Predicate

In this article, we explain the concept of a predicate in a simple way. A predicate is the part of a sentence that tells us what the subject is doing or describes the subject further. It usually includes a verb, and sometimes an object or other words that complete the thought. Predicates can be simple (just a verb), compound (with multiple verbs), or complete (with extra details). The predicate should agree with the subject in terms of number (singular/plural). Modifiers are words that give extra detail to the predicate, and sometimes predicates can form predicate clauses in more complex sentences. We also highlight common mistakes, such as when the verb doesn't match the subject or when modifiers are placed incorrectly.

Definition of Predicate

A predicate is the part of a sentence that tells something about the subject. It usually contains the 'verb' and provides information about what the subject is doing or what is happening to it.

A predicate is the part of a sentence or clause that expresses an action, condition, or state of being about the subject.

Examples:

• She runs every morning
• The dog is barking loudly
• They have finished their homework

Types of Predicate

Simple Predicate: A simple predicate is the main verb or action word in a sentence that tells what the subject is doing or what is happening to the subject. It does not include any modifiers or additional details; it’s just the verb or verb phrase that describes the action or state of being. For example:

• The dog barked loudly.
• She smiled at the gift.
• They ran across the field.
• He studied all night.
• The baby cried for food.

Complete Predicate: A complete predicate is the part of a sentence that tells what the subject does or what happens to the subject. It includes the verb and all the words that modify or explain the verb, giving full information about the action or state of being.

• The cat slept on the windowsill.
• She is studying for her exams.
• The children played outside all afternoon.
• The teacher explained the lesson clearly.
• He will be traveling to Paris next week.

Compound Predicate: A compound predicate is when two or more verbs (or verb phrases) share the same subject in a sentence. These verbs are joined by a conjunction, typically 'and' or 'or'. Each verb describes an action performed by the same subject.

• She sang and danced at the party.
• John read the book and wrote a summary.
• The children played in the park and ate ice cream.
• I went to the store and bought some groceries.
• They watched the movie and talked about it afterward.

Components of a Predicate

A predicate is one of the two main components of a sentence, the other being the subject. It expresses what the subject does or what happens to the subject. A predicate typically consists of the following components:

Verb: This is the core of the predicate and indicates the action or state of being.

• She runs every morning.

Auxiliary Verbs: These are verbs that accompany the main verb to modify its meaning or tense (have, be, will, do).

• She is running right now.

Object: The object receives the action of the verb. It can be a direct object (the receiver of the action) or an indirect object (the recipient of the action).

• She kicked the ball.
• She gave him a gift.

Complement: This is a word or phrase that completes the meaning of the verb, often providing more information about the subject or object.

• She seems happy.
• They named their child John.

Adverbial Phrase: This part provides more detail about the action (e.g., where, when, how, or to what extent).

• She runs in the park every morning.

Predicate in Different Sentence Structures

The predicate is the part of a sentence that provides information about the subject, typically containing a 'verb' and sometimes additional details like objects, complements, or modifiers. Here’s how the predicate functions in different sentence structures:

• Simple Sentences - She sings beautifully.
• Compound Sentences - He plays football, and she enjoys basketball.
• Complex Sentences - She smiled when she saw the surprise.
• Compound-Complex Sentences - He studied hard because he wanted to pass, and he succeeded.
• Interrogative Sentences - Where did she go?
• Imperative Sentences - Close the door!
• Exclamatory Sentences - What a beautiful place this is!

Identifying Predicates in Sentences

A predicate in a sentence tells us what the subject does or describes something about the subject. It typically includes a verb and may also include objects, complements, or modifiers.

Steps to Identify a Predicate in a Sentence:

• Find the Subject – Identify who or what the sentence is about.
• Find the Verb – The verb expresses an action or state of being.
• Identify the Rest of the Sentence – Everything apart from the subject is part of the predicate.

Examples

• She runs every morning.
  • Subject: She
  • Predicate: runs every morning
• The cat is sleeping on the couch.
  • Subject: The cat
  • Predicate: is sleeping on the couch
• My brother loves playing soccer.
  • Subject: My brother
  • Predicate: loves playing soccer

Predicate Agreement with Subject

Predicate agreement with the subject refers to ensuring that the verb in a sentence matches the subject in both number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third).

Basic Rules of Predicate-Subject Agreement:

• Basic Sentence:
  • She sings.
    (Predicate: 'sings')
• Expanded with an Adverb:
  • She sings beautifully.
    ('beautifully' modifies 'sings')
• Expanded with a Prepositional Phrase:
  • She sings in the choir.
    ('in the choir' provides additional context)
• Expanded with a Subordinate Clause:
  • She sings whenever she is happy.
    ('whenever she is happy' explains the condition)
• Expanded with Multiple Modifiers:
  • She sings beautifully in the choir whenever she is happy.

Predicate Expansion with Modifiers

Predicate Expansion with Modifiers refers to enhancing the meaning of a predicate by adding modifiers such as adjectives, adverbs, prepositional phrases, or subordinate clauses. This technique makes sentences more informative and precise.

Examples of Predicate Expansion with Modifiers:

• Basic Sentence:
  She sings.
  (Predicate: 'sings')
• Expanded with an Adverb:
  She sings beautifully.
  ('beautifully' modifies 'sings')
• Expanded with a Prepositional Phrase:
  She sings in the choir.
  ('in the choir' provides additional context)
• Expanded with a Subordinate Clause:
  She sings whenever she is happy.
  ('whenever she is happy' explains the condition)
• Expanded with Multiple Modifiers:
  She sings beautifully in the choir whenever she is happy.

Predicate Clauses in Complex Sentences

A predicate clause in a complex sentence is a dependent (subordinate) clause that functions as part of the predicate. It provides additional information about the action or state described in the main (independent) clause. Predicate clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions such as because, although, since, when, if, while, unless, until, etc.

Examples of Predicate Clauses in Complex Sentences:

• She stayed home (main clause) because she was feeling sick (predicate clause).
• I will call you (main clause) when I arrive at the airport (predicate clause).
• He didn't go to the party (main clause) since he had a lot of work to do (predicate clause).
• We can go for a walk (main clause) if it stops raining (predicate clause).

Common Errors with Predicates

Predicates are essential parts of sentences, containing the verb and providing information about the subject. However, errors with predicates can make sentences confusing or grammatically incorrect. Here are some common errors:

Subject-Predicate Agreement Errors: The predicate does not agree with the subject in number.

• Example:
  ✘ She go to the market every day.
  ✓ She goes to the market every day.

Incomplete Predicate: The sentence lacks a complete predicate, making it a fragment.

• Example:
  ✘ The children playing in the park.
  ✓ The children are playing in the park.

Mismatched Verb Tense in Predicate: The verb tense in the predicate does not match the context of the sentence.

• Example:
  ✘ Yesterday, he go to the store.
  ✓ Yesterday, he went to the store.

Run-on Sentences with Multiple Predicates: Multiple predicates are combined improperly without correct punctuation or conjunctions.

• Example:
  ✘ She finished her work she went to the gym.
  ✓ She finished her work, and then she went to the gym.

Predicate Without a Clear Subject: The predicate appears without a clear subject, making the sentence unclear.

• Example:
  ✘ Ran to the store quickly.
  ✓ She ran to the store quickly.

Overuse of Passive Voice in Predicate: Excessive use of passive voice can make writing weak or unclear.

• Example:
  ✘ The book was read by the students.
  ✓ The students read the book.

Double Negatives in the Predicate: Two negatives in the predicate create a confusing meaning.

• Example:
  ✘ He didn’t do nothing.
  ✓ He didn’t do anything.