by Kitty Nash
- The simple predicate of a sentence is the verb that is done in the sentence. It can be the action that happens, the state of being, or the linking verb.
- Ask yourself, "The subject did what?" It can help if you find the subject first.
Carlos wrote a letter to his uncle. (Carlos did what? He wrote.)
My neighbor's dog barked all night. (Dog did what? It barked.)
- A verb phrase is considered a single idea; therefore, it is still a simple predicate.
Fred Mosby will be my new tutor.
The police officer had explained what happened.
- Not is not a verb. Therefore, it cannot be part of the simple predicate. Be careful when dealing with contractions.
I don't want spaghetti for dinner again.
I do not want spaghetti for dinner again.
Practice What You've Learned
- Use the toolbar above to underline the subject of each sentence once and the verb of each sentence twice. Remember to include helping verbs.
- Roses bloom in my backyard.
- My next door neighbor lives in an old firehouse.
- Jeremiah will be coming to our house for the weekend.
- The performer danced across the stage.
- Ancient people believed in magic.
- Those gummy candies are delicious.
- Your teacher does not want your rough draft instead.
- Allison's new car already needs a new battery.
- My favorite actor's new action movie is playing in theaters this weekend.
- Leading scientists have accepted his theory as fact.