Predicates: Definition, Examples, & Exercises | Albert.io (2024)

There are two essential building blocks in every sentence: the subject and the predicate. While the subject of the sentence is responsible for containing “who” or “what” is performing the action or experiencing a particular state in the sentence, the predicate is responsible for describing the action performed or state experienced by the subject. When joined together, subjects and predicates create a complete thought.

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The Basics of Predicates

What is a Predicate?

The predicate of a sentence describes either what the subject is doing or the state of the subject. The predicate must always contain a verb, but it can also include objects, either direct or indirect, and different types of modifiers, such as adverbs, prepositional phrases, or objects.

For example:

• The ballerina twirled gracefully across the stage.

In this sentence, the predicate begins with the verb, “twirled”, which describes what the subject is doing. The predicate also includes how and where the ballerina twirled: gracefully and across the stage.

What are the different types of predicates?

Predicates can be divided into two main categories: action and state of being.

Predicates that describe an action can be simple, compound, or complete.

A simple predicate is a verb or verb phrase without any modifiers or objects.

For example:

• Remy cooked.

A compound predicate is a combination of two or more verbs or verb phrases.

For example:

• Remy cooked and baked.

A complete predicate includes a verb or verb phrase with modifiers and/or objects.

For example:

• Remy cooked a delicious soup and baked a mouth-watering ratatouille for the food critic.

In this sentence, not only are there compound predicates, but there are also two direct objects and a prepositional phrase, making this a complete predicate.

Predicates that describe a state of being are labeled as predicate adjectives or predicate nominatives.

Predicate adjectives follow linking verbs to describe how the subject is feeling or how the subject appears.

For example:

• She was exhausted.

The linking verb, “was”, begins the predicate and is followed by a predicate adjective that describes how the subject is feeling.

Predicate nominatives also follow linking verbs, but these are used to rename or label the subject with another noun.

For example:

• She is the cheer captain.

In this sentence, the linking verb, “is”, begins the predicate and is followed by a predicate nominative, or noun, that renames the subject and is not considered a direct object.

How are predicates different from subjects?

While the predicate of a sentence describes an action or state of being, the subject lets the reader know who or what is doing the action or experiencing the state of being.

Usually, the subject appears before the predicate in a sentence, but this is not always the case! That is why it is very important to know the functions of both subjects and predicates to avoid confusion.

When predicates appear before subjects in sentences, it is usually an example of inverted syntax. Sometimes writers “invert,” or flip-flop, the normal flow of a sentence to draw attention to certain words.

Think Yoda-speak whenever you think about inverted syntax: For example:

• Patience you must have, my young padawan.

This sentence contains an example of a predicate adjective. “You” is the subject, and the verb phrase is “must have”, but since the predicate adjective appears out of place before the subject, the reader is forced to look twice.

Yoda speaks this way on purpose; he wants Luke Skywalker to pay attention to the most important word in the sentence, which is “patience”. When authors use inverted syntax, it is for this same reason.

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3 Tips for Understanding Predicates

Here are some important tips to help you understand Predicates:

Tip #1. Predicates always describe an action or a state of being

For example:

• In the abandoned mansion on the hill, I saw a flickering candle.

In this sentence, the complete predicate describes the action of the subject, “I”, and includes both an object and prepositional phrases acting as modifiers.

Here is another example:

• Upon seeing the light, I was terrified.

In this sentence, a predicate adjective is used along with a linking verb to describe how the subject feels.

Tip #2. Predicates are made up of the main verb and all of its objects and/or modifiers

For example:

• I silently approached the rotting doorway of the mansion and knocked.

In this sentence, there is a compound predicate that describes the two actions performed by the subject, “approached” and “knocked”, an adverb modifying the first verb, “silently”, as well as an object: “the rotting doorway of the mansion”.

Tip #3. The predicate does not always come after the subject of the sentence

For example, in one of Edgar Allan Poe’s most famous poems, “The Raven”, a line is repeated over and over:

“Quoth the Raven, ‘Nevermore’.”

In this sentence, Poe wants to emphasize that the Raven only ever says one word in response to the narrator’s endless questioning, which in turn drives the narrator into madness. Therefore, he places the predicate, “quoth” (which in Modern English means “said”) before the subject, “Raven” to emphasize the direct object or what the subject says over and over again.

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Applying the Basics: Predicate Review & Practice

Now that you understand how predicates function in sentences, review the anchor chart below and complete the review to fully understand how to use and recognize predicates.

The Ultimate List of Predicates

Refer to the graphic below to learn the different types of Predicates:

This list, obviously, does not include all possible predicates; however, it is meant to be used as a guide while differentiating predicates from subjects.

Predicate Exercises and Review

Now that you know some common predicates, test your ability to find these in the context of sentences.

Select the predicate in the sentences below. Remember, predicates describe an action performed by the subject or a state of being experienced by the subject and include all modifiers and objects.

1. Jem snuck up to the Radley house to spy on Boo Radley.

In this sentence, the predicate begins with the verb, “snuck”, and includes several modifiers including the adverb, “up”, two prepositional phrases, “to the Radley house” and “on Boo Radley”, and one infinitive phrase, “to spy”.

2. Scout hated school because she was always in trouble.

In this sentence, there are two clauses with two subjects and two predicates. The first predicate is “hated school”, and the second predicate is “was always in trouble”.

3. Calpurnia brought Jem and Scout to church.

In this sentence, brought Jem and Scout to church is the predicate because it starts with the action verb, “brought” and includes two direct objects and a prepositional phrase acting as a modifier.

4. Atticus decided to defend Tom Robinson in court.

In this sentence, decided to defend Tom Robinson in court is the predicate because it begins with the action verb, “decided” and includes both a direct and indirect object and a prepositional phrase acting as a modifier.

5. The Ewell family was notorious for skipping school.

In this sentence, was notorious for skipping school is the predicate because it contains a linking verb, a predicate adjective, and a prepositional phrase acting as a modifier.

Pro tip: When separating subjects from predicates in sentences, remember that the predicate always describes either an action performed or a state of being experienced. Predicates must always contain a verb.

For additional practice, check out Predicates content on Albert.

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Try for Yourself: Predicates Quiz

Feeling confident in your understanding of Predicates?

Take this short six-question quiz to see what you’ve learned:

1. True or False: The predicate consists only of the main verb.

• Answer: False
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The predicate consists of the main verb and any objects or modifiers.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, the predicate consists of the main verb and any objects or modifiers.

2. Are predicate nominatives used with action verbs or linking verbs?

• Answer: Linking Verbs
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! Predicate nominatives are used with linking verbs, and direct objects are used with action verbs.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, predicate nominatives are used with linking verbs, and direct objects are used with action verbs.

3. In this sentence, is the word, “walking” a subject or a predicate?

Walking in the early morning is one of my favorite activities.

• Answer: Subject
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! Walking can be used as a verb or as a noun, but in this sentence, it is acting as the noun subject of the sentence while the predicate is
  “Is one of my favorite activities”. We can find this out by asking what is the speaker’s favorite activity, and since the answer is walking, we know that this is the subject of the sentence and not the predicate.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, even though a word may look like a verb, it does not mean that it is automatically the predicate of the sentence. By asking the right questions, you can find the predicate with confidence.

4. In this sentence, is the word “content” a predicate adjective or an adverb?

He was content knowing that he did all that could be done.

• Answer: Predicate Adjective
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The word content is a predicate adjective because it describes how the subject is feeling. It is not an adverb because an adverb would follow an action verb, not a linking verb.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, a predicate adjective describes how the subject is feeling, while an adverb modifies an action verb.

5. In this sentence, is the predicate simple or compound?

The villain laughed maniacally and sped away in his Chevy Malibu.

• Answer: Compound
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! In this sentence, there are two verbs used to describe the action performed by the subject. Therefore, this sentence uses a compound predicate.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, compound predicates use two or more verbs to describe the action performed by the subject.

6. In this sentence, is the predicate simple or complete?

We boarded the airplane with our bags over our shoulders.

• Answer: Complete
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! Since the predicate includes a main verb and an object and modifiers, it is complete instead of simple.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, a complete predicate is made up of the main verb and objects and/or modifiers. A simple predicate only includes the main verb.

For additional practice with predicates, check out our predicates practice on Albert.

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Teacher’s Corner for Predicates

Since both subjects and predicates are the foundation for all other grammatical concepts, it is crucial that students have a firm understanding of both. The Common Core English Language Progressive Skills Chart is a helpful tool for teachers wanting to build on their students’ grammatical knowledge.

For specific standards on both subjects and predicates, check out the Common Core State Standards website.

Albert’s Predicate Practice provides a large bank of review questions to further embed understanding of predicates through regular practice. Albert also provides comprehensive assessments to gauge student retention of these concepts.

Summary for Predicates

Predicates are an essential part of every sentence, whether simple, compound, or complete. Predicates allow writers to bring their subjects to life through actions or a state of being, and the objects and modifiers within these predicates add even more details about the subject by supporting the main verb.

Be sure to check out our grammar course for more predicate practice.

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