In every complete sentence, something is being said about the subject. That “something” is called the predicate. It tells us what the subject does, is, has, or feels. Without it, a sentence wouldn’t be complete.
The predicate always contains a verb, and often includes other words that complete or modify the meaning. In this guide, you’ll learn what a predicate is, the different types, and how to recognize it in various sentence structures.
What Is a Predicate?
A predicate is the part of a sentence or clause that tells us what the subject does or is. It always includes a verb and may also include objects, complements, or modifiers that complete the meaning.
In short, the predicate explains what happens in the sentence or what the subject is like.
Predicate Examples:
- Subject: The cat
Predicate: sleeps all day.
→ “Sleeps all day” tells what the cat does. - Subject: My uncle
Predicate: is a dentist.
→ “Is a dentist” gives information about who my uncle is. - Subject: The students
Predicate: finished their project and submitted it online.
→ “Finished their project and submitted it online” is a compound predicate.
Types of Predicates
Predicates can vary in length and structure, but they all serve the same purpose: to tell us something about the subject. There are three main types of predicates used in English sentences.
1. Simple Predicate
The simple predicate is just the main verb or verb phrase. It may include helping verbs, but nothing else.
Examples:
- They ran.
- We have finished.
2. Complete Predicate
The complete predicate includes the verb and all the words that modify or complete its meaning, such as objects, adverbs, and prepositional phrases.
Examples:
- The dog barked at the stranger.
- Her friends are planning a surprise party.
3. Compound Predicate
A compound predicate has two or more verbs (or verb phrases) that share the same subject. They may be joined by conjunctions like and, or, or but.
Examples:
- He washed the car and mowed the lawn.
- The students took notes, asked questions, and completed the assignment.
How to Identify a Predicate
Finding the predicate in a sentence is simple once you know what to look for. Since the predicate tells us what the subject does or is, it always includes at least one verb.
Steps to Identify a Predicate:
- Find the subject – Ask who or what the sentence is about.
- Look for the verb – The action or state-of-being word.
- Include everything after the verb that relates to the action or state – This gives you the complete predicate.
Examples:
- Sentence: The kids are playing outside.
→ Predicate = are playing outside - Sentence: Their teacher explained the assignment clearly.
→ Predicate = explained the assignment clearly - Sentence: The lamp fell and broke into pieces.
→ Compound predicate = fell and broke into pieces
By focusing on the verb and what follows, you can quickly identify the predicate and understand how it shapes the sentence.
Predicate vs. Subject
Every complete sentence is made up of two core parts: the subject and the predicate. Understanding how they differ is essential for recognizing sentence structure and avoiding common mistakes.
The Subject:
- Tells who or what the sentence is about.
The Predicate:
- Tells what the subject does or what it is.
Example:
- Sentence: The children built a sandcastle.
→ Subject = The children
→ Predicate = built a sandcastle - Sentence: Her idea seems helpful and clear.
→ Subject = Her idea
→ Predicate = seems helpful and clear
Key Difference:
- The subject is who/what, while the predicate is what’s being said about the subject.
- The predicate always includes the verb, while the subject never does.
Together, the subject and predicate form a complete thought.
Predicate in Different Sentence Structures
Predicates appear in all sentence types, but their form can change depending on how the sentence is structured. Recognizing the predicate in different sentence types helps with both clarity and variety in writing.
1. Declarative Sentences (statements)
These state facts or opinions.
Example:
- The team is ready for the match.
→ Predicate: is ready for the match
2. Interrogative Sentences (questions)
The predicate may come before the subject or be split.
Example:
- Are you joining us later?
→ Predicate: are joining us later
3. Imperative Sentences (commands)
The subject is often implied, but the predicate is still present.
Example:
- Turn off the lights.
→ Predicate: Turn off the lights
→ Subject (“you”) is understood
4. Exclamatory Sentences (strong emotion)
These still follow subject + predicate structure.
Example:
- What a great job you did today!
→ Predicate: did today
No matter the sentence form, the predicate plays a central role in expressing meaning.
FAQs
What is a predicate in a sentence?
The predicate is the part of a sentence that tells what the subject does, is, or feels. It always includes a verb and may also include objects, complements, or modifiers.
How do I identify the predicate in a sentence?
Find the verb, then include all the words that relate to what the subject is doing or being.
Example: The baby slept peacefully. → Predicate = slept peacefully
Can a sentence have more than one predicate?
Yes. A sentence can have a compound predicate—two or more verbs sharing the same subject.
Example: She cleaned the room and organized the desk.
What is the difference between a subject and a predicate?
The subject tells who or what the sentence is about. The predicate tells what the subject does or is. Together, they form a complete sentence.
Are all predicates made up of just one word?
No. A simple predicate is just the main verb, but a complete predicate may include objects, phrases, or clauses that add meaning.