Predicates

Predicates finish sentences. Most sentences start with a subject:

Bob...

This afternoon...

The building...

They need completing. This is where the predicate comes in. You can have simple predicates which only contain a verb:

Bob slept.

This afternoon sucks.

The building sways.

Each of the words in bold font is a simple predicate. A slightly more complicated predicate has a more complex verb form:

The building swayed, rocked, and moaned.

There is a longer predicate in the sentence below:

Michael painted the garden gate in green and brown colours.

So where’s the predicate you may ask? Well, first you need to identify the verb in the sentence - ‘painted’. Next ask who or what did the painting? Well, Michael did. So ‘Michael’ is the subject. The predicate is the part of the sentence that tells you more about Michael. Identify it by asking yourself the question -what about Michael? Well, he "painted the garden gate in green and brown colours" - that’s the predicate:

Michael painted the garden gate in green and brown colours.

Note that the predicate includes the verb.

Click here to move on to the next topic: Complete predicates