Simple and Complete Predicates Show Simple Predicate (Verb) Definition A simple predicate is a grammatical construct (part of a sentence) that typically refers to the action that the subject is performing. The simple predicate (simple verb) is a single word (or group of words if a verb phrase) representing the verb without any of its modifiers whereas a complete predicate refers to the predicate/verb as well as all of its modifiers. Examples of Simple and Complete Predicates (Verbs) Simple Predicates The taxi-driver drove very quickly through the neighborhood. Our team’s injured player scored the winning goal. Their water supplies were running very low yesterday. Complete Predicates The taxi-driver drove very quickly through the neighborhood. Our team’s injured player scored the winning goal. Their water supplies were running very low yesterday. Want to try GrammarFlip for yourself? Get 30 days free No payment required. Explore More Lessons & Curriculum:
The two main components of English sentences are subjects and predicates. Together, they form clauses. The complete subject is the main part of the sentence that contains at least one noun (or noun equivalent) and all of its modifiers. The complete predicate contains at least one verb and its auxiliaries, modifiers, and completing words if they are present. It explains all that is being said about the singular or compound sentence subject. If you remove the subject and its modifiers from a sentence, everything that remains is the predicate.
What Is a Compound Predicate?A compound predicate is a predicate with two or more verbs or verb phrases connected by a conjunction. It says two or more things about the same singular or compound subject.
Compound predicates can also be formed by simple predicates alone. Simple predicates are the main verbs and their auxiliaries without complements or modifiers.
Compound Predicates vs. Compound SentencesCompound predicates are different from compound sentences. A compound sentence is made of two more independent clauses. The clauses each have their own subject, and they are separated by a conjunction. They are also typically separated by a comma.
How Compound Predicates Are UsefulCompound predicates serve crisper, more-precise writing by replacing wordy, loose, or redundant sentence constructions. Wordy: J.J. plays football in the fall, and he runs track in the spring, and then in summer he attends athletic camps. Loose: First the lady in red with the envelope entered the crowd, and then she looked around, and next she waited for the recipient to appear. Redundant: Josh will graduate college in two more years. Josh will also take a short break. Josh will enroll in a master’s program as well. Related TopicsPredicating Our Knowledge of Predicates Pop QuizApplying what you’ve learned about compound predicates, identify any compound predicates that appear in the sentences below. 1. Tom and Kate want to visit the museum, but Barbara and Brian prefer the aquarium. 2. Chinedu finished the experiment and submitted his report to the review board. 3. It rained in the morning. The sun came back out in the afternoon. 4. Ethan will prepare dinner and seat the guests. 5. The accountant said that Jia Li should track her expenses and keep the receipts. Pop Quiz Answers1. Tom and Kate want to visit the museum, but Barbara and Brian prefer the aquarium. 2. Chinedu finished the experiment and submitted his report to the review board. 3. It rained in the morning. The sun came back out in the afternoon. 4. Ethan will prepare dinner and seat the guests. 5. The accountant said that Jia Li should track her expenses and keep the receipts. If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the "Comment" box at the bottom of this page.
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Here is an example of a simple predicate. (The predicate is shaded and the verb is in bold.)
Let's look at some examples:
With a compound predicate, the second half of the predicate cannot stand alone as a sentence because it doesn't have its own subject. Here's a graphic to help explain this point: Read more about using commas with compound sentences. Read more about using commas with conjunctions. When two adjacent sentences have the same subject, consider merging them into one sentence with a compound predicate. For example:
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