Understanding the Predicate in a Sentence

In the English language, sentences are structured into two major components: the subject and the predicate. This article will delve into the concept of the predicate, its role in forming sentences, and how to identify it.

The Role of the Predicate

The predicate of a sentence is the part that provides information about the subject. It's the telling, asserting, or describing component of the sentence. The predicate can include a verb and other words that modify or provide more details about the action performed by the subject.

For instance, in the sentence:

I like her.

The verb "like" and the object "her" together form the predicate, which describes the action that the subject "I" is performing.

Identifying the Predicate

Identifying the predicate in a sentence involves a few key steps:

Close the subject: Enclose the subject in the sentence with parentheses or quotation marks. The remaining part of the sentence outside these marks is the predicate. Find the verb: The predicate always contains a verb. The verb may be accompanied by other words that provide additional information. Solve for the subject: The verb can often be used to find the subject. For example, if the sentence is about "who" or "what" performing the action, that noun or pronoun will be the subject.

Let's see how these steps work with a few examples:

Example 1: Imperative Sentence

Don’t play on the railway track.

Here, the subject is implied ("you"), and the verb and its action make up the predicate.

Example 2: Imperative Sentence with Indirect Subject

Ramu get lost.

The implied subject is "Ramu," and the verb "get" is the predicate.

Example 3: Affirmative Sentence

I like her.

The verb "like" and its object "her" together form the predicate, providing information about the subject "I."

Example 4: Interrogative Sentence with Split Predicate

How do you feel today?

This is a rather special case. The sentence is split into two units: "How do" and "feel today." While "how do" is a phrase that fits grammatically, "feel today" is the predicate, as it provides the information about the subject's state.

Formal and Informal Definitions of Predicate

From a formal perspective, the predicate of a sentence can be defined as the part that makes a statement about the subject. In linguistic theory, the predicate is often defined more broadly, including not just the verb but also all the other components that provide context and detail.

From an informal standpoint, a predicate is a statement that can be true or false, depending on the variables involved. It is like an operator or function that returns a boolean value (true or false) based on the input. Consider the sentence:

Robert killed a poisonous cobra.

Here, "killed a poisonous cobra" is the predicate, asserting something about the subject "Robert."

In any given sentence, whatever is left after the subject is the predicate. For example, in the sentence:

I am going to school.

"I" is the subject, and "am going to school" is the predicate, providing information about what the subject is doing.

Conclusion

Understanding the predicate is crucial for effective communication and sentence structuring. By mastering this concept, you can improve your writing and comprehension skills. Practice identifying the predicate in various types of sentences to solidify your understanding. Whether you are an English learner or an experienced writer, the predicate will continue to play a vital role in your communication.