Main Difference – Subject vs Predicate
Every sentence has a subject and a predicate. Understanding the difference between subject and predicate is the key to writing grammatically accurate, complete sentences. The main difference between subject and predicate is their function; the subject tells us what or who the sentence is about whereas the predicate describes the action performed by the subject.
What is a Subject
Subject is the doer of a sentence; in other words, it is the subject that tells us who or what performs the action denoted by the verb. To find the subject, find the main verb of the sentence first, and then ask the question ‘who’ or ‘what.’ For example,
The child laughed. – Who laughed?
The cat chased the rat – Who chased the rat?
He was killed in a car accident. – Who was killed?
There are three books on the table. – What are on the table?
After the rain, the children ran out to play. – Who ran out?
Alison likes to eat ice cream. – Who likes to eat ice cream?
The students of the Bandera University went on a trip. – Who went on a trip?
The three children ran out to play.
What is a Predicate
Predicate indicates the action performed by the subject. The main verb is the main part of the predicate. In addition, the predicate can contain direct objects, indirect objects, and other various elements. When you separate the subject from a sentence, everything else left belong to the predicate. The predicate is underlined in the following example sentences:
The girls in our office are pretty.
Sally lied to the teacher.
Amir loves to eat ice cream.
Students of Sherwood University went on a field trip.
She stole my books last week.
He went outside to get some air.
What I don’t understand is your indifference to their problems.
She is an excellent teacher, with 26 years of experience.
Amir loves to eat ice cream
Difference Between Subject and Predicate
Function
Subject tells us what or who the sentence is about.
Predicate describes the action performed by the subject.
Action
Subject is the person or thing performing the action.
Predicate indicates the action performed by the subject.
Elements
Subject is usually a noun, pronoun or noun phrase.
Predicate contains the verb, objects, and other elements.
Order
Subject usually precedes the predicate.
Predicate typically comes after the subject.
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