What is a Predicate – Meaning, Usages with Examples

Last Updated : 17 Jan, 2024

A predicate is a word that represents the action but not the subject. A subject can be a Noun or Pronoun. A predicate is a clause that may be dependent or independent. The predicate defines what the subject does in a given sentence. It means a predicate includes all other words like verbs, prepositions, and adverbs but not the subject who does the action. Predicates are the building blocks of a given sentence. Predicate defines the action itself.

For example, She ate something.

She is the subject and the rest is the predicate.

What is a Predicate?

What are the Types of Predicate?

The types of predicates are defined below :

a) Simple Predicate

A simple predicate is one that consists of only a verb. It can be a helping verb or a main verb. It doesn’t contain other words like adverbs, prepositions, or objects. These are the examples given below

1. She is sleeping

Here she is the subject and is sleeping is the predicate which has only the helping verb and the main verb

2. He started his own business

He is the subject and started doing the predicate which has the verb and gerund.

3. They are moving ahead

They are the subject and are moving is the predicate

b) Complete Predicate

Complete Predicate the ones that consist of everything apart from the subject like verbs ( helping or main verb ), conjunctions, modifiers, adverbs, prepositions, and objects as well.

For example :

1. The teacher was very excited to see my result.

The teacher is the subject and was very excited to see my result is the predicate

2. She was listening to the music.

She is the subject and listening to the music is the predicate consisting of object and preposition

c) Compound Predicate

A compound means more than one so it is a predicate that has two main verbs or actions performed by the same subject and shared by the same object. These verbs are attached to a conjunction.

For example :

1. The boy is listening to the song and enjoying the party

Here boy is the subject and two actions are there listening and enjoying. Listening and enjoying the party is the predicate.

2. She helped the poor and offered them some blankets.

She is the subject

Helped and offered are two verbs

Predicate is helping the poor and offering them some blankets is the predicate.

Predicate Adjectives vs Predicate Nominatives

These are the unique types of predicates used with helping verbs like seems, be, and become.

A predicate adjective is one when the words following a linking verb are adjective

Adjectives are those which qualifies noun or pronoun

Predicate Adjectives are the one that tells the quality of a subject or modify the subject.

Example :

1. She is happy to see you.

She is the subject and happy is the Adjective connect with the helping verb ‘is’

So the predicative adjective is – is happy to see you.

2. They will be nervous after having their results

They are the subject and nervous is the Adjective modify the pronoun

So predicate will be nervous after having their results.

3. She is so obliged to get your blessings.

She is the subject and obliged is the Adjective and the predicate is – is so obliged to get your blessings.

Predicate Nominatives are words that join with linking verbs and they are the noun or noun phrases modifying the subject.

1. She becomes the CEO of the company

She is the subject and CEO is the predicate Nominative which is itself a noun

2. We are the teachers.

We are the subject

Teachers are the predicate Nominatives which is itself a noun.

Use of Predicate in a sentence

All sentences have predicates and subjects.

The predicates generally follow the subject in a sentence. There can be many types like simple, compound, completed

1) Subject : Everybody

Verb: loves

Predicate: loves his country ( complete Predicate )

2) Subject: She

Predicate: is swimming ( simple predicate )

3) subject: We

Predicate: are having lunch and playing games ( compound predicate )

Identify the Predicate in a sentence

As discussed above a Predicate is one which is everything apart from the subject

For example :

1. Above the mountains stands some trees.

Trees are the subject about which we are talking and above the mountains stands the Predicate.

2. Behind the bars is the culprit.

The culprit is the subject and behind the bars is the is Predicate

A Predicate is generally a prepositional phrase, object, verb, conjunction, etc.

Examples of Imperative Sentences

The imperative subject generally doesn’t have the subject but still it has the predicate for example

1. Close the door

In this sentence, the door is the object

Close is the verb but there is no subject we can consider subject – You

You close the door

So close the door is the complete Predicate

Close is the simple predicate

2. Shut your mouth

Here shut is the verb ( simple predicate )

Shut your mouth is the complete Predicate

Your mouth is the object.

3. Hold your tongue

The hold is the simple predicate consisting of a verb

Hold your tongue is the complete Predicate

4. Mind your own business

Mind is the verb ( simple predicate )

Mind Your Own Business ( complete Predicate )

Conclusion – Imperative Sentence

In imperative sentences generally, the subject is hidden we can consider the subject by ourselves, and the object given to us is the complete Predicate or simple predicate.

In Imperative sentences the action is mentioned and the object as well but the subject is not there.

Practice Questions on Imperative Sentences

1. Meet me after the lunch

Consider you as the subject and meet is the simple predicate while meeting me after lunch is the complete Predicate

2. Call me after the meeting

The call is the simple predicate

Call me after the meeting is complete Predicate

Consider you as the subject

3. Have your supper.

Have is the simple predicate which is the verb

Have your supper is the complete Predicate

You are the subject

4. Close the window

Close is the simple predicate

Close the window is the complete Predicate

You are the subject that is hidden.

Frequently Asked Questions on Imperative Sentences