Predicates
Sentences consist of two basic parts: subjects and predicates.
The subject is a word or word group that tells whom or what the sentence is about.
The predicate is a word or word group that tells something about the subject.
The subject is a word or word group that tells whom or what the sentence is about.
The predicate is a word or word group that tells something about the subject.
SUBJECT PREDICATE
Several birds | perched on the fence.
PREDICATE SUBJECT PREDICATE
Where did | you | put the mail?
The Simple Predicate and the Complete Predicate
The simple predicate may be a one-word verb or a verb phrase.
A verb phrase is a main verb with one or more helping verbs.
The complete predicate includes the simple predicate and all words that modify the simple predicate and complete its meaning.
A verb phrase is a main verb with one or more helping verbs.
The complete predicate includes the simple predicate and all words that modify the simple predicate and complete its meaning.
SIMPLE PREDICATE (VERB)
- To warm them up, the coach gave the team a pep talk.
COMPLETE PREDICATE
- To warm them up, the coach gave the team a pep talk. [To warm them up tells why the coach gave the pep talk. The team and a pep talk are objects that complete the meaning of the verb.]
SIMPLE PREDICATE (VERB)
- Has the mail been sorted today?
COMPLETE PREDICATE
- Has the mail been sorted today? [Today tells when the mail has been sorted.]
SIMPLE PREDICATE (VERB)
- The tide was rising.
COMPLETE PREDICATE
- The tide was rising. [If no words modify or complete the meaning of the simple predicate, the simple predicate and the complete predicate are the same.]
Compound Verbs
Some sentences contain two or more verbs that share the same subject. These verbs are called compound verbs. The parts of a compound verb are usually joined by the conjunction and, but, or or.
EXAMPLES
- The clerk has already opened the cash register and counted the money. [The verbs has opened and counted have the same subject, clerk.]
- Isabella bought a gift but forgot to bring it to the party. [The verbs bought and forgot have the same subject, Isabella.]
Predicates Quiz
Decide whether the underlined word or group of words is a complete predicate, simple predicate, or compound verb.