Predicate of a Sentence
A predicate is what is being said about the subject in a sentence. In other words, it describes what is happening.
1. A predicate is a verb with several other words.
For example:
- Jennifer made the brownies.
Here, Jennifer is the subject and made the brownies is the predicate. It is the verb made with the words the and brownies.
Similarly,
- Mom cooks a good meal.
Here, Mom is the subject and cooks a good meal is the predicate. It is the verb cooks with the words a, good and meal.
2. Sometimes, the predicate can be only a verb.
For example:
- Linda sleeps.
Here, the predicate is simply the verb sleeps.
- Tara listens.
Here, the predicate is simply the verb listens.
Tip: To figure out what the predicate is, first identify the subject of the sentence. Then, look at the rest of the sentence to see what the subject is doing.
For example:
- Mary is playing the violin.
Here, Mary is the subject.
What is she doing?
She is playing the violin. So, this is the predicate.
Similarly,
- Lindsay opens the bag.
Here, the subject is Lindsay.
What is she doing?
She opens the bag. So, this is the predicate.
- A predicate can be a verb with several other words.
- Sometimes, the predicate can be only a verb.
- To figure out what the predicate is, first identify the subject of the sentence. Then, look at the rest of the sentence to see what the subject is doing.
