Every complete sentence needs two key components: a subject and a predicate. While the subject tells us who or what the sentence is about, the predicate tells us what the subject does or is. This article will delve into the predicate, specifically focusing on the complete predicate.
Simple vs. Complete Predicates
To understand a complete predicate, it’s helpful to first understand a simple predicate.
Simple Predicate
A simple predicate is the main verb or verb phrase within a sentence. It’s the core action or state of being. It typically consists of one or two words.
Let’s look at some examples:
Example #1
“The cat slept soundly on the rug.”
In this sentence, the verb is “slept,” making it the simple predicate.
Example #2
“The students were studying for their exams.”
Here, “were studying” is the verb phrase, and therefore the simple predicate.
Alt text: Students collaboratively studying in a library with books and laptops.
Complete Predicate Explained
A complete predicate includes the main verb (the simple predicate) and all the words that modify or relate to it. This includes adverbs, adverb phrases, prepositional phrases, and any other elements that add detail to the verb. Think of it as the simple predicate plus everything that tells us more about the action or state of being.
Examples of Complete Predicates
Let’s revisit some examples to identify the complete predicate.
Example #1
“Amber was tired because she spent all night studying.”
We know “was” is the simple predicate. The complete predicate is “was tired because she spent all night studying.” “Tired” is a predicate adjective describing Amber, and “because she spent all night studying” is an adverbial phrase explaining why.
Example #2
“Caleb swam in the pool all day.”
The simple predicate is “swam.” The complete predicate is “swam in the pool all day.” The prepositional phrase “in the pool” tells us where Caleb swam, and the adverbial phrase “all day” specifies for how long.
Alt text: An individual swimming freestyle in a brightly lit indoor swimming pool.
Example #3 (Compound Predicate)
“Jack finished his homework and played video games for a few hours.”
This sentence has a compound predicate: “finished” and “played.” Both actions relate to the subject, Jack. The complete predicate is “finished his homework and played video games for a few hours.” It encompasses both verbs and their related phrases.
Complete Predicates: Review Questions
Let’s test your understanding.
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What is the simple predicate in the following sentence?
“The dog waited by the door for his owner to return home.”
a. return
b. waited
c. to return
d. The dog waitedAnswer: B. The simple predicate is the main verb, “waited.”
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What is the complete predicate in the following sentence?
“Chloe and Dave arrived early and helped set up the decorations.”
a. arrived early and helped set up
b. Chloe and Dave arrived and helped
c. arrived early and helped set up the decorations
d. Chloe and Dave set up the decorationsAnswer: C. The complete predicate includes both verbs (“arrived” and “helped”) and all related words and phrases: “arrived early and helped set up the decorations.”
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between simple and complete predicates is vital for analyzing sentence structure and grammar. By identifying the main verb and all its related modifiers, you can gain a deeper understanding of how sentences convey meaning. Mastering this concept improves your writing and reading comprehension skills.
