English grammar of WREN & MARTIN made easy
SUBJECT AND PREDICATE
Exercise 1: Sentences 21–27
21. The early bird catches the worm.
Verb: catches
Ask: Who or what catches? -> The early bird. (Subject)
Predicate: What does the bird do? -> catches the worm.
Explanation: "The early bird" is the complete subject because "early" describes the bird we are talking about.
22. All dogs like to bark.
Verb: like
Ask: Who like to bark? -> All dogs. (Subject)
Predicate: What is said about them? -> like to bark.
23. Addled footsteps echo through the halls. (Note: Some editions may use "Addled" or "Old"; the logic remains the same.)
Verb: echo
Ask: What echo? -> Addled footsteps. (Subject)
Predicate: Where do they echo? -> echo through the halls.
24. Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan.
(Note: This is a repetition in many editions of the book.)
Verb: is
Ask: What is the capital? -> Islamabad. (Subject)
Predicate: is the capital of Pakistan.
25. We should profit by experience.
(Note: Another common repetition in the exercise.)
Verb: should profit
Ask: Who should profit? -> We. (Subject)
Predicate: should profit by experience.
26. Borrowed garments never fit well.
Verb: fit
Ask: What never fit well? -> Borrowed garments. (Subject)
Predicate: What is the characteristic of these garments? -> never fit well.
Explanation: "Borrowed" is an adjective modifying "garments," so it stays with the subject.
27. On the top of the hill lives a hermit.
Verb: lives
Ask: Who lives? -> A hermit. (Subject)
Predicate: Where does he live? -> On the top of the hill lives.
Explanation: This is an inverted sentence. In English, we usually put the subject first, but for poetic or descriptive effect, the subject can come at the end. To find it, always look for the verb (lives) and ask "Who lives?" The answer is "a hermit."
Visual Summary of Subject vs. Predicate
| Sentence # | Subject | Predicate |
| 21 | The early bird | catches the worm |
| 22 | All dogs | like to bark |
| 23 | Addled footsteps | echo through the halls |
| 24 | Islamabad | is the capital of Pakistan |
| 25 | We | should profit by experience |
| 26 | Borrowed garments | never fit well |
| 27 | A hermit | lives on the top of the hill |
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