THE PREDICATE

- The predicate is the required part of the sentence that tells us something
about the subject.
- Every predicate must have a verb, either a linking verb or an action verb.
- Linking verbs tell us what the subject is, and action verbs tell us what a
subject is doing.
- Some action verbs are up to six words long, and we use these
constructions
every day without realizing it.
In this chapter's example sentences, the verbs make up the entire predicate.
It's important to carefully study verbs in order to study predicates.
NOTE: We will cover only action verbs in the next several chapters.
Linking verbs will be introduced in Chapter Seven. In order to find a
linking
verb, think about what the sentence is telling you the subject is, was, or
will
be. The most common linking verb is "to be."
Verb Tense Table
Take a look at these examples of verbs to get a feel for verbs before we
begin to diagram. I have used the action verb “diagram” as the example.
"To
diagram" is the infinitive form of the verb.
You can practice conjugating verbs by filling in the table with the verb “to
smile,” or you can use your own favorite action verb. Be sure to make all
of
the verbs agree with a first, second, or third person singular or plural
subject
pronoun. For example, all of the examples in the following table match the
third person singular pronouns: “it,” “he,” or “she.”

Verb Tenses and Aspects

Infinitive:
To
Diagram
Simple Perfect
Continuous
Perfect
Continuous
THE PREDICATE
- The predicate is the required part of the sentence that tells us something
about the subject.
- Every predicate must have a verb, either a linking verb or an action verb.
- Linking verbs tell us what the subject is, and action verbs tell us what a
subject is doing.
- Some action verbs are up to six words long, and we use these
constructions
every day without realizing it.
In this chapter's example sentences, the verbs make up the entire predicate.
It's important to carefully study verbs in order to study predicates.
NOTE: We will cover only action verbs in the next several chapters.
Linking verbs will be introduced in Chapter Seven. In order to find a
linking
verb, think about what the sentence is telling you the subject is, was, or
will
be. The most common linking verb is "to be."
Verb Tense Table
Take a look at these examples of verbs to get a feel for verbs before we
begin to diagram. I have used the action verb “diagram” as the example.
"To
diagram" is the infinitive form of the verb.
You can practice conjugating verbs by filling in the table with the verb “to
smile,” or you can use your own favorite action verb. Be sure to make all
of
the verbs agree with a first, second, or third person singular or plural
subject
pronoun. For example, all of the examples in the following table match the
third person singular pronouns: “it,” “he,” or “she.”
Had, has,
have, will
have + past
participle
"to be" +
present
participle
Had, has,
have, will
have + "to
be" + present
participle
Past
Tense Diagrammed Had
diagrammed
Was
diagramming
Had been
diagramming
Present
Tense Diagrams Has
diagrammed
Is
diagramming
Has been
diagramming
Future
Tense
Will
diagram
Is going to
diagram
Will have
diagrammed
Is going to
have
diagrammed
Will be
diagramming
Is going to be
diagramming
Will have
been
diagramming
Is going to
have been
diagramming
Examples of Action Verbs
In order to find an action verb in a sentence, think about what the sentence
is
telling you the subject is doing. Ask Do what? or Does what? or Will do
what? to help you find the verb. To challenge yourself even more, see if
you
can name the verb tenses and aspects in the following examples. The verbs
are in bold type.
Finding an Action Verb
Sentences Questions Verbs
Boats float. Boats do what? Boats float.
Sailors sailed. They did what? Sailed.
Waves will be lapping. What will waves be
doing? They will be lapping.