Download Complete Subjects and Predicates

Simple Predicates, or Verbs
Chapter 1.3
Here’s the Idea
You have learned about the simple subject
of a sentence. You also need to know
about the simple predicate.
The simple predicate, or verb, is the main
word or words in the complete predicate.
Hercules battles the nine-headed Hydra.
What is the complete predicate?
battles the nine-headed Hydra
What is the simple predicate?
battles
Look at this sentence.
His nephew helps him in the struggle.
What is the complete predicate?
helps him in the struggle
What is the simple predicate?
helps
A verb is a word used to express an
action, a condition, or a state of being.
NOTE: A linking verb tells what the subject is.
Greek Myths are timeless.
are
Linking Verb
NOTE: An action verb tells what the subject
does, even when the action cannot be seen.
Hercules arrived in a foreign city.
arrived
Action you can see.
The ruler disliked Hercules.
disliked
Action you cannot see.
Why It Matters in Writing
The verb is the most important word in a
complete predicate because it tells what the
subject does or is. When describing an event,
choose powerful verbs that will help your
readers imagine the action.
Example:
The Hydra went at Hercules with one of its deadly heads.
Revision:
The Hydra lunged
lungedat Hercules with one of its deadly heads.