predicate
The part of a sentence that tells us what the subject is doing or what it is like.
Explanation at your level:
A predicate is a grammar word. Every sentence has two main parts. The first part is the subject. The second part is the predicate. The predicate tells us what the subject does. For example, in 'The dog runs,' 'runs' is the predicate. It is the action part of the sentence.
When you write a sentence, you need a subject and a predicate. The predicate is the part that includes the verb. It tells you what is happening. If you say 'She is happy,' the predicate is 'is happy.' It explains the state of the subject.
In English grammar, the predicate is a fundamental concept. It is the part of a clause that contains the verb and provides information about the subject. While the subject identifies 'who' or 'what,' the predicate identifies the action or state. Understanding this helps you build more complex sentences.
The term predicate is essential for analyzing sentence structure. It encompasses the verb, its objects, and any modifiers. Distinguishing between the simple predicate (the verb) and the complete predicate (the verb plus all its modifiers) is a key skill for advanced writing and editing.
Beyond basic grammar, the concept of the predicate is central to formal logic and linguistics. In these fields, a predicate is a property or relation that can be attributed to a subject. This abstract usage extends the grammatical definition, allowing us to discuss truth values and logical propositions in academic discourse.
Historically, the predicate has been a cornerstone of Western grammatical tradition. From its Latin roots in praedicare—to proclaim—it has evolved into a precise tool for syntactical analysis. Mastery of this term allows for a nuanced discussion of sentence architecture, enabling the speaker to deconstruct complex clauses and understand the interplay between subjects and their functional attributes.
Word in 30 Seconds
- The predicate is the action part of a sentence.
- It always contains a verb.
- It tells us what the subject is doing.
- The phrase 'predicated on' means based on.
Think of a sentence as a two-part team. You have the subject, which is who or what the sentence is about, and then you have the predicate, which is the rest of the sentence that tells us what that subject is doing.
If you say, 'The sun shines,' the word 'shines' is the predicate. It gives us the action. If you have a longer sentence like 'The big yellow sun shines brightly in the sky,' everything except 'The big yellow sun' is the predicate. It's the engine of the sentence!
The word predicate comes from the Latin word praedicare, which means 'to proclaim' or 'to declare.' It started out in the world of logic and philosophy before finding its permanent home in our grammar textbooks.
Back in the day, to 'predicate' something meant to assert or affirm a quality about a subject. Over time, linguists adopted this term to describe the part of a sentence that 'declares' something about the subject. It’s a classic example of how ancient Latin roots still shape how we describe our language today.
You will mostly encounter the word predicate in academic settings, such as English classes, linguistics lectures, or writing workshops. It is rarely used in casual, everyday conversation unless you are specifically discussing grammar.
Common collocations include 'identify the predicate,' 'simple predicate,' and 'complete predicate.' In a professional or educational context, you might hear teachers say, 'Make sure your predicate agrees with your subject.' It is a formal term, so keep it for your essays rather than your text messages!
While 'predicate' itself is a technical term, it is often used in the phrase predicated on. This means something is based on or depends on something else.
- Predicated on the facts: Based on the evidence.
- Predicated on a lie: Built upon a false premise.
- Predicated on trust: Depending entirely on mutual trust.
- Predicated on success: Assuming that a previous step will succeed.
- Predicated on the agreement: Depending on the terms of a contract.
As a noun, the plural is predicates. It is a countable noun, so you can say 'a predicate' or 'many predicates.' The word is stressed on the first syllable: PRED-i-cate.
In British English, the pronunciation is typically /ˈpred.ɪ.kət/, and in American English, it is similar, though sometimes the final syllable sounds slightly more like 'kit.' It rhymes with words like 'dedicate' and 'medicate,' which can help you remember the rhythm.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'preach'!
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like PRED-ih-kut.
Sounds like PRED-uh-kut.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it as 'predict-ate'
- Stressing the second syllable
- Dropping the final 't' sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Technical but understandable
Used in formal writing
Rarely used in speech
Common in lectures
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Subject-Verb Agreement
The dog barks.
Sentence Fragments
Missing a predicate.
Linking Verbs
The sky is blue.
Examples by Level
The cat sleeps.
sleeps = action
Simple verb
I run.
run = action
Subject + predicate
Birds fly.
fly = action
Simple predicate
She eats.
eats = action
Verb only
He sits.
sits = action
Simple predicate
Dogs bark.
bark = action
Action verb
We play.
play = action
Subject + predicate
Fish swim.
swim = action
Simple predicate
The boy plays football.
She is reading a book.
They are going home.
The sun is very hot.
He likes to sing.
We are watching TV.
The car is red.
It is raining outside.
The teacher explained the lesson clearly.
My brother works in a big office.
The movie was very exciting.
They have finished their homework.
The flowers are blooming in the garden.
She decided to leave early.
The cake tastes delicious.
We are planning a trip.
The decision was predicated on the latest research.
He identified the predicate in the complex sentence.
The entire argument is predicated on a false assumption.
The complete predicate includes all the modifiers.
Her success is predicated on hard work.
The logic of the proof is predicated on these axioms.
He struggled to locate the predicate in the long clause.
The contract is predicated on mutual agreement.
The theory is predicated on the assumption of universal constants.
Linguists often debate the structure of the predicate in ergative languages.
His entire worldview is predicated on a misunderstanding of history.
The legal case was predicated on the evidence presented by the witness.
The argument is predicated on the belief that change is inevitable.
The predicate of the sentence provides the necessary information about the subject.
The study is predicated on data collected over ten years.
The philosophical claim is predicated on the existence of free will.
The structural integrity of the argument is predicated on the initial premise.
In formal logic, a predicate is a function that maps an object to a truth value.
The literary analysis is predicated on a close reading of the text.
The entire social system is predicated on the concept of collective responsibility.
The debate is predicated on conflicting interpretations of the law.
The predicate logic used here is quite advanced.
The hypothesis is predicated on the observation of rare phenomena.
The historical narrative is predicated on fragmented primary sources.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"predicated on"
based on
The deal is predicated on trust.
formal"predicate upon"
to base something upon
We predicate our decisions upon facts.
formal"predicate a claim"
to assert a claim
He predicated his claim on new evidence.
formal"predicate an action"
to base an action on a reason
He predicated his action on the law.
formal"predicate a theory"
to establish a theory
They predicated the theory on observation.
formal"predicate a belief"
to hold a belief based on something
His belief is predicated on experience.
formalEasily Confused
Similar spelling
Predict means to foresee; predicate means to base on.
I predict rain; the plan is predicated on sunshine.
Same etymological root
Preach is to give a sermon; predicate is a grammar term.
He preached to the crowd; the sentence has a predicate.
Starts with the same letters
Predicament is a difficult situation.
He is in a predicament; find the predicate.
Similar sound
Precedent is an earlier event.
This sets a precedent; the predicate is clear.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + predicate
The dog barks.
The [noun] is predicated on [noun].
The decision is predicated on facts.
Identify the predicate in [sentence].
Identify the predicate in this sentence.
The complete predicate includes [noun].
The complete predicate includes the object.
His argument is predicated on [noun].
His argument is predicated on logic.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
4/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up the two parts of the sentence.
The verb is just the 'simple' predicate.
They sound similar but have different meanings.
A sentence without a predicate is just a fragment.
Always include the final 'e'.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a stage: The subject enters first, then the predicate performs the action.
When Native Speakers Use It
Mostly in school or professional writing.
Cultural Insight
It's a staple of the Western education system.
Grammar Shortcut
Find the verb, then everything after it is usually the predicate.
Say It Right
Stress the first syllable: PRED-i-cate.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't confuse it with 'predict'.
Did You Know?
It comes from the same root as 'preach'!
Study Smart
Use color coding: Blue for subject, Red for predicate.
Pro Tip
Vary your predicates to make your writing more interesting.
Logic Tip
In logic, a predicate is a property of an object.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
PRED-icate: PREDicting the action.
Visual Association
A sentence cut in half: Subject on the left, Predicate on the right.
Word Web
Challenge
Take five sentences from a book and underline the predicate in each.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: to proclaim or declare
Cultural Context
None, it is a neutral technical term.
Used primarily in educational and linguistic contexts.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At school
- What is the predicate?
- Underline the predicate.
- Identify the verb in the predicate.
In a logic class
- This is a predicate logic statement.
- Define the predicate.
- The predicate is true.
In professional writing
- The theory is predicated on...
- The strategy is predicated on...
In a linguistics study
- The predicate structure is complex.
- Analyze the predicate.
- The predicate phrase.
Conversation Starters
"Did you learn about predicates in school?"
"Can you identify the predicate in this sentence?"
"How does the word 'predicated' change the meaning of a sentence?"
"Do you find grammar terms like 'predicate' useful?"
"What is the difference between a simple and complete predicate?"
Journal Prompts
Write a paragraph explaining the difference between a subject and a predicate.
Describe a time you had to learn a difficult grammar concept.
Use the phrase 'predicated on' in three different sentences.
Why do you think we need specific names for parts of a sentence?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsThe verb is the core of the predicate, but the predicate can include more words.
Yes, in compound sentences.
No, they are completely different words.
Most languages have a way to express a predicate, though the structure varies.
Just the main verb.
The verb plus all its modifiers and objects.
Think of it as the 'preacher' of the sentence, telling us what's happening.
Only if you are studying grammar or logic.
Test Yourself
The dog ___.
Runs is the action/predicate.
What is the predicate in 'The sun shines'?
Shines is the action.
A predicate must contain a verb.
The verb is the core of the predicate.
Word
Meaning
These are the two main parts of a sentence.
This is predicated on facts.
His argument was ___ on evidence.
Predicated means based on.
Which is a synonym for predicate in logic?
In logic, a predicate is an assertion about a subject.
The word 'predicate' is common in casual speech.
It is a formal/technical term.
Word
Meaning
Word forms and their categories.
The theory is predicated on logic.
Score: /10
Summary
The predicate is the engine of the sentence that tells us what the subject is doing.
- The predicate is the action part of a sentence.
- It always contains a verb.
- It tells us what the subject is doing.
- The phrase 'predicated on' means based on.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a stage: The subject enters first, then the predicate performs the action.
When Native Speakers Use It
Mostly in school or professional writing.
Cultural Insight
It's a staple of the Western education system.
Grammar Shortcut
Find the verb, then everything after it is usually the predicate.
