Simple Predicate | Simple Predicate Examples and Predicate Definition

A simple predicate is a verb or verb phrase—and that’s all. It doesn’t give any more information about the verb or verb phrase, which is why the predicate is considered “simple.” To identify a simple predicate in a sentence, ask yourself what the subject does or is, but remember to focus only on the verb or verb phrase itself.

When we want to know what a subject does or is, we look at the predicate in a sentence. A predicate can either be simple or complete. What is a simple predicate? Read on for some helpful examples.

Simple Predicate Examples:

A Verb as a Simple Predicate

Simple Predicate Example: I saw a hawk out the window.

(What did I do? I saw a hawk out the window. Saw is the simple predicate.)

What is a Simple Predicate?

(What did the movie do? It featured salsa dancing. Featured is the simple predicate.)

Simple Predicate Example: They went to a play on Saturday afternoon.

(What did they do? They went to a play on Saturday afternoon. Went is the simple predicate.)

Simple Predicate Examples

(What did Emily do? She returned from her trip to Japan. Returned is the simple predicate.)

Simple Predicate Example: Blue is my favorite color.

(What is blue? It is my favorite color. Is is the simple predicate.)

Simple Predicate Example: The hike was five miles long.

(What was the hike? It was five miles long. Was is the simple predicate.) Verbs Phrases as Simple Predicates

Simple Predicate Example: Miles was helping his dad in the garage.

(What was Miles doing? He was helping his dad in the garage. Was helping is the simple predicate.)

Simple Predicate Example: The cake had been baking for almost an hour.

(What had the cake been doing? It had been baking for almost an hour. Had been baking is the simple predicate.)

Simple Predicate Example: We are going to the art museum.

(What are we doing? We are going to the art museum. Are going is the simple predicate.)

Simple Predicate Example: The baby is taking a nap.

(What is the baby doing? The baby is taking a nap. Is taking is the simple predicate.)

Simple Predicate Example: The fundraiser had been a great success.

(What had the fundraiser been? It had been a great success. Had been is the simple predicate.)

Simple Predicate Example: Mom did enjoy the game a lot.

(What did Mom do? She did enjoy the game a lot. Did enjoy is the simple predicate.)

Modifiers Within a Simple Predicate Modifiers will often interrupt a verb phrase in a sentence. These modifiers are not part of the verb phrase and, therefore, are not part of the simple predicate either. Be sure to exclude modifiers when identifying a verb phrase as a simple predicate.

Simple Predicate Modifier Examples:

Simple Predicate Example: Lightning bugs will often appear in the sky on summer nights.

(The simple predicate is will appear. Often is a modifier, not a verb, and isn’t part of the simple predicate.)

Simple Predicate Example: They did not get to the airport on time.

(The simple predicate is did get. Not is a modifier, not a verb, and isn’t part of the simple predicate.)

Simple Predicate Example: The family has frequently taken trips to go skiing.

(The simple predicate is has taken. Frequently is a modifier, not a verb, and isn’t part of the simple predicate.)