The subject is always the initiator or starter of a sentence. Predicate is all except subject. The predicate tells us what a subject is going to do or be.
At the left, there is a picture. A picture of a monkey and a banana, and bamboo. He is performing some actions-eating and sitting. Clearly, the subject is the monkey. So we go as
- A monkey is eating a banana.
- He is sitting on a bamboo.
So here, what the monkey is doing we come to know from predicate.
A predicate tells us about the action (verb) of a subject as well as the verb extension (object).
Not only that, it also tells us about the action being finished or continued.
The monkey still has banana peel in his hand and is still sitting on the bamboo. So the continuous action.
From the above examples, eating is a verb, and is eating is a verb phrase. Banana is an object of the verb and bamboo is the object of a preposition, on. Take some more examples
We |can lift more weight|.
Sara |has finished her graduation|.
Aman |should take his medicine properly|.
Again, a picture of a kid and book, and table; in a happy mood. Clearly, the focus (the subject) is the kid. So we go
The kid is happy.
The kid is a reader.
He has a book.
He has a cap.
Now, shift the focus to the book.
The book is open.
The book is in his hand.
Now, to the table.
The table is clean.
In all of the above examples, all other than the subjects are the predicate. So the predicate has words other than the verbs.
Whatever we want a subject to do or be, it must be put under predicate.
From here arises a new term, complement, in a sentence. Beside complement, we must be familiar with adjuncts, disjuncts and conjuncts that make our sentences more clear and deep. Complement helps a sentence complete in all senses. It either redefines or renames the subject or object or modifies the subject or object. Take examples from above
The kid is happy.
The kid is a reader.
In the first sentence, happy (an adjective) is modifying the subject, the kid. In the second sentence, a reader (a noun) is adding additional information about the subject, the kid. The first is the example of predicate adjectives (because of adjectives used as modifiers), and the second is the example of predicate nominatives (because of nouns used for renaming). Both fall under subject complement. Subject complement always takes linking verbs.
My television is Sony.
My television is complicated.
You are an athlete.
You run fast.
As subjects are renamed or modified, objects are also renamed or modified.
Sara makes him monitor.
Sara makes him happy.
In both of the sentences, we have objects, him. In the first sentence, noun (monitor) is actually renaming him. It is actually telling about him that him is a monitor. In the second example, happy is modifying the object, him. It is telling that him is happy.
He appointed her accountist.
Sara left us disappointed.
We consider him wise.
She calls Davy a scientist.
In the predicate also come adjuncts, disjuncts and conjuncts. These creatures either influence the verb used, our judgement or mood, or connect clauses. These are actually adverbs, so they are also called adverbials.
Take an example from above
The book is in his hand.
The phrase in his hand is telling us where the book is. This is an example of adjunct. An adjunct adds extra information to the subject, verb or object. They are usually a part of the sentence. The adjunct tells us about time (at midnight, almost, in the morning, etc.), manners (angrily, in silence, by bus, etc.), and reason (because, since, due to, etc.).
Sara will come |tomorrow|. (time)
He did not come office |yesterday| |due to his father illness|. (time, reason)
He listened to his boss |in silence|. (manner)
We left him |in the office| |angrily|. (place, manner)
He hears |in the park| that the police have snatched the thieves |inside the bank| |noiselessly|.
Disjunct comes at the beginning of a sentence and modifies the entire sentence. It expresses the speakers’ attitude to the statement he is going to utter. Admittedly, surprisingly, certainly, possibly, technically, financially, are some of the disjuncts that are put at the beginning separated by the comma.
Admittedly, he never goes there.
Technically saying, this is not going to work.
Certainly, he has left the office.
Generally speaking, he is not much use.
Conjuncts are actually connectors used to join two sentences so to give complete meaning. If we want to add extra information about the subject, we can use also, besides, moreover, etc.
He is a good athlete. Besides he is a marvelous singer.
Watching television is not a healthy habit. Moreover, it encourages obesity.
Likewise, if we want to show reason we can use hence, consequently, therefore, etc.
Sara worked hard for the exam. Therefore, she stood first.
Sara did not work hard for the exam, consequently, she scored less marks.
Some of the disjuncts are given below.
For giving example: namely, for example, for instance, that is (i.e.), that is to say, etc.
These two friends, namely, Rohan and John, can be seen together.
For comparison: equally, likewise, similarly, in the same way, etc.
Sara is good at typing. Equally, her sister is good.
For inference: (or) else, otherwise, therefore, then, in that case, etc.
We should start to move early. Or else we will be late.
For replacement; alternatively, rather, in other words, etc.
He is not a fool. Rather, he is so smart.
For antithesis: instead, on the contrary, in / by contrast, by comparison, on the other hand, etc.
Don't go through this road. Instead you can go through the river.
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