Predicate - Definition, Types and Examples

Like the subject of a sentence, a predicate plays an essential part in a sentence. Without predicate, a sentence is incomplete. Mastering predicate and its types is, therefore, important for all the students of English grammar. 

Read this article to know more about predicate definition, types and examples. Predicate noun, predicate adjective, predicate nominative, simple predicate, complete predicate, compound predicate are all discussed below.

This article covers:

• Predicate Examples 
• Types of Predicate
• Predicate Adjective 
• Predicate Adjective Examples
• Predicate Noun
• Predicate Noun Examples
• Simple Predicate 
• Simple Predicate Examples 
• Complete Predicate 
• Complete Predicate Examples
• Compound Predicate 
• Compound Predicate Examples

Predicate - Definition and Meaning

The term predicate in grammar can be simply defined as the part of the sentence carrying a verb with it and which describes the subject, i.e., provides information about the subject. It can also be explained that the part other than the subject in a sentence is known as predicate.

Predicates, be it predicate noun, predicate adjective, simple predicate, complete predicate or compound predicate, play a vital role in a sentence in completing its meaning. look at the below-given examples carefully.

Predicate Examples in Sentences

1. Aisha is playing in the ground.
2. John is kind.
3. Sofia is a teacher.

Explanation:- Example 1 contains the subject, "Aisha" and the predicate "is playing in the ground". The predicate "is playing in the ground" tells what Aisha (subject) is doing. 

Example 2 contains the subject "John", the linking verb "is"  and the predicate adjective "kind". The predicate describes the subject "John" and tells that he is a kind person.

Example 3 contains the subject "Sofia", the linking verb "is" and the predicate noun "teacher". The predicate noun gives more information about the subject "Sofia".

So, in all the three above-mentioned examples sentences, except for the subjects: "Aisha", "John" and "Sofia", all the parts, "is playing in the ground", "is kind" and "is a teacher" are called predicates.

Look at the below-given image to clearly understand what a subject, verb and predicate are. 

Types of Predicate with Examples

1. Predicate Adjective 

Predicate adjective is the adjective which describes the subject and is connected with the linking verb. It mainly describes the character and the appearance of the subject.

Predicate adjective example:

•  The game is risky.

Here, the subject is 'the game' and the adjective describing it is ' risky' and the linking verb is 'is' (to be).

If we have to find the predicate adjective in a sentence, then we just have to concentrate on the linking verb. So, a word, describing a noun or pronoun, used after a linking verb will be a predicate or predicative adjective.

Look at the below-given examples where different types of linking verbs are connecting adjectives to the subject of the sentence (noun or pronoun). Linking verbs are italicized and predicate adjectives are in bold.

A linking verb can be in the form of  

1. the verb "to be" ( is , am ,are.....)

• Example: He is cool.

2. the 'sense' verbs ( how someone is looking, smelling, feeling etc.)

• Example: This dress looks expensive.

3. the 'status' verbs ( how it seems , how its appearance is etc.)

• Example: It seems difficult.

2. Predicate Noun 

A predicate noun which is also known as predicate nominative is the noun that completes the linking verb and gives the new explanation of the subject.

Predicate noun example:

• Rohan is a student.

So, What is Rohan? it describes the character or state of the subject that he is a student.

1. A predicate noun can be a single word and also a group of words.

For example:

• The task was a risk. (One word predicate)

Here, the word "was" is the linking verb and the word "risk", which defines the subject, is a predicate noun.

2. A predicate can also be formed by more than one noun and called as a compound predicate nominative.

For example:

• I can be your friend, your tutor and your father. (More than one noun predicate)

Here, "Your friend, your tutor and your father" is the compound predicate noun..

3. Simple Predicate 

A simple predicate is the main verb or verb phrase that talks about the action done by the subject. (A main verb is the one which tells us about the action, happening or the state of being of the subject).

Simple predicate example:

1. I play cricket.
2. Sofia will be my tutor.

Example 1 contains the main verb "play" which is the simple predicate that tells us what action the subject "I" is doing. So, the main verb is called simple predicate.

Example 2 contains the simple predicate "will be" which talks about the state of being of Sofia that she is going to be my tutor.

4. Complete Predicate 

 

A complete predicate is the one that completes the action of the subject. It is the combination of any main verb, helping verb and any phrases that accomplish this. It's specially for the intents and purposes. 

Complete predicate example:

• He has been working hard for ages.

Here, "has been" is an auxiliary verb, "working" is a main verb, and "for ages" is a phrase .So, all the elements, "has been", "working hard" and "for ages" contribute to making the complete predicate.

• He will be singing with us there.

Here also, "will be" is the auxiliary verb, "singing" is the main verb and "with us there" is the phrase, and all the parts are called complete predicate collectively.

5. Compound Predicate 

A compound predicate has more than one main verb accomplished by the subject in a sentence. That is, if two or more main verbs' action is done by one subject, then it will be called compound predicate.

Compound predicate example:

• He can sing and dance.

So , the verb "sing" and "dance" both are the main verbs in the same sentence. Both the verbs are accomplished by one subject. They're therefore called compound predicate.

Predicate Worksheets and Exercises

Read the following sentences and find out the predicate.

1. Rohan plays cricket.

2. The Earth rotates on its axis.

3. Edison invented the bulb.

4. The students are dancing together.

5. He's read Macbeth recently.

6. The pasta tastes good.

7. My teachers are discussing their vacation plans.

8. They have watched the Titanic movie multiple times.

FAQs - Predicate

What is subject and predicate?

Subject and predicate are the two basic parts of a sentence. Subject is the doer of an action, and predicate is all parts of a sentence except for the subject which gives information about the subject.

What is a predicate?

A predicate is all the parts of a sentence except for the subject which gives information about the subject.

What is a simple predicate?

A simple predicate is the main verb or verb phrase excluding its other parts or modifying words. 

What is a complete predicate?

A complete predicate is all the parts of  of a sentence except for the subject.

What is a predicate adjective?

An adjective linked by a linking verb to a subject which describes the subject. 

What is a predicate nominative? 

A noun used after a linking verb connected to a subject which becomes the complement of the subject is called a predicate nominative.

What is a compound predicate?

A compound predicate contains more than one main verb describing the action done by the subject in a sentence.