Definition of a Predicate
In grammar, the predicate is the part of a sentence or clause that tells something about the subject. It includes the verb and everything that follows to describe what the subject does or is. The predicate provides essential information, completing the sentence’s meaning by explaining what the subject is doing or what condition the subject is in.
Components of the Predicate
A predicate can range from a single verb to an extended phrase that includes additional details about the subject’s action or state. There are several key components:
- Verb
- The core of the predicate is the verb, which tells us what the subject is doing or the state of being.
- Example: “She runs.” (The verb is “runs.”)
- Direct Object
- The direct object receives the action of the verb. It answers the question “What?” or “Whom?” after the verb.
- Example: “She reads a book.” (The direct object is “a book.”)
- Indirect Object (optional)
- The indirect object indicates to whom or for whom the action is performed. It typically comes before the direct object.
- Example: “She gave him a gift.” (The indirect object is “him,” and the direct object is “a gift.”)
- Subject Complement
- In sentences with linking verbs, a subject complement follows the verb and provides more information about the subject by describing or renaming it.
- Example: “She is a teacher.” (The subject complement is “a teacher.”)
- Adverbial Modifiers
- Adverbial modifiers provide additional details about the verb, often answering the questions “how,” “when,” “where,” or “why.”
- Example: “She sings beautifully.” (The adverbial modifier is “beautifully.”)
Types of Predicates
- Simple Predicate
- The simple predicate is just the main verb or verb phrase in the sentence.
- Example: “The dog barks.” (The simple predicate is “barks.”)
- Complete Predicate
- The complete predicate includes the verb and all the words that modify or describe it, such as objects, complements, and modifiers.
- Example: “The dog barks loudly at night.” (The complete predicate is “barks loudly at night.”)
- Compound Predicate
- A compound predicate consists of two or more verbs or verb phrases that share the same subject, connected by a coordinating conjunction (such as “and” or “or”).
- Example: “She danced and sang at the concert.” (The compound predicate is “danced and sang.”)
Predicate in Different Sentence Types
- Declarative Sentences
- In declarative sentences, the predicate provides information about the subject.
- Example: “The cat is sleeping on the sofa.” (Predicate: “is sleeping on the sofa”)
- Interrogative Sentences
- In interrogative sentences (questions), the predicate often follows the subject or appears between auxiliary verbs.
- Example: “Where is the cat sleeping?” (Predicate: “is sleeping”)
- Imperative Sentences
- In imperative sentences (commands or requests), the predicate may consist of just a verb or verb phrase, with the subject implied.
- Example: “Close the door.” (Predicate: “close the door”; implied subject is “you”)
- Exclamatory Sentences
- In exclamatory sentences, the predicate often emphasizes strong emotions related to the subject.
- Example: “What a beautiful sunset it is!” (Predicate: “is”)
Predicate vs. Subject
The subject of a sentence tells us who or what the sentence is about, while the predicate tells us what the subject does or is. Together, the subject and predicate form a complete thought, allowing the sentence to convey meaning.
- Example: “The bird (subject) flew across the sky (predicate).”
In this sentence, “The bird” is the subject, and “flew across the sky” is the predicate that tells us what the bird did.
Linking Verbs and Predicate Nominatives
In sentences that use linking verbs (such as “is,” “am,” “are,” “was,” “were”), the predicate often contains a predicate nominative (a noun or pronoun that renames or identifies the subject) or a predicate adjective (an adjective that describes the subject).
- Predicate Nominative: Renames the subject.
- Example: “He is a doctor.” (“Doctor” is a predicate nominative, renaming “He.”)
- Predicate Adjective: Describes the subject.
- Example: “The sky looks blue.” (“Blue” is a predicate adjective, describing “The sky.”)
Common Predicate Errors
- Incomplete Predicate
- A sentence without a complete predicate is incomplete and creates a fragment.
- Incorrect: “The cat on the couch.” (Missing a verb to complete the predicate)
- Correct: “The cat is sitting on the couch.”
- Subject-Predicate Agreement
- The verb in the predicate must agree in number with the subject. A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.
- Incorrect: “The dogs runs fast.”
- Correct: “The dogs run fast.”
- Run-on Predicates
- Sometimes, predicates can be too long or convoluted, making the sentence hard to understand. It’s essential to keep the predicate clear and concise.
- Incorrect: “The boy ran down the street, picked up the ball, threw it to his friend, who then missed the catch, and they started chasing after it again.”
- Correct: “The boy ran down the street and picked up the ball.”
How to Identify the Predicate
To find the predicate in a sentence:
- Identify the verb: Look for the action or linking verb in the sentence.
- Example: “She is writing a letter.” (The verb is “is writing.”)
- Determine what the verb is doing: Look for the words that provide more details about the verb’s action or state.
- Example: “She is writing a letter to her friend.” (The predicate is “is writing a letter to her friend.”)
- Check for objects or complements: The predicate often contains direct or indirect objects or complements that provide additional information about the action or the subject.
- Example: “She gave her friend a gift.” (The predicate is “gave her friend a gift.”)
Examples of Predicates
- Simple Predicate: “She sleeps.”
- Complete Predicate: “She sleeps peacefully at night.”
- Compound Predicate: “She slept and dreamed of her vacation.”
- Predicate with a Direct Object: “She wrote a letter.”
- Predicate with an Indirect Object: “She gave him a book.”
- Predicate with a Predicate Nominative: “He is a teacher.”
- Predicate with a Predicate Adjective: “The flowers smell wonderful.”
Predicate in Complex and Compound Sentences
In complex sentences, the predicate may involve more than one clause, including both independent and dependent clauses.
- Example: “Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk.”
- (Predicate: “decided to go for a walk”)
In compound sentences, there are two or more predicates connected by coordinating conjunctions like “and,” “but,” or “or.”
- Example: “She cooked dinner, and he set the table.”
- (First predicate: “cooked dinner”; second predicate: “set the table”)
Conclusion
The predicate is an essential component of sentence structure, providing the action or description related to the subject. By understanding how to use and identify predicates, you can create sentences that are clear, complete, and grammatically correct. Mastering predicates allows for more effective communication, ensuring that your sentences fully convey the intended meaning.