom and Jerry").
• Implied subject: imperative mood ("Listen!") — not always overt.
• Noun clause as subject: "What she said surprised us." (entire clause is subject).

Predicate Forms & Formulas

Predicates vary by verb type and complements:

• Simple predicate: the main verb alone — "She runs."
• Compound predicate: multiple verbs sharing the same subject — "She ran and jumped."
• Verbal predicate: verb phrase with auxiliaries — "She has been studying."
• Nominal predicate (linking): subject + linking verb + subject complement — "He is a teacher." Formula: S + be + NP/AdjP.

Subject-Predicate Agreement Rules (Number & Person)

Key rules: finite verb must agree with subject in number and person. Collective nouns, phrases beginning with 'there' (expletive there), and inverted constructions can complicate agreement. Examples and tests provided.

Transformations & Their S–P Effects

Active ↔ Passive: object becomes subject; adjust predicate accordingly. Questions: auxiliary movement changes predicate order. Clefting: moves focus from entire predicate or subject to a new structure. Each transformation requires re-evaluation of S and P.

Diagrams — Replace with inline SVGs

Recommended SVGs: subject–predicate split tree, agreement flowchart, transformation map (active→passive→question). Paste inline SVG markup to replace the placeholders for crisp, zoomable diagrams.

Solved Examples (8 step-by-step)

1. Example 1: Identify S & P: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."
   Solution: Subject: "The quick brown fox" (complete subject). Predicate: "jumps over the lazy dog."
   उपाय: पूर्ण subject आणि predicate ओळखा.
2. Example 2: Imperative sentence: "Close the door." Identify implied subject.
   Solution: Subject: (you) implied. Predicate: "Close the door."
   उपाय: imperative मध्ये 'you' subject समजून घ्या.
3. Example 3: Compound subject agreement: "Bread and butter is/are my breakfast." Choose correct verb.
   Solution: If considered a single dish, use singular 'is'. If two items separately, use 'are'. Context decides agreement.
   उपाय: संदर्भानुसार क्रियापद ठरवा.
4. Example 4: Nominal predicate: "The winner is she." Rewrite naturally.
   Solution: Natural: "She is the winner." Subject and predicate swapped for emphasis.
   उपाय: Linking verb आणि complement ओळखा.
5. Example 5: Passive transformation: "The teacher praised the student." → ?
   Solution: "The student was praised by the teacher." Subject changed; predicate altered to passive structure.
   उपाय: object becomes subject in passive.
6. Example 6: Noun clause subject: "That he lied shocked everyone." Identify S & P.
   Solution: Subject: "That he lied" (noun clause). Predicate: "shocked everyone."
   उपाय: noun clause पूर्णपणे subject म्हणून काम करते.
7. Example 7: Expletive 'there': "There is a man at the door." Find real subject. Solution: Real subject: "a man at the door"; 'There' is expletive. Verb agrees with real subject.
   उपाय: 'there' नंतरचा phrase खरा subject समजून घ्या.
8. Example 8: Compound predicate: "She washed the dishes and dried them." Identify predicates. Solution: Subject: "She". Compound predicate: "washed the dishes" and "dried them."
   उपाय: एक Subject, अनेक predicates शक्य.

Practice Questions (+ Summary Table & Answer Key)

30 minutes practice: identify S & P in varied sentences, handle expletives, convert active/passive, evaluate agreement and implied subjects.

Summary Table (Quick reference)

Answer Key

Exam-focused Tips & SEO Strategy

For exams, practise rapid S–P identification, watch agreement traps (collective nouns, expletives), and master transformations. Use long-tail keyword headings like "subject and predicate notes for SSC" and keep meta unique. JSON-LD Course/Breadcrumb/FAQ included to improve SERP visibility.

Classroom Example (English + Marathi)

English (teacher explains): "To teach subject and predicate, draw a clause as a balance with subject on left and predicate on right. Remove modifiers and ask 'who/what + verb' to reveal the core subject."

Resources & Next steps

Paste inline SVGs for subject–predicate trees and agreement flowcharts and I'll embed them. I can also add 8 advanced worked examples, create printable worksheets, or run keyword research to expand long-tail keywords and optimize headings for rsetu.link.