25) The Predicate

The predicate is the second principal part of the sentence which expresses an action, state, or quality of the person or thing denoted by the subject. It is grammatically dependent on the subject. According to the structure and the meanings of the predicate we distinguish 2 main types of predicate: the simple predicate and the compound predicate.

The Simple Predicate

It is expressed by a finite verb in a simple or a compound tense form. There is a special kind of simple predicate expressed by a phraseological unit (to get rid, to take care, to pay attention, to have awash, to lose sight…) – phraseological predicate: the 1^st component –the finite verb has lot its concrete meaning to a great extent and forms one unit with the N, consequently the N cannot be treated as an object to the verb.

• The man gave a violent start.

We distinguish 2 types of phraseological predicates:

1. word combinations of the following type to have a smoke, to have a run, to take a look, to give a laugh, to make a move, to give a push (finite verb + N formed from a verb (V) and mostly used with the indefinite article).

• He had a smoke.

2. word combinations of the following type to get rid, to get hold, to make use, to take care, to lose sight, to make fun, to pay attention, to change one’s mind… (the 2^nd component of these combinations is in most cases an abstract N used without any article.)

• You were making fun of mother just now.

The Compound Predicate

It consists of 2 parts: a finite verb + some part of speech (N, ProN, Adj.,Verbal). It can be nominal or verbal.

The Compound Nominal Predicate

It denotes the state or quality of the person/thing expressed by the subject, or the class of persons/things to which the person/thing belongs. The compound nominal predicate consists of a link verb + a predicative (the nominal part of the predicate).Most link verbs, except be, to some extent preserve their meanings: to appear, to get, to grow, to continue, to feel, to keep, to look, to turn, to prove. to remain, to fall, to go, to seem, to smell.

• He grew more cheerful.

There are some verbs which, though fully preserving their concrete meaning, perform the function of a link verb: to lie, to sit, to die, to marry, to return, to leave, to come, to stand, to fall…

• The poor woman sat amazed.

According to their meaning link verbs can be divided into 2 large groups:

1. link verbs of being and remaining (to remain, to keep, to continue, to smell, etc.)

• The door remained wide open.

2. link verbs of becoming ( to become, to get, to leave, to run, to turn, to make, etc.)

• this becomes uninteresting, however, after a time.

The predicative can be expressed by:

1. N in the common case

• She’s a pretty child.

2. adjective

• He’s awfully selfish.

• It tastes delicious.

3. ProN

• It’s me.

4. word of category of state

• But I’m afraid I can’t keep the man.

5. numeral

• He was the first to break the silence.

• I’m only 18.

6. prepositional phrase

• The things were outside her experience.

7. infinitive, inf. phrase/construction

• Her 1^st thought was to go away.

8. gerund, gerundial phrase/construction

• My favorite sport is swimming.

9. Participle II

• He was surprised at the sound of his own voice.

10) Adverb