The Predicate



The Predicate :



The Predicate must either be a Finite Verb or contain one. If the Verb is of such a nature that it cannot by itself make complete sense, but must have some word or words placed after it for this purpose, any such word or words must be considered parts of Predicate. All possible forms of a predicate are shown in the following scheme.

1. Rain falls.
Finite Verb : Rain
Object with qualifying words :
Complement with qualifying words :

2. The snake was killed.
Finite Verb : was killed
Object with qualifying words :
Complement with qualifying words :

3. My son became a good scholar.
Finite Verb : became
Object with qualifying words :
Complement with qualifying words : a good scholar

4. The thief was to be severly punished.
Finite Verb : was
Object with qualifying words :
Complement with qualifying words : to be severly punished

5. The thief was sentenced.
Finite Verb : was sentenced
Object with qualifying words :
Complement with qualifying words :

6. The Gardner killed that poisonouns snake.
Finite Verb : killed
Object with qualifying words : that poisonouns snake
Complement with qualifying words :

7. The teacher will teach my sons.
Finite Verb : will teach
Object with qualifying words : my sons
Complement with qualifying words :

8. The teacher will teach geometry.
Finite Verb : will teach
Object with qualifying words : geometry
Complement with qualifying words :

9. They found the weary man sound asleep.
Finite Verb : found
Object with qualifying words : the weary man
Complement with qualifying words : sound asleep

In 1 and 2 above, we have first an Intransitive Verb of Complete Predication and then a Transitive Verb in the Passive Voice. Neither of these requires either an Object or a Complement. So the Verb alone makes up the Predicate.

In 3, 4 and 5 above, we have first an Intransitive Verb of Incomplete Predication and then a Transitive Verb of Incomplete Predication in the Passive Voice.

In 6, 7 and 8, we have first a Transitive Verb with a single Object and then a Transitive Verb with a Double Object. Each of these requires the Object (single or double) to be expressed, before the predication can be complete.

In 9 above, we have a Transitive Verb of Incomplete Predication in the Active Voice, requiring both an Object and a Complement.

If the Object or Complement has any qualifying words attached to it, these can be mentioned with it in the same column.

Thus in the Complement (a good scholar), there is no need to make a separate column for the qualifying Adjective good.

Again, in the Complement (to be severely punished), there is no need of a separate column for the qualifying Adverb severely.

Again, in stating the Object (that poisonous snake), there is no need of a separate column for the qualifying Adjectives THAT and POISONOUS.

An Auxiliary Verb should be put in the same column with the Principal Verb. Thus in stating WILL TEACH, we need not use one column for WILL and another for TEACH.

RELATED PAGES :



  1. A Sentence - 1
  2. A Sentence - 2
  3. A Sentence - 3
  4. The Structure of Sentences
  5. Kinds of Sentences
  6. A Clause and A Phrase
  7. The Noun Clause
  8. The Adjective Clause
  9. The Adverb Clause
  10. Adverb Clauses
  11. Adjective Clauses
  12. Noun Clauses
  13. Three Kinds of Clauses
  14. Sample Sentences with Clauses
  15. Simple Sentences ( Simple Sentence )
  16. Double Sentences
  17. Multiple Sentences
  18. Complex Sentences
  19. Attributive Adjuncts
  20. The Predicate
  21. Adverbial Adjuncts to Verb of Predicate
  22. Analysis of Sentences
  23. Contracted Sentences
  24. Analysis of Double Sentences
  25. Analysis of Multiple Sentences
  26. Rules for Analysing Double Sentences
  27. Rules for Analysing Multiple Sentences
  28. Analysis of Complex Sentences
  29. The Complex Sentences
  30. Analysis of Multiple Sentence
  31. The Transformation of Sentences
  32. Modes of Expressing A Condition in English Grammar
  33. Modes of Expressing A Concessional Clause
  34. Modes of Expressing A Contrasting Clause
  35. Interchange of Degrees of Comparison
  36. Synthesis of Sentences - 1
  37. Synthesis of Sentences - 2
  38. Synthesis of Sentences - 3
  39. The Principal Clause
  40. The Dependent Clause
  41. Verb in The Dependent Clause
  42. Direct Speech and Indirect Speech
  43. Kinds of Sentences
  44. Direct and Indirect Speech
  45. A Sentence without E
  46. Parsed Sentence


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