Predicate

B1 16+

Pronunciation: /ˈprɛdɪˌkeɪt/

Definitions of predicate

noun the part of a sentence or clause containing a verb and stating something about the subject

Example Sentences

A1 The predicate of the sentence describes the action or state of the subject.

A2 In English grammar, the predicate is made up of the verb and any other words that describe the action.

B1 A complete sentence consists of a subject and a predicate.

B2 The main predicate in a sentence is usually the main verb.

C1 Understanding the different types of predicates can help improve your writing skills.

C2 An effective writer knows how to vary sentence structure by changing the position of the subject and predicate.

Examples of predicate in a Sentence

formal In linguistics, a predicate is one of the two main parts of a sentence, the other being the subject.

informal The teacher explained that the predicate is the part of the sentence that tells what the subject is doing.

slang I never really understood what the heck a predicate was until my English teacher broke it down for me.

figurative Just like a detective's investigation, the predicate of a sentence reveals the action or state of the subject.

Grammatical Forms of predicate

past tense

predicated

plural

predicates

comparative

more predicate

superlative

most predicate

present tense

predicates

future tense

will predicate

perfect tense

has/have predicated

continuous tense

is/are/was/were predicating

singular

predicate

positive degree

predicate

infinitive

to predicate

gerund

predicating

participle

predicating

Origin and Evolution of predicate

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'predicate' originated from the Latin word 'praedicare', meaning 'to proclaim' or 'to assert'.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'predicate' evolved from its original meaning of 'to proclaim' to its current usage in grammar, where it refers to the part of a sentence that makes a statement about the subject.