Predicate of a Sentence
A compound predicate tells us two (or more) things about the same subject (without repeating the subject).
- Rachel lives in Dublin . (This tell us just one thing about the subject ("Rachel"). This is not a compound predicate.)
- Rachel lives in Dublin and speaks Irish . (This tell us two things about the subject ("Rachel").)
- The telegram was late but contained exciting news .
- They need to absorb nitrogen and keep above 20 degrees .
- Rachel lives in Dublin , and she speaks Irish . (This is a compound sentence. It has two subjects ("Rachel" and "she"). Each subject has one simple predicate.)
- Rachel and her brother live in Dublin and speak Irish . (The predicate tells us two things about the subject ("Rachel and her brother"). Even though it has two elements, this is one subject. It is called a compound subject.)
Predicate Adjective
- Your proposal was risky. (The linking verb is "was.")
- No one is happy all his life long. (Greek actor-tragedian Euripides) (The linking verb is "is.")
- Sometimes, only one person is missing, and the whole world seems depopulated. (French writer Alphonse de Lamartine) (The linking verbs are "is" and "seems.")
- I feel beautiful when my makeup looks great. (Senegalese model Khoudia Diop) (The linking verbs are "feel" and "looks.")
Predicate Nominative
A predicate nominative (also called a "predicate noun") is a word or group of words that completes a linking verb and renames the subject. (A predicate nominative is always a noun or a pronoun.)
- Your proposal was a risk. (The linking verb is "was.")
- Diamonds are a girl's best friend, and dogs are a man's best friend. Now you know which sex has more sense. (Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor) (In both cases, the linking verbs are "are." Note that a predicate nominative is often a noun phrase, i.e., a noun made up of more than one word.)
- I could have been a contender. I could have been somebody. (Actor Marlon Brando as Terry Malloy in the 1954 film "On the Waterfront") (In both cases, the linking verbs are "could have been." Note that a linking verb can include auxiliary verbs too.)
- Your proposal was an opportunity and a risk. ("An opportunity and a risk" is a compound predicate nominative.)
- I will be your employer, your advisor and your friend. ("Your employer, your advisor and your friend" is a compound predicate nominative.)
Why the Predicate of a Sentence Is Important
Jeepers, that's a lot of terminology to describe how we construct sentences, especially as we can all do it on autopilot. Right now, you're probably thinking that you don't need to know about predicates. But, actually, there are two good reasons to learn about predicates.
(Reason 1) Be clear on when to use a comma before "and."
- John is smart and articulate.
- John is smart, and he is articulate.
Let's examine the first example. It may well have a compound predicate adjective that tells us two things about the subject ("John"), but the first example is a simple sentence (i.e., it has just one independent clause). That's why there's no comma before "and."
- The British constitution has always been puzzling and always will be . (Queen Elizabeth II) (This is a compound predicate. It tells us two things about the "British constitution," but it's just one "sentence" (independent clause).)
- I have the heart of a man, and I am not afraid of anything. (Queen Elizabeth I) (This is a compound sentence. The "and" merges two "sentences" (independent clauses). That's why there's a comma.)
- My husband has been my strength and stay all these years, and I owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim. (Queen Elizabeth II) (This is a compound sentence. The first "and" joins two parts of a compound predicate nominative (hence no comma), but the second "and" merges two "sentences" (hence the comma). Get it?)
(Reason 2) Don't use an adverb when you need a predicate adjective.
The sentences below are both correct. The two verbs (in bold) are linking verbs and "brilliant," in both cases, is a predicate adjective.
- The soup is brilliant .
- The soup looks brilliant .
With some linking verbs, however, writers feel a compulsion to use an adverb because they know that adverbs, not adjectives, modify verbs. Using an adverb to complete a linking verb is a mistake. After any linking verb, the subject complement modifies the subject (here, "the soup") not the verb (here, "tastes").
- The soup tastes brilliantly .
This is an understandable mistake. An adverb is correct when the verb is not a linking verb.
- The soup works brilliantly .
Incorrectly using an adverb occurs most commonly with the "sense" linking verbs, especially "to feel" and "to smell."
- Don't feel badly . (This should be "bad.")
- His breath smells terribly . (This should be "terrible.")
Key Points
- If your "and" (or any conjunction) joins two independent clauses, precede it with a comma. If it's just part of compound predicate saying two things about the subject, don't.
- You don't feel badly (unless you're rubbish at feeling stuff). You feel bad. You smell bad too.
Video Lesson
Here is a video summarizing this lesson on the term "predicate": video lesson
Are you a visual learner? Do you prefer video to text? Here is a list of all our grammar videos.
This page was written by Craig Shrives.
