Quick Answer
A simple predicate is the main verb or verb phrase that tells what the subject does, is, has, feels, or becomes.
In this sentence, the simple predicate is one word:
Maya finished her homework.
Simple predicate: finished
In this sentence, the simple predicate is a verb phrase:
Maya has finished her homework.
Simple predicate: has finished
A simple predicate does not include the object, adverbs, prepositional phrases, or other extra details. It is the core verb part of the sentence.
What Is A Simple Predicate?
A simple predicate is the verb or verb phrase inside the predicate of a sentence. It shows the main action or state of the subject.
Look at this sentence:
The dog barked at the mail carrier.
Subject: The dog
Complete predicate: barked at the mail carrier
Simple predicate: barked
The words at the mail carrier add more information, but they are not part of the simple predicate. The simple predicate is only the main verb: barked.
The word simple can be confusing because a simple predicate is not always one word. It can include helping verbs.
The dog was barking at the mail carrier.
Simple predicate: was barking
Here, was helps the main verb barking, so both words belong in the simple predicate.
Simple Predicate Grammar Rule
The rule is simple:
A simple predicate is the main verb or verb phrase that belongs to the subject. It excludes modifiers, objects, complements, and phrases that add extra information.
| Sentence | Simple Predicate | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The baby smiled. | smiled | Main verb |
| The baby was smiling. | was smiling | Helping verb + main verb |
| The baby was smiling at her mom. | was smiling | The phrase “at her mom” is extra detail |
| The room is quiet. | is | Linking verb |
| The team will practice tomorrow. | will practice | Helping verb + main verb |
The simple predicate answers this question:
What verb or verb phrase tells what the subject does or is?
Simple Predicate Vs. Complete Predicate
The simple predicate and complete predicate are related, but they are not the same.
The simple predicate is only the main verb or verb phrase.
The complete predicate includes the simple predicate plus all the words that complete or describe it.
| Sentence | Simple Predicate | Complete Predicate |
| Ava checked her email before lunch. | checked | checked her email before lunch |
| The children are playing in the yard. | are playing | are playing in the yard |
| My laptop crashed during the call. | crashed | crashed during the call |
| The soup smells amazing. | smells | smells amazing |
| Our neighbors have planted tomatoes this year. | have planted | have planted tomatoes this year |
In a short sentence, the simple predicate and complete predicate can be the same.
Leo smiled.
Simple predicate: smiled
Complete predicate: smiled
But when extra words are added, only the verb remains the simple predicate.
Leo smiled at the camera.
Simple predicate: smiled
Complete predicate: smiled at the camera
Simple Predicate With One Main Verb
Many simple predicates are one-word action verbs.
The runner stretched before the race.
Simple predicate: stretched
The students opened their notebooks.
Simple predicate: opened
The storm damaged the roof.
Simple predicate: damaged
In each sentence, the simple predicate tells what the subject did. The words after the verb may be important to the meaning of the full sentence, but they are not part of the simple predicate.
Simple Predicate With Helping Verbs
A simple predicate can be more than one word when the main verb has helping verbs.
Helping verbs include words such as is, are, was, were, has, have, had, do, does, did, can, could, will, would, should, may, might, and must.
The team will practice after school.
Simple predicate: will practice
Nora has written three reports.
Simple predicate: has written
The baby is sleeping in the next room.
Simple predicate: is sleeping
We should have called earlier.
Simple predicate: should have called
The helping verb belongs with the main verb because both words work together as one verb phrase.
Simple Predicate With Linking Verbs
Not every simple predicate shows visible action. A simple predicate can also be a linking verb.
A linking verb connects the subject to a word that describes or identifies it.
The room is quiet.
Simple predicate: is
The soup smells delicious.
Simple predicate: smells
Her answer seemed honest.
Simple predicate: seemed
The sky became dark.
Simple predicate: became
In these sentences, words like quiet, delicious, honest, and dark describe the subject. They are important parts of the complete predicate, but they are not the simple predicate.
What Is Not Part Of The Simple Predicate?
A simple predicate does not include every word that follows the verb. It leaves out extra information.
Objects Are Not Part Of The Simple Predicate
An object receives the action of the verb.
The chef baked a cake.
Simple predicate: baked
Object: a cake
Do not mark a cake as the simple predicate. It is the object.
Adverbs Are Not Part Of The Simple Predicate
An adverb tells how, when, where, or how often something happens.
The toddler ran quickly across the room.
Simple predicate: ran
Adverb: quickly
The word quickly modifies the verb, but it is not part of the simple predicate.
Prepositional Phrases Are Not Part Of The Simple Predicate
A prepositional phrase often tells where, when, or how something happened.
The cat slept on the couch.
Simple predicate: slept
Prepositional phrase: on the couch
The phrase adds detail, but the simple predicate is still only slept.
Complements Are Not Usually The Simple Predicate
A complement can complete the meaning after a linking verb.
The answer is clear.
Simple predicate: is
Complement: clear
The word clear describes the subject, but the simple predicate is is.
Compound Subjects And Simple Predicates
A compound subject has two or more subjects sharing the same verb.
Ava and Mia finished the project.
Compound subject: Ava and Mia
Simple predicate: finished
The subject has more than one person, but there is still only one simple predicate.
My brother and sister are watching a movie.
Compound subject: My brother and sister
Simple predicate: are watching
A compound subject does not automatically create a compound predicate.
Compound Predicates And Simple Predicates
A compound predicate happens when the same subject has two or more verbs or verb phrases.
Mia cooked dinner and washed the dishes.
Subject: Mia
Compound predicate verbs: cooked and washed
In school grammar, you may be asked to identify the simple predicates in the compound predicate. In that case, the simple predicate verbs are cooked and washed.
But if the question asks for the predicate type, the sentence has a compound predicate because one subject performs two actions.
More examples:
The dog barked and jumped.
Compound predicate verbs: barked and jumped
The manager approved the plan and sent the email.
Compound predicate verbs: approved and sent
The kids were laughing and clapping.
Compound predicate verb phrases: were laughing and clapping
The key is to check whether one subject is connected to more than one verb.
Tricky Simple Predicate Examples
Some sentences are harder because extra words interrupt the verb phrase or because the sentence contains more than one clause.
When “Not” Appears In The Verb Phrase
The word not is usually an adverb, not part of the simple predicate.
She did not answer the question.
Simple predicate: did answer
Not part of simple predicate: not
In everyday explanation, many teachers may accept did not answer as the full verb phrase, but in strict simple predicate grammar, not modifies the verb phrase rather than acting as the verb itself. Follow your teacher’s style guide if this comes up in class.
When An Adverb Interrupts The Verb Phrase
The lights will often flicker during storms.
Simple predicate: will flicker
Not part of simple predicate: often
The adverb often tells how frequently the lights flicker. It is not part of the core verb phrase.
When A Sentence Has More Than One Clause
Each clause can have its own subject and predicate.
Lena stayed home because she felt sick.
Main clause subject: Lena
Main clause simple predicate: stayed
Dependent clause subject: she
Dependent clause simple predicate: felt
If a sentence has more than one clause, identify the simple predicate for the clause you are analyzing.
How To Find The Simple Predicate
Use this quick method:
- Find the subject.
- Ask what the subject does, is, has, feels, or becomes.
- Find the main verb.
- Include helping verbs that belong with the main verb.
- Leave out objects, adverbs, complements, and prepositional phrases.
Example:
The coach gave the team clear instructions.
Subject: The coach
What did the coach do? gave
Simple predicate: gave
Now compare:
The coach has given the team clear instructions.
Subject: The coach
Verb phrase: has given
Simple predicate: has given
The helping verb has belongs with given, so both words are part of the simple predicate.
Common Mistakes With Simple Predicates
Mistake 1: Choosing The Complete Predicate
Incorrect:
My sister bought new shoes online.
Simple predicate: bought new shoes online
Correct:
Simple predicate: bought
The longer phrase is the complete predicate.
Mistake 2: Leaving Out Helping Verbs
Incorrect:
My sister has bought new shoes online.
Simple predicate: bought
Correct:
Simple predicate: has bought
The helping verb has belongs with the main verb.
Mistake 3: Choosing An Object
Incorrect:
The students read the chapter.
Simple predicate: the chapter
Correct:
Simple predicate: read
The chapter is what the students read. It is the object, not the verb.
Mistake 4: Choosing An Adverb
Incorrect:
The toddler ran quickly.
Simple predicate: quickly
Correct:
Simple predicate: ran
The word quickly describes how the toddler ran.
Mistake 5: Missing A Linking Verb
Incorrect:
The answer is clear.
Simple predicate: clear
Correct:
Simple predicate: is
The word clear describes the answer. The verb is is.
Simple Predicate Examples
| Sentence | Simple Predicate |
| The train arrived late. | arrived |
| My parents are watching a documentary. | are watching |
| The jacket feels warm. | feels |
| The students will finish the project tonight. | will finish |
| Our dog has been sleeping all afternoon. | has been sleeping |
| The new policy may affect remote workers. | may affect |
| Everyone in the office seemed tired on Friday. | seemed |
| The delivery driver was waiting outside. | was waiting |
| The phone kept buzzing during dinner. | kept buzzing |
| The committee approved the final budget. | approved |
Practice: Find The Simple Predicate
Try identifying the simple predicate in each sentence.
- The dog chased the tennis ball across the yard.
- Maria has been studying for the exam.
- The flowers smell fresh.
- My friends and I will meet after class.
- The baby did not finish her bottle.
- The teacher explained the rule and answered questions.
Answers:
- chased
- has been studying
- smell
- will meet
- did finish
- explained and answered
The last sentence has a compound predicate because one subject, the teacher, did two actions: explained and answered.
Simple Predicate Grammar In One Table
| Grammar Term | Meaning | Example |
| Simple subject | Main noun or pronoun the sentence is about | The little dog barked. → dog |
| Complete subject | Simple subject plus its modifiers | The little dog barked. → The little dog |
| Simple predicate | Main verb or verb phrase | The little dog was barking. |
| Complete predicate | Verb plus all words that complete or describe it | The little dog was barking at the gate. |
| Compound predicate | Two or more verbs sharing the same subject | The dog barked and jumped. |
FAQ
What is a simple predicate in grammar?
A simple predicate is the main verb or verb phrase that tells what the subject does or is. In The cat slept on the couch, the simple predicate is slept.
Can a simple predicate be more than one word?
Yes. A simple predicate can be more than one word when it includes helping verbs. In The cat has been sleeping, the simple predicate is has been sleeping.
What is the difference between a simple predicate and a complete predicate?
A simple predicate is only the main verb or verb phrase. A complete predicate includes the verb plus all the words that complete or describe it.
Example:
The cat slept on the couch all afternoon.
Simple predicate: slept
Complete predicate: slept on the couch all afternoon
Is the object part of the simple predicate?
No. The object is part of the complete predicate, not the simple predicate. In Jenna packed her bag, the simple predicate is packed. The object is her bag.
Is a linking verb a simple predicate?
Yes. A linking verb can be a simple predicate. In The room is quiet, the simple predicate is is.
Is “not” part of the simple predicate?
In strict grammar analysis, not is usually an adverb, so it is not part of the simple predicate. In She did not go, the simple predicate is did go, while not modifies the verb phrase. Some classroom materials may treat the full phrase did not go as the practical verb phrase, so follow the rule your teacher or style guide uses.
How do you find the simple predicate quickly?
Find the subject first. Then look for the verb or verb phrase that tells what the subject does or is. Include helping verbs, but leave out objects, adverbs, complements, and prepositional phrases.
Conclusion
A simple predicate is the core verb part of a sentence. It may be one main verb, such as ran, or a verb phrase, such as has been running.
The easiest rule is this:
Keep the verb, include its helping verbs, and leave out the extra details.
Once you can find the simple predicate, it becomes much easier to understand the complete predicate, sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, and how each part of a sentence works.
