Predicate

All sentences are divided into two parts: the subject and the predicate. Being able to identify the subject of a sentence is important, but it’s equally important to know the predicate.

What Is a Predicate?

Predicate Definition : a sentence or clause that says something about the subject. A predicate can be a verb or verb phrase, in which case it is called a simple predicate. A predicate can also be a verb or verb phrase plus all the words that give more information about it. The predicate is then called a complete predicate. To identify the predicate, ask yourself what the subject does or is.

Simple Predicate Examples:

What is a Simple Predicate?

(What did the softball player do? Scored. Scored is the simple predicate.)

Simple Predicate Example: Juan paints.

(What does Juan do? Paints. Paints is the simple predicate.)

Simple Predicate Example: The ball bounced.

(What did the ball do? Bounced. Bounced is the simple predicate.)

 

Complete Predicate Examples

Predicate Examples

(What did the lawyer do? Defended her client. Defended is the simple predicate. Defended her client is the complete predicate.)

Predicate Example: Marguerite swam to the shore.

(What did Marguerite do? Swam to the shore. Swam is the simple predicate. Swam to the shore is the complete predicate.)

Predicate Example: Zack is a great chess player.

(What is Zack? He is a great chess player. Is is the simple predicate. Is a great chess player is the complete predicate.)

Predicate Example: Mysteries are my favorite books.

(What are mysteries? They are my favorite books. Are is the simple predicate. Are my favorite books is the complete predicate.)

Predicate Example: Leah is studying in her bedroom.

(What is Leah doing? She is studying in her bedroom. Is studying is the simple predicate. Is studying in her bedroom is the complete predicate.)

Predicate Example: The birds chirped in their nest.

(What did the birds do? Chirped in their nest. Chirped is the simple predicate. Chirped in their nest is the complete predicate.)

Compound Predicate

In the predicate examples above, the subjects either perform just one action or are just one thing. But what happens when a subject does or is more than that? In these instances, a writer uses a compound predicate to describe the actions in a sentence. A compound predicate consists of two or more verbs or verb phrases that share the same subject and are joined by a conjunction. A compound predicate may also include additional words that give more information about verbs or verb phrases in the sentence. Although a conjunction joins the verbs or verb phrases, it is not considered part of the compound predicate.

Compound Predicate Examples:

Compound Predicate Example: Ari collected the recyclables and put them in the bin.

(What did Ari do? He collected the recyclables and put them in the bin. Collected the recyclables and put them in the bin make up the parts of the compound predicate.)

Compound Predicate Example: The politician tried to beat his opponent but failed.

(What did the politician do? He tried to beat his opponent but failed. Tried to beat his opponent and failed make up the parts of the compound predicate.)

Compound Predicate Example: My mother is a great piano player and is also an amazing singer.

(What is my mother? She is a great piano player and is also an amazing singer. Is a great piano player and is also an amazing singer make up the parts of the compound predicate.)

Why are Predicates Important?

Without a predicate, a sentence is left with only a subject and, therefore, is incomplete.

What Are Predicate Nominatives and Predicate Adjectives?

Predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives are subject complements. Subject complements are words or groups of words that follow a linking verb or verb phrase and either rename or describe the subject of a sentence.

A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that renames, identifies, or defines the subject.

Predicate Nominative Examples:

Predicate Nominative Example: Toy Story is a movie from 1995.

(What is Toy Story? It is a movie. Movie is the predicate nominative; it identifies Toy Story.)

Predicate Nominative Example: Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers.

(Who is Aaron Rodgers? He is the quarterback. Quarterback is the predicate nominative; it identifies Aaron Rodgers.)

Predicate Nominative Example: Koalas are marsupials that live in Australia.

(What are koalas? They are marsupials. Marsupials is the predicate nominative; it identifies koalas.)

Predicate Nominative Example: A predicate adjective describes the subject of a sentence.

Predicate Adjective Examples:

Predicate Adjective Example: Peaches are juicy and sweet.

(What are peaches? They are juicy and sweet. Juicy and sweet are the predicate adjectives; they describe peaches.)

Predicate Adjective Example: Puzzles can be difficult.

(What can puzzles be? They can be difficult. Difficult is the predicate adjective; it describe puzzles.)

Predicate Adjective Example: I feel better today.

(How do I feel? I feel better. Better is the predicate adjective; it describes I.)

Why Are Predicate Nominatives and Predicate Adjectives Important?

Predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives provide important details about the subject.

View more information on predicates and related topics to help further your understanding of using predicates in writing!

Related Topics:
What is a Simple Predicate?
What is a Complete Predicate?
What is a Compound Predicate?
What is a Predicate Adjective?
What is a Predicate Nominative?
Subject and Predicate Worksheets
Parts of a Sentence Terms
All Language Arts Terms