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 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
What is a Predicate?
Predicate is the one which is everything apart from the subject, it can be a verb, object, preposition, conjunction, or phrase. The subject is the one who does the action while the predicate is the one who tells everything about the subject.
What are the types of Predicate?
Predicates are generally of three types :
1 . Simple Predicate: it is the one which consists of only a verb no object no preposition.
Example :
He is walking
He is the subject
Is walking the Predicate simple
2. Complete Predicate: It is one that consists of a verb, object, preposition, conjunction, and adverb.
She is walking along the road
She is the subject
Is Walking along the road the complete Predicate
3. Compound Predicate: When the action done by the subject is more than one compound Predicate
She is explaining to me and having lunch side by side.
She is the subject
Is explaining to me that having lunch side by side is the compound predicate.
Give some examples of Predicates.
1. You are doing a great job
You are the subject and are doing a great job in the Predicate
2. We are happy together
We are the subject and are happy together is the Predicate
3. They focused on each and every problem
They are the subject and focused on each and every problem is the Predicate.
4. We aspire to be an officer.
We are the subject and aspiring to be an officer is the predicate.
How do you use Predicate in a sentence?
A sentence consists of a subject and verb an object
The predicate is generally a verb and an object
For example :
1. I – subject
Use the smartphones – Predicate
2. They – subject
Are the keen learners – predicate
3. We – Subject
Are jumping – Predicate
4. Our parents – subject
Support us in every field – predicate
What are the different kinds of Predicate?
- Simple predicate
- Complete Predicate
- Compound Predicate
- Predicate Nominatives
- Predicate Adjectives