The main difference between predicate and verb is that a predicate is a clause that includes the verb, thus giving information about the subject while a verb is a word expressing an action or state of being.
Oftentimes it is quite difficult for language users to identify the difference between predicate and verb since the verb is essentially a part of the predicate. Moreover, both these parts are fundamentals in a complete sentence.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is a Predicate
– Definition, Examples, Features
2. What is a Verb
– Definition, Features, Examples
3. What is the Relationship Between Predicate and Verb
– Outline of Association
4. What is the Difference Between Predicate and Verb
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Grammar, English, Sentences, Verb, Predicate
What is a Predicate
A sentence essentially contains two parts: the subject and the predicate. Subject is the doer or the agent of the action while the predicate is the part of the sentence containing the verb and the object (and other complementary clauses etc.). Therefore, it is the predicate that gives information about the subject.
Hence, the predicate is necessary to convey the complete meaning of a sentence. A predicate can be a word clause or a phrase and at the heart of it stands the verb of the sentence. Moreover, it expresses or further explains the subject, its state, action, etc. In brief, the predicate is everything in a sentence excluding the subject.
For example:
My father bought me a new laptop with all the new features and devices.
In the above sentence, ‘my father’ is the subject while the other part of the sentence (underlined) containing the verb (bought), Object – direct object (me) and indirect object (a new laptop), subordinate clause ( with all the new features and devices) is the predicate.
However, in sentences such as “He shouts “, predicate and verb are the same since the predicate only consists of the verb.
Thus, the easiest way to identify the predicate is to look for everything except the subject of the sentence, and that everything is what makes the predicate of the sentence. Overall, it is evident that it is the predicate that provides all the necessary information concerning the subject of the sentence.
What is a Verb
Verb is used to describe an action, state, or occurrence, and forms the main part of the predicate of a sentence. A verb is essential for a complete sentence since it explains the action of the subject. Furthermore, the verb should always agree with the gender and the number of the subject as well as the tense of the sentence.
Therefore, by looking at the verb, we should be able to speculate some basic details about the sentence.
For example;
They decided to reschedule the lecture for next week.
In the above sentence, there are two verbs:
decided – the main verb which indicates the action of the subject ‘they’ and it is in the past tense.
to reschedule – the subordinate verb, further explains the verb ‘decided what’ by the subject
In the standard sentence structure, verb follows the subject and precedes the object and other complement clauses. Similarly, the verb is included as a main part of the predicate.
Accordingly, there are varied forms of verbs such as transitive and intransitive verbs, auxiliary and lexical verbs, dynamic and stative verbs, finite and infinite verbs, regular and irregular verbs, etc.
Relationship Between Predicate and Verb
- Verb is an integral part of the predicate of a sentence.
Difference Between Predicate and Verb
Definition
Predicate is the part of a sentence that contains the verb and further information about the subject. On the other hand, verb is the main part of the predicate, which describes an action, state or occurrence.
Grammar
Predicate is a fundamental part in a sentence since it completes the sentence by providing verb, object and other complements and clauses. On the other hand, verb is a word that explains the action or state of the subject. Thus, it should agree with the tense of the sentence, the gender and the number of the subject, etc.
Uses
Predicate is essential since it is the part of the sentence that contains the basic information about the subject. Similarly, in addition to being the word that describes the action or state of the subject, verb also acts as the main part of a clause that makes up the predicate of the sentence.
Conclusion
Since verb is a part of the predicate in the sentence, most people have confusions regarding the difference between predicate and verb. Nevertheless, predicate is a major part of a sentence, and verb is the main component in it. Moreover, it is this clause (the predicament) containing the verb, object and other complements that provide information about the subject of the sentence.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Predicate tree 1” By Tjo3ya – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “1025453” (CC0) via Pixabay
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