Question

For each sentence below, identify and write down the simple predicate.

a. In the middle of the night, Siamese cats often sing with great enthusiasm.

b. For a duck, he is a very good dancer.

c. Slippery Sam was, is, and always will be a wonderful salesman.

d. They ran in the street and played in the yard until dinner.

Answer 1

A. Sing

B. Is

C. Was, is, will be

D. Ran, played

Step-by-step explanation:

First, we will define the simple predicate, compound predicate, and complete predicate.

The simple predicate is one verb or verb phrase in the sentence.

The compound predicate consists of two or more verbs or verb phrases that refer to a single subject.

The complete predicate includes all the words in the sentence that give more information about the subject (not only the verb but the words that modify it as well).

The first two sentences are not an issue since we have one verb in each of them (A - sing, B - is). The problem is the last two, which contain more than one verb (C - was, is, will be; D - ran, played), making their predicates compound predicates. Compared to the complete predicate they could be considered simple predicates, but it's best to keep in mind that there is a difference.