Compound predicate in English. Predicate in English: types with examples

23.12.2020

From the Russian language, we know that the predicate is one of the main members of the sentence, which expresses the action of the subject. The predicate is included in the grammatical basis of the sentence. All this is the same in English. And, just like in Russian, English sentence there is a compound predicate or Compound Predicate.

Since we have already considered the predicate in general on our website, today we will talk about the Compound Predicate, that is, about the compound predicate. Why is it so important to get acquainted with Compound Predicate, to know it and use it in speech? What is a compound predicate, what is its construction and structure? We will try to answer these questions in this article. In any case, the use of a compound predicate in speech will make it richer and more complex.

If you want to thoroughly study the compound predicate in an English sentence, then you are in the right place by opening this article. So, let's begin!

Features of Compound Predicate in an English sentence

In English, a compound predicate is not just a compound, but a compound nominal, that is, Compound Nominal Predicate. Its structure is as follows: the linking verb to be in the personal form + the predicative (nominal part). The predicative denotes the sign of the subject, and the linking verb connects the subject with the predicative (nominal part) and expresses person, number, mood and time.

Unlike Russian, in English the verb to be is never omitted. Compare:

Susan is so beautiful in this dress. — Susansuchbeautifulvthisthe dress.
Are you busy this evening? - Are you busy tonight?
Thomas is sick and tired of all these problems. — Thomastiredfromalltheseproblems.
We are ready to go to the cinema with you. - WereadygovcinemaWithyou.
Michael is very intelligent. - Michaelverysmart.

But not only the verb to be can act as a linking verb. The following verbs can also be a linking verb, they are:

To seem - to seem
To look - seem to look
To appear - seem to appear
To feel - feel

For instance:

Alexseemedveryexcited. Alex seemed very excited.
Youlookverywell! - You look very good.
Itappearsverystrange. - It seems very strange.
howdoyoufeeltoday? — How do you feel today?
Thechildlookstiredafterphysicalexercises. The child looks tired after exercise.

In addition, the linking verb can be the verbs to get, to become, to turn, to grow in the meaning of "become, become". For example:

Amanda turned pale suddenly. — Amandaall of a suddenturned pale.
My elder sister will become a teacher. - Myoldersisterwill becometeacher.
Michael got angry with me. Michael was angry with me.
Hegrewold. - He got older (older).
Alexbecomesmoreandmoreirritable. Alex is getting more and more irritable.

Also, the following linking verbs:

To remain - stay
To keep - keep, continue
To continue - continue
To begin - begin
To start - start
To finish - finish
To stop - finish, stop (sya)
To cease - stop
To go on - continue

For instance:

PaulandMarykepttalking. Paul and Mary continued to talk.
Everybody in the room remained silent. - EverythingToroomkeptsilence.
Start writing the dictation, please. — Startwritedictation, please.
They stopped chatting. - All of a suddentheystoppedto chat.
They began working in the early morning. - Theystartedworkearlyin the morning.
Continue reading, please. - Keep reading, please.
Stoptalking,please! - Stop talking, please!
Icannotceaseadmiringmymother. I can't stop admiring my mom.
goonwriting,please. - Keep writing, please.
We finished discussing at two o'clock. We finished the discussion at two o'clock.

Now, dear readers, let's move on to the predicate, that is, to the nominal part of the compound predicate.

How is the predicate expressed in the compound predicate?

The predicate or nominal part in the Compound Predicate is expressed by the following words or groups of words:

A noun in the general or possessive case, with or without a preposition:

This is my brother Alex. Heisapupil. This is my brother Alex. He's a student.
Is it your pencil? No, it is not mine, it is Michael's. - Thisyourpencil? No, it's not mine, it's Michael's.
My parents are in good health. - Myparentsvgoodin good health.
It is my book. - Thismybook.
It is Nick's cat. - ThiscatNika.

It can be expressed as participle or adjective:

Willyoubebusytonight? — Will you be busy tonight?
Thisgirlisbeautiful. - This girl is beautiful.
We are glad to see you. - Wegladyousee.
I'm happy. - I'm happy.
Theseconditionsarebeneficialforoursituation. These conditions are favorable for our situation.

Sometimes expressed by a pronoun in the general or object case, which replaces a noun. Or a possessive pronoun in the absolute form:

It is him. - Thishe.
Thatissomething! - That's something!
Whosewatchisthis?It is mine. — Whoseitclock? These are my.
Who is there? It is me. - Whothere? It's me.
This is your pencil and that is mine. - Thisyourpencil, athen- my.

Can be ordinal or cardinal number:

They came only ten. - TheircameTotalten.
Alex was the first to come. Alex was the first one to come.
We are twenty-five in our classroom. - UStwentyfivevourclassroom.
Thomas is the third in the group. — Thomas- thirdvgroup.
We were just two. “There were only two of us.

It can be expressed as an infinitive or an infinitive phrase:

Our discussion was to start at once. — Ourdiscussionstartedstraightaway.
It is up to my mother to decide. - Thissolvemymom.
I want to help my children. - I AMwanthelpminechildren.
We desire to see you every day. We wish to see you every day.
Our conversation was to finish suddenly. - Ourtalksuddenlyended.

It happens as a participle (gerund):

My hobby is collecting books. - Myhobby- collectingbooks.
I hate smoking. - I AMhatesmoking.
Myfatherhatesconsumingalcohol. My father hates drinking alcohol.
His favorite occupation is reading books. - Hisfavoriteclass- readingbooks.
Mybesttimeisbeingwithmyparentsandfriends. My favorite pastime is being with my parents and friends.

It can be expressed as a complex with a gerund or an infinitive:

My parents are against my entering the college this autumn. - Myparentsagainstmyreceiptsvcollegethisautumn.
We do not accept going to the cinema tonight. We do not agree to go to the cinema tonight.
Ichoosestayingathometoday. I choose to stay at home today.
Amanda prefers reading at the library. — Amandaprefersreadingvlibrary.
I want listening to the music. - I AMwantlistenmusic.

And, finally, it can be expressed by an adverb.

Predicate ( The Predicate)
There are four types of predicate in English:
1) simple verbal predicate;
2) modal verbal predicate;
3) phrasal verbal predicate;
4) compound nominal predicate.

Simple verb predicate ( The Simple Verbal Predicate)
expressed by a semantic verb in a personal form, which can be a simple or complex form of any tense, voice and mood:
I am going to the library today. - I am today I'm going to the library.
Shall I change your books? -Change you books?
Wait forme.I am coming too. -wait me. I also I'm going.
Ann is not at home. - Anna No Houses.
A special kind of simple verbal predicate is the predicate expressed by turnover thereis:
There is a fine park in our town. - In our city there is good park.
There wasn't a shop in our street. - On our street not It was shop.
In such sentences, the subject always follows the verb.

Modal verb predicate ( The Modal Verbal Predicate)
A modal verbal predicate consists of a modal verb ( can,may,must,should,need,ought,be,have,havegot) in the personal form and the infinitive or its base of the semantic verb. The second part of the modal predicate can also be a combination of the infinitive of the linking verb tobe,tolook,toappear,toseem,tofeel etc. and predicate. The modal predicate expresses the attitude of a person to an action or state (possibility, necessity, probability, desirability, etc.):
Can youswim? - You can you swim?
He ought to be more polite. - Him should be more polite.
It must be about ten. - It's probably around ten now.

Phrasal predicate ( The Group Verb Predicate)
A phrasal predicate consists of a verb with a weakened meaning in a personal form (most often - verbs tohave and totake) and a noun. This combination forms a single semantic and grammatical whole. It is often equivalent to a simple verbal predicate:
I have dinner. - I AM having lunch.
I din.
I have a rest. - I AM resting.
Irest.
A phrasal predicate usually denotes a short (single) action. The most common combinations of this type are:
to have dinner (breakfast, supper, lunch, tea, a snack); to have a lesson (lessons); to have a talk; to have a look; to have a cold; to have a good time; to have a rest; to have a bite; to have a drink; to have a smoke; to have a quarrel; to have (take) a walk; to take a bath; to take a seat; to take a tram (bus, etc.); to take care, to pay a visit; to pay attention, to catch cold.
Let's have a swim. - Let's swim.
Did you have a talk with him? - You are with him talked?

Compound nominal predicate ( The Compound Nominal Predicate)
A compound nominal predicate consists of a linking verb tobe in personal form and predicative (nominal part). The predicative denotes some sign of the subject, and the linking verb serves to connect the subject and the predicate and expresses person, number, tense and mood. Unlike the Russian language, the verb tobe never goes down. Compare:
Our town is very beautiful. - Our city is very handsome.
Are you ready? - You ready?

Except the verb tobe, the following verbs can also be used as a linking verb:
1) verbs toseem, tolook,toappear with the meaning "seem to look like" and the verb tofeel with the meaning of feel:
Youlook tired. - You are looking tired.
She seemed veryexcited. - She seemed very excited.
Hefeels fine. - He feels yourself perfectly.

2) verbs to get, to become, to turn, to grow with the meaning "become":
Mu brother will become an engineer.- My brother will become engineer.
She turned pale. - She turned pale.

3) verbs to remain, to keep, to continue, to begin, to start, to finish, to stop, to cease, to go on with the value of the beginning, continuation and end of the action or state:
Hekept talking. - He continued talk.
Everybody remained silent. - Everything kept silence.
Startworking, please. -start work please.
He stopped chatting at once. - He stopped chat instantly.
Predicative (T he predictive) can be expressed by the following words and groups of words:

a noun in the general or (rarely) possessive case without a preposition or with a preposition:

This is mine sister Ann. Sheisa student . - That's mine sister Anna. She student.
Is it your book? – No, it's not mine, it is Nick's. - This yoursbook? - No, it's not mine. Nicholas.
She is in good health. - She is quite healthy.

adjective or participle:

When will you be free today? - When will you free today?
This chair is broken. - This chair broken.

a pronoun in the general or object case, replacing a noun, or a possessive pronoun in the absolute form:

It's me. - This I am.
That's something! - It's already something-what!
Whose book is this? – It's mine. - Whose book is this? - My.

quantitative or ordinal number:

We were only two. - We were only two.
I was the first to come. - I came first.

infinitive or infinitive phrase:

Our plan was to start at once. - We planned to begin straightaway.
It'suptoyouto decide. - You solve.

gerund:

My hobby is collecting postage- My hobby - collecting stamps. postage stamps.

adverb:

The lesson is over. - Lesson finished.
Our time is up. - Nowadays expired.

complex with an infinitive or gerund:

My father is against my entrycollege this autumn. - My father is against my receipt to college this autumn.

Agreement of the predicate with the subject
The predicate agrees in person and number with the subject of the sentence:
What areyou doing? - Iam preparing for my lessons. - What are you doing? - I'm getting ready for class.

If the subject is expressed by an indefinite, negative or generalizing pronoun, the predicate is put in the singular:
Everybody knows it. - Everyone knows this.
Either month is all right. - Either of these two months is fine.

If the subject is expressed by a gerund or an infinitive, the predicate is in the singular:
meeting her was a pleasure. - It was nice to meet her.

If the subject is a collective noun, then the predicate can be in the singular or in the plural, depending on whether the persons or objects indicated by the collective noun are considered as one, or whether they mean the individual persons (objects) that make up this single whole:
Thecrowd was helpless. - The crowd couldn't help it.
The fleeing crowd were scattered by the mounted police. - The running crowd was scattered mounted police.

If the subject is expressed by a numeral or a noun denoting a measure of time, distance, weight, etc., with a definition expressed by a numeral, the predicate can stand in the singular or in plural depending on whether this quantity is considered as a single whole or the components of this single whole are meant:
30 miles is a day's journey in these hills. - 30 miles is a day's journey among these hills.
6 cm aluminum are required to stop all beta rays. - It takes 6 centimeters of aluminum to stop all beta particles.

If two homogeneous subjects, expressed by nouns or pronouns, are connected by unions and or both… and, the predicate is plural:
T he Earth and other planets move aroundtheSun.- The earth and other planets move around the sun.
Both the dog and his master were dragged ashore by Peter and Hans. Both the dog and its owner were dragged ashore by Piet and Hans.

If two subjects, expressed by pronouns or nouns, are connected by conjunctions neither...nor,either…ornotonly…butalso, the verb-predicate agrees in person and number with the last subject:
Either Margaret or I'm going with you. - Margaret or I will go with you.
Neither Margaret nor her sisters were ready. - Neither Margaret nor her sisters were ready.

If two subjects are joined by a conjunction aswellas, the predicate agrees in person and number with the first subject:
John as well as his brothers, doesn't bear townfolk.-John, like his brothers, can't stand the townspeople.

is what is said about: what (subject) does? what is done with it? what is it? The predicate is simple and compound, which in turn is nominal and verbal.

Simple predicate in English

A simple predicate consists of , person, number, pledge, mood.

It can be a one-word predicate, for example, a verb in:

I bought a ticket - I bought a ticket.

We like your voice - We like your voice.

But “simple” does not mean one word. A simple predicate can be expressed by a verb in any tense:

I will talk about it to your parents. “I will talk about this with your parents.

The tower has been demolished. The tower has been demolished.

Compound nominal predicate in English

A compound predicate can be nominal and verbal.

Types of predicate in English

The compound nominal predicate is built according to the scheme:

Linking verb + nominal part

The nominal part denotes who or what the subject is or becomes. In the role of the nominal part are usually used, or

I will give examples with the linking verb to be:

to be + noun

Alex is a lawyer. Alex is a lawyer.

She was my friend. - She was my friend.

to be + adjective

I am not sure. - I'm not sure.

Elephants are smart. - Elephants are smart.

to be + participle

The gate is locked. - The gates are locked.

My radio is broken.- My radio is broken.

to be + pronoun

This wallet is not yours. This wallet is not yours.

That bag is mine.- This bag is mine.

Compound verbal predicate in English

Compound verb predicateconsists of two elements:

Verb + infinitive\gerund

The verb in the first part is either modal or one of those verbs that by themselves do not give a complete meaning.

Modal verb + infinitive

I can swim- I can swim.

You must help your friend. You must help your friend.

Verb + infinitive\gerund

After a verb that does not give the full meaning, an infinitive or is possible. In most cases, the infinitive will be with the particle to. There are many such "incomplete" verbs, and they are often found in speech.

Expressed by the verb in personal form in any tense, voice and mood. The form of the verb can be simple, i.e. without auxiliary verbs (He speaks English. He speaks English), or complex, i.e. with auxiliary verbs(Not is reading now. I shall be waiting for you at 5. I shall be waiting for you at 5).

Note. In Russian, the forms I will wait, I will read, etc. are also a simple predicate expressed by a complex form of the verb in the future tense.

Verbs with postpositions (such as to carry out) stable combinations with a verbal meaning (such as to take care to care) also form a simple predicate in the sentence.

The beta-rays are known to move with high velocity. -- Beta rays are known to travel at high speeds.
I seem to have promised you that I "d take you in my lab. - It seems that I promised you that I would take you to my laboratory.
He is sure to be sent there. “He will certainly be sent there.
He was seen crossing the bridge. We saw him cross the bridge

Compound nominal predicate consists of a linking verb (link-verb) and a nominal part of the predicate (nominal part of the predicate1). The nominal part of the predicate is also called the “predicative member” (predicative). The copula has auxiliary functions in the predicate: it connects the subject with the nominal part of the predicate and serves as an indicator of time, voice, mood and, in some cases, person and number. The most common link is the verb to be:

quantities of force. Forces are vector quantities.

Note. In Russian, the link is usually not used in the present tense.

In addition to the verb to be, other verbs can also perform the link function. Such verbs include: to get, to become, to grow, to turn in the meaning of becoming, moving from one state to another; to seem, to appear (Does not seem quite well. He seems to be quite healthy.) and some others, indicating being in a state or transition from one state to another of an object or person indicated by a noun (or pronoun) in the function of the subject:

The weather got colder and the leaves on the trees turned yellow -- The weather got colder and the leaves on the trees turned yellow.

Note. When the same verbs are used in their main meaning, they perform the function of a simple predicate in a sentence, for example: Not turned the key in the lock. He turned the key in the lock. (Here turned is a simple predicate, the key is a direct object.) This collective farm grow

s vegetables. This farm grows vegetables. (Here grows is a simple predicate, vegetables is a direct object.)

The nominal part of the predicate can be expressed:

1) Noun:

The unit of resistance is an ohm -- The unit of resistance. is om.

2) Adjective:

The peaceful coexistence of different social systems is possible

3) A numeral:

The mass of an electron is 1/1830 that of a hydrogen atom -- The mass of an electron is 1/1830 of the mass of a hydrogen atom

4) Pronoun:

The street is mine, the houses are mine. The street is mine, the houses are mine. (V. Mayakovsky)

5) Adverb:

The lesson is over. The lesson is over.
She is out. She's gone (she left).

6) Non-personal forms of the verb (infinitive, participle and gerund):

The thing to do now," he said, "is to close up, go home, and sleep."
All the doors of the laboratories and classrooms were closed and locked. - All doors of laboratories and audiences were closed and locked.
Our aim is mastering English. -- Our goal is to master English.

7) Prepositional phrases and phrases:

I am in a hurry. -- I'm in hurry.
The molecules of all bodies are in constant motion, The molecules of all bodies are in constant motion.

8) A complex turnover with a gerund or an infinitive:

The nominal part of the predicate, expressed by a complex object with a gerund or an infinitive, is called a complex nominal part of the predicate:

The aim was our winning one of the first places in the contest. -- The goal was for us to win one of the first places in the competition
"Johnsy has one chance in ten," the doctor said. "And that chance is for her to want to live." "Johnsy has one chance in ten," the doctor said. "And that chance is that she wants to live."

Agreement of the predicate with the subject

The predicate agrees in person and number with the subject of the sentence:

Water has the least volume at 4"C. -- Water has the least volume at 4" Celsius.
Solid bodies have a definite form and volume. -- Solids have a certain shape and volume.

If the subject is one of the indefinite pronouns ( anyone,no one, everything, everybody etc.), as well as either or neither, the predicate is in the singular;

Everybody knows it. - Everyone knows it.
Either of the rubber rods is attracted by a glass rod. - Each of the ebonite rods is attracted by the glass rod.

If the subject of the sentence is a gerund or an infinitive, the predicate is in the singular:

Melting takes place at the temperature called melting point, -- Melting takes place at the temperature called the melting point.

If the subject is a collective noun, then the predicate can be in the singular or in the plural, depending on whether the persons or objects indicated by the noun are considered as one, or whether they mean separate persons (or objects) that make up it's one whole:

A woman tried to fight her way back to the thick of the crowd... but the crowd-was helpless. - Some woman tried to break through the crowd ... but the crowd could not part (lit.: was helpless).
The fleeing crowd were scattered by the mounted police. The fleeing crowd was dispersed by the mounted police.

If the subject is a numeral or a noun denoting a measure of time, distance, weight, etc., with a definition expressed by the numeral, the predicate can be singular or plural, depending on whether this quantity is considered as one whole or we mean the constituent parts of this single whole:

300,000,000 is the velocity of light in meters per second. -- The speed of light is 300,000,000 meters per second.
Thirty miles is a day "s Journey in these hills.-- 30 miles is a day's journey among these hills.
The twelve dollars a month you pay me is enough. “The twelve dollars a month you pay me is enough.
While 1 mm of aluminum will stop all alpha-rays 6 cm are required to stop all beta-rays .

If two subjects expressed by nouns or pronouns are connected by the union and or Both ... and, the predicate is plural:

The earth and other plans ets move around the sun. The earth and other planets revolve around the sun.
Both the dog and his master were dragged ashore by Pete and Hans. “Both the dog and its owner were dragged ashore by Piet and Hans.

If two subjects expressed by nouns or pronouns are connected by conjunctions neither ... nor, either... or, not only...but also, the verb-predicate agrees in person and number with the last subject

Either Margaret or I am going with you. "Marguerite or I will go with you."
Neither Margaret nor her sister was ready. Neither Marguerite nor her sister were ready.

If two subjects are joined by a conjunction as well as as well as, the predicate agrees in person and number with the first subject:

Liquid, as well as solids. becomes radioactive when put through a nuclear reactor. -- Liquids, like solids, become radioactive when passed through a nuclear reactor.
Gases, as well as liquids, return to their original volume as soon as the applied force is removed. -- Gases, like liquids, return to their original volume as soon as the applied force is removed.

Note. On the agreement of the predicate with the subject, expressed by various nouns and interrogative-relative pronouns, see respectively ..13-20 and 90, 93.

The infinitive performs in the sentence all the syntactic functions characteristic of a noun and a verb:

Subject

To err is human.

It is natural to make mistakes .

In the first case, the infinitive acts as the subject of the sentence and takes a position at the beginning of the sentence.

In the second case, the sentence has two subjects: the formal ‘it’ and the nominal ‘to make mistakes’. Compare: To make mistakes is natural.

predict. Predicate.

In English, as in Russian, there are different types of predicates:

Simple Verbal Predicate. Simple verbal predicate.

The infinitive is used to form analytical verb forms: auxiliary verbs + the Infinitive .

The cinema will close in November. (Future Simple)

The shop didn't open last week. (Past Simple)

Does he often play tennis? (interrogative form Present Simple)

Compound Nominal Predicate. Compound nominal predicate.

A compound nominal predicate consists of a linking verb (to be) in the appropriate form and an infinitive.

my greatest wish is to tell everything you.

Your only chance was to speak to him.

Compound Verbal Modal Predicate. Compound verbal modal predicate.

A compound verbal modal predicate consists of a modal verb or a synonymous expression (to be able to, to be allowed, to be capable, to be going, had better, would sooner) and an infinitive.

You should follow a healthy diet.

He can't utter a word.

You needn't have bought any bread.

I wasn't able to reach him on the phone.

Compound Verbal Phasal Predicate. Compound verbal aspect predicate.

A compound verbal aspect predicate consists of an aspect verb that indicates the various phases of the action (beginning, duration, end, repetition) and an infinitive . Aspect verbs include: to begin, to start, to come, to go on, to continue, to proceed, to cease, used to.

It started to rain .

He continued to live with his parents even after marriage.

German Empire ceased to exist in 1918.

He used to talk to me for hours.

Mixed Predicate. Mixed type of predicate.

Sometimes there are sentences with a mixed type of predicate.

The boy must be her son.- the Compound Modal Nominal Predicate.

She must start to train regularly.- the Compound Modal Phasal Predicate.

object. Addition.

The infinitive acts as an object if it depends on the verb, adjective, participle and answers the question "what?".

She agreed to come at ten.

I regret to have said it to her.

Can you help me to find the ring?

He was amused to hear it.

She is proud to have grown such a son.

attribute. Definition.

The infinitive acts as a definition if it depends on a noun, pronoun, substantiated numerals and adjectives, and answers the question “what?”

He is just the man to do it.

She needs a place to live in.

I have nobody to ask .

John was the first to come .

Adverbial modifiers. Circumstance.

Adverbial Modifier of Purpose. Purpose circumstance.

An infinitive is a circumstance of purpose if it depends on the predicate and answers the question "why?" for what purpose?"

Laura has gone to town to do some shopping .

To get a good seat, you need to arrive early.

Adverbial Modifier of Result (Consequence). The circumstance of the result (consequence).

The infinitive in a sentence acts as a circumstance of the result if it is used after the following structures:

Too + Adjective + to Infinitive:

It was too cold to go outside.

Too + Adverb + to Infinitive:

He had gone too far to return.

Adjective + enough + to Infinitive:

She is old enough to go out on her own.

Adverb + enough + to Infinitive:

He ran fast enough to win the race.

Enough + Noun + to Infinitive:

We've got enough room to put you up.

parenthesis. Introductory words.

Introductory words are not members of a sentence, but such constructions with an infinitive are very common: to begin with, to be frank, to put it mildly, to tell the truth, strange to say etc.