Predicates in Simple Sentences
Predicates in Simple Sentences
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Predicates in Simple Sentences
Open with the idea that every complete sentence needs two main parts: a subject and a predicate. This lesson focuses on how to spot and use the predicate.
Learning goal
I can identify and use predicates in simple sentences.
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Words you connect with subject and predicate
Use this to surface prior knowledge and possible confusion between subject, verb and predicate before teaching the definitions.
What is a predicate?
The predicate is the part of a sentence that tells what the subject does or is.
It includes the verb and may also include other words that complete the idea.
In a simple sentence, the subject and predicate work together to make a full thought.
Keep the definition consistent throughout the lesson: the predicate tells what the subject does or is. Avoid introducing more advanced distinctions such as complete predicate vs simple predicate unless needed orally.
Subject and predicate
In a sentence, the subject names who or what the sentence is about.
The predicate tells something about that subject.
Birds | sing
The teacher | is patient
Use the vertical bar orally to show the split between subject and predicate. Emphasise that the predicate is everything said about the subject in these examples.
Action predicates
An action predicate tells what the subject does.
Maya runs
- verb: runs
- predicate: runs
The dog chased the ball
- verb: chased
- predicate: chased the ball
We laughed loudly
- verb: laughed
- predicate: laughed loudly
Point out that the verb is the core of the predicate, but the predicate may include more than just the verb.
Linking-verb predicates
A linking-verb predicate tells what the subject is like or what the subject is.
The sky is blue
- verb: is
- predicate: is blue
Sam was tired
- verb: was
- predicate: was tired
The soup smells good
- verb: smells
- predicate: smells good
Students may expect every predicate to show action. Stress that some predicates describe a state or quality through a linking verb such as is, was, or smells.
One word or a phrase
A predicate can be one word or a phrase.
One word: Stars shine
Phrase: Stars shine at night
The verb stays at the centre, and the extra words add meaning.
This slide helps students avoid the mistake of thinking the predicate is always only the verb. The phrase can include objects or descriptive words after the verb.
Which sentence part is the predicate?
what the subject does or is
who the sentence is about
the naming word only
the first word only
Checks the core definition after slides 2–6. Distractors target confusion with subject and with the idea that the predicate is just one word or just the first word.
Complete the summary
A predicate tells what the subject does or is. It includes the verb and can be one word or a phrase. Some predicates show action, and some use a linking verb to describe the subject.
Echoes the wording from the definition and example slides. Each blank is load-bearing vocabulary already taught.
Why is the predicate sometimes more than just the verb?
Expected elements: students should identify the verb as the core of the predicate and explain that extra words can go with the verb, as in 'chased the ball' or 'is blue'.
Predicates in statements
In a statement, the subject usually comes before the predicate.
The children played outside
My brother is tall
The book fell off the desk
In each sentence, the predicate comes after the subject and tells what the subject does or is.
This is the most familiar sentence pattern, so use it as the anchor before moving to questions.
Predicates in questions
In a question, the order may change, but the predicate still tells what the subject does or is.
Is Mia ready?
- subject: Mia
- predicate: is ready
Did the baby sleep?
- subject: the baby
- predicate: did sleep
Students may struggle because the verb can appear before the subject in a question. Explain that the predicate idea stays the same even when the word order changes.
How to find the predicate
Find the subject.
Ask: What does the subject do or is?
Find the verb.
Take the verb and the words that go with it.
Example: The cat slept on the sofa
subject: The cat
predicate: slept on the sofa
This gives students a practical method they can reuse. Keep the wording close to the learning goal.
In which sentence does the predicate come before the subject?
The book fell off the desk.
My brother is tall.
Is Mia ready?
The children played outside.
Checks understanding that questions can change word order while the predicate still tells what the subject does or is.
Find the pattern
In a statement, the subject usually comes before the predicate. In a question, the order may change. To find the predicate, first find the subject, then take the verb and the words that go with it. In 'The cat slept on the sofa', the predicate is slept on the sofa.
Reinforces the contrast between statements and questions and the step-by-step method from slide 9.
What is one thing you learned about predicates today?
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What part of this lesson felt hardest?
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Glossary
predicate - the part of a sentence that tells what the subject does or is
subject - who or what the sentence is about
verb - a word that shows action or a state of being
action predicate - a predicate that tells what the subject does
linking verb - a verb that links the subject to a description or identity
linking-verb predicate - a predicate built around a linking verb that tells what the subject is or is like
phrase - a group of words that works together but is not a complete sentence
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