Predicate And Simple Predicate Examples

Understanding Predicates and Simple Predicates: A Comprehensive Guide

Predicates are the backbone of a sentence, telling us what the subject does or is. Understanding predicates, particularly simple predicates, is crucial for mastering sentence structure and writing clear, effective communication. This comprehensive guide will delve into the definition of predicates and simple predicates, providing numerous examples to solidify your understanding. We'll also explore different types of predicates and address frequently asked questions. By the end, you'll be confidently identifying and using predicates in your own writing.

What is a Predicate?

In grammar, the predicate is the part of a sentence that tells us something about the subject. It contains the verb and any other words that modify or complete the meaning of the verb. Think of it as the action or state of being attributed to the subject. The predicate answers questions like: What does the subject do? What is the subject like? What happens to the subject?

For example, in the sentence "The cat sat on the mat," the subject is "The cat," and the predicate is "sat on the mat." The predicate tells us what the cat did (sat) and where it sat (on the mat).

What is a Simple Predicate?

A simple predicate is the main verb of the sentence. It's the core action or state of being, stripped down to its essential form. It's the verb, without any modifiers or complements.

Let's revisit our example: "The cat sat on the mat." The simple predicate is just "sat." The words "on the mat" are part of the complete predicate, but not the simple predicate.

Identifying Simple Predicates: Examples

Let's explore a variety of sentences and pinpoint their simple predicates:

• The dog barked loudly. Simple predicate: barked
• She sings beautifully. Simple predicate: sings
• They are playing soccer. Simple predicate: are playing (Note: "are playing" is a verb phrase acting as the simple predicate)
• He wrote a letter. Simple predicate: wrote
• The sun shines brightly. Simple predicate: shines
• We laughed heartily. Simple predicate: laughed
• The flowers bloomed in spring. Simple predicate: bloomed
• She is a doctor. Simple predicate: is (This is a linking verb, acting as the simple predicate)
• The cake tastes delicious. Simple predicate: tastes (Another linking verb as the simple predicate)
• He became a teacher. Simple predicate: became (Another linking verb example)
• The birds flew south for the winter. Simple predicate: flew
• The children slept soundly. Simple predicate: slept
• The rain fell softly. Simple predicate: fell
• My friend helped me with my homework. Simple predicate: helped
• She will travel to Europe next year. Simple predicate: will travel (Auxiliary verb included)
• They have finished their project. Simple predicate: have finished (Auxiliary verb included)
• The book is on the table. Simple predicate: is
• The movie was exciting. Simple predicate: was
• The music sounds wonderful. Simple predicate: sounds
• The pizza smells amazing. Simple predicate: smells

Distinguishing Between Simple and Complete Predicates

It's crucial to differentiate between the simple predicate and the complete predicate. The complete predicate includes the simple predicate (the verb) and all the words that modify or complete its meaning.

Let's use some examples to illustrate this difference:

Sentence: The bird sang sweetly in the morning.

• Simple Predicate: sang
• Complete Predicate: sang sweetly in the morning

Sentence: My brother runs very fast.

• Simple Predicate: runs
• Complete Predicate: runs very fast

Sentence: She is a talented musician.

• Simple Predicate: is
• Complete Predicate: is a talented musician

Sentence: The students are studying diligently for the exam.

• Simple Predicate: are studying
• Complete Predicate: are studying diligently for the exam

Types of Predicates and their Simple Predicates

While the simple predicate always centers on the main verb, the complete predicate can take different forms, depending on the type of sentence and the role of the verb. This impacts how we identify the simple predicate:

• Action Verb Predicates: These predicates describe actions performed by the subject. The simple predicate is the action verb. Example: The chef prepared a delicious meal. (Simple Predicate: prepared)

• Linking Verb Predicates: These predicates connect the subject to a word or phrase that describes or identifies it (a predicate nominative or predicate adjective). The simple predicate is the linking verb (forms of to be, seem, appear, become, feel, smell, taste, sound, look etc.). Example: The flowers smell sweet. (Simple Predicate: smell)

• Compound Predicates: A sentence can have more than one simple predicate, forming a compound predicate. Each verb forms a separate simple predicate. Example: She sang and danced at the party. (Simple Predicates: sang, danced)

• Predicate Nominatives: This refers to a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and renames the subject. The simple predicate is the linking verb. Example: My best friend is a doctor. (Simple Predicate: is)

• Predicate Adjectives: This refers to an adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject. The simple predicate is the linking verb. Example: The cake tastes delicious. (Simple Predicate: tastes)

Identifying Simple Predicates in Complex Sentences

In complex sentences (sentences with multiple clauses), each independent clause will have its own simple predicate. Here’s how to identify them:

Sentence: Because it was raining, the game was postponed.

• Independent Clause 1: Because it was raining (Simple Predicate: was raining)
• Independent Clause 2: the game was postponed (Simple Predicate: was postponed)

Sentence: Although she studied hard, she still failed the exam.

• Independent Clause 1: Although she studied hard (Simple Predicate: studied)
• Independent Clause 2: she still failed the exam (Simple Predicate: failed)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can a simple predicate consist of more than one word?

A: Yes, sometimes. This occurs with verb phrases, where a helping (auxiliary) verb combines with the main verb to form the simple predicate. For example, in "She is singing," the simple predicate is "is singing," even though it's a two-word phrase.

Q: What's the difference between a verb and a simple predicate?

A: A verb is a word that expresses action or a state of being. The simple predicate is the verb (or verb phrase) that forms the core of the predicate in a sentence. Essentially, the simple predicate is the main verb acting within its sentence role.

Q: How do I identify the simple predicate in a sentence with a compound verb?

A: A compound verb consists of two or more verbs joined by a conjunction (like and, or, but). Each verb is a separate simple predicate. For example, in "He ran and jumped, the simple predicates are ran and jumped.

Q: What if the sentence is an imperative sentence (command)?

A: In imperative sentences, the subject (you) is often implied, and the simple predicate is the verb. For example, in "Close the door," the simple predicate is Close.

Q: Can a prepositional phrase be part of the simple predicate?

A: No. Prepositional phrases modify verbs, but they are not part of the simple predicate. They are part of the complete predicate.

Conclusion

Mastering the identification and understanding of predicates, especially simple predicates, is fundamental to improving your grammatical skills and writing ability. By carefully examining the verb (or verb phrase) and its relationship to the subject, you can confidently dissect any sentence and determine its simple predicate. Remember to differentiate between the simple predicate (the core verb) and the complete predicate (including all modifiers and complements). With practice and the guidelines provided here, you'll be well-equipped to analyze and construct grammatically sound and clear sentences. The key is consistent practice and careful attention to the role each verb plays within its respective sentence. Through further exploration and focused analysis of different sentence structures, you will solidify your understanding of predicates and their importance in English grammar.