The Predicate

Оpinions differ as to what should be considered the predicate of the sentence.

According to one view, the predicate is the whole non-subject group. In the sentence.
He had given the girl an apple, only the subject He is not included in the predicate.
That is, the rest of the sentence constitutes the predicate had given the girl an apple.
The predicate consists of an operator and predication.
Аccording to another view оnly the finite verb phrase asserting something about the
subject should be considered the predicate. In the same sentence the phrase had
given is considered the predicate of the sentence.
Now, we shall examine this second view on the nature of the predicate. Тo define the
predicate оne should take into consideration the following factors. One, the meaning
of the predicate that is its relation to the thought expressed in the sentence. Two, its
syntactic relations in the sentence, and three its morphological realization. Following
this pattern, we arrive at the following definition. The predicate is one of the main
parts of the sentence which denotes an action or property of the subject with
which it agrees in certain cases, and can be expressed morphologically in
various ways. The morphological realisation of the predicate will become clear from
the subsequent classification.
Types of predicate.
The predicate can be classified on the basis of two different principles, according to
structure and according to morphological realization. The structural classification
divides the predicate into two major groups simple predicates and compound
predicates. And respectively we distinguish the following types: simple verbal
predicate, simple nominal predicate, compound verbal predicate, and compound
nominal predicate. The morphological classification divides the predicate into two
major groups but this time they are verbal predicate and nominal predicate and
respectively. We have the following types: verbal, simple predicate, verbal compound
predicate, nominal simple predicate and nominal compound predicate. Now, in our
classes on English syntax, we'll stick to the structural classification, and that's why we
will discuss the following types of predicate, starting with the simple verbal predicate.
I.The simple verbal predicate is expressed by a finite verb phrase in a simple or
compound tense form. The finite verb can be either in the active or in the passive
voice. It expresses an action performed respectively, in active voice or suffered
respectively, expressed in the passive voice by the subject or by the entity denoted
by the subject in the sentence. Examples:
A white mist hides the bay sometimes. Hides is the predicate in the active voice.
Someone had knocked on the door, had knocked active voice.
The door was opened by force, was opened. Passive voice.
The simple verbal predicate can be expressed also by a phraseological unit
consisting of a dissemantized verb followed by a verbal noun like have a look, take
a look, have a walk, take a walk. give a laugh, give a smile, etc. Both parts form one
sense unit. Consequently, the noun cannot be treated as an object to the verb. Joan
gave me an interesting book. What did John give me? In this case we have a verb +
object gave and the object is an interesting book.
The man gave a violent start. You can't ask the question what did the man give? So,
in this case give a start, give a violent start is a phraseological predicate. Two sub-
types of phraseological predicate can be distinguished. One verb + verbal noun
preceded by the indefinite article to have a smoke, swim, run, to give a laugh, push,
start, to take a look, glance, to make a move, one's appearance, farse, etc.. And two
verb + abstract noun without any article to take care, to take hold, to make use, to
make fun, to make up one's mind, to lose sight, to pay attention, to change one's
mind, etc..
Now the simple nominal predicate. This type consists of a noun or adjective, and
there is no verb at all. It is used in exclamatory sentences because it has an
exclamatory effect. The exclamatory effect is achieved by the immediate
neighbourhood of the subject, the noun and the predicate noun or adjective. This
close connection of the two suggests the impossibility or the absurdity of the idea that
they might be connected. For example, My ideas absurd! Now, that subject noun is
my ideas and the predicate adjective is absurd. The sentence expresses the
speaker's indignation at hearing his ideas characterized as absurd. Other examples:
He a gentleman? She a beauty? The subject and the predicate can be coordinated,
connected by conjunction like and. A sailor and afraid of the weather? Sentences
with this type of predicate cannot be called elliptical within a lighted?, ellipted link
verb because the addition of a link verb will change the meaning of the sentences
completely. My idea is absurd? Is not the same sentence as My ideas are absurd.
Another type of simple nominal predicate is derived through ellipses from a
compound nominal predicate by placing the predicative in initial position. The link
verb is ellipted and the predicative is fronted, moved to the head of the sentence.
This lends to the sentence a specific colloquial flavor. For example, a sentence like
Cricket is a splendid game can be transformed into Splendid game cricket! You
may have a comma before cricket. All this is quite serious transforms into Quite
serious, all this!
There are sentences to in which the predicate is expressed by a non-finite verb form
the participle or the infinitive as in the following mini dialogue:
Have you had a quiet guard?
Not a mouse stirring.
Stirring is a participle. And then John announcing the results, announcing.
And examples with the infinitive A gentleman to strike a lady! To strike a lady is a
predicate. My daughter marry you? Marry you is the predicate.
Now the compound verbal predicate. This predicate consists of two parts, notional,
and semi auxiliary. The notional part is expressed by an infinitive or gerund. It
denotes an action performed or suffered by the subject. The semi auxiliary part is
expressed by a finite verb which carries the verbal categories of the predicate. The
verbal categories of the predicate are tense, mood, person, etc. By its lexical
meaning it also imparts a modal or aspective character of the action denoted by the
infinitive or gerund. Aspective character of the action means the beginning, the
duration and or sensation finish or stop of the action. And in this case, we don't mean
the verbal category of aspect. We mean a stage in the development of the verbal
action. For example, began to laugh, stopped crying, etc.. So these are examples of
compound verbal predicate. Accordingly, there are two types of compound verbal
predicate, model and aspective The compound verbal modal predicate. This type of
predicate shows whether the action expressed by the non finite form of the verb is
considered a possible, impossible, obligatory, necessary, desirable, etc.. These
shades of meaning are expressed by the first component of the predicate. To this
type belongs the following patterns:
1/ modal verb + infinitive
In most cases this is the bare infinitive without the particle to. Examples: can prove
would give, could hear, wouldn't come, ought to resign, etc.
2/ Be or have + infinitive
Was to arrive, is to report, has to work, etc..
3/ lexical verbs with a modal meaning + infinitive or gerund.
Such lexical verbs do not denote actions, but various modal meanings like intention,
determination, attempt, desire, hope and like. For example, To expect, to try, to
endeavor, to hope, to attempt to long for, to wish, to want. etc.. And the examples are
was trying to learn, Wanted to read, Longs to have, hoped to survive or wished to
become, expected to arrive. Etc.
4/ Be going + infinitive
This pattern expresses intention, also previously taken decision which is announced
at the moment of speaking. For example, he is going to work hard and earn a lot of
money. Well, it could be interpreted partly as he is determined he has taken this
decision to work hard
5/The phraseological units had better, had the best, would rather, would have +
infinitive
For example: We had better go home. I'd rather stick around. Etc.
II. Compound verbal aspective predicate.
This type consists of a finite verb followed by an infinitive or gerund. The finite verb
denotes the beginning, duration or end of the action expressed by the infinitive or
gerund. Such verbs are, for example. Begin. Keep. Continue. Go on. Proceed. Stop.
Finish. Seize. For example. Began to descend. Seized to ache. Continued to work.
Etc.. Here we can include the phrases would + infinitive and used to + infinitive
which express habitual repeated actions in the past which are no longer conducted.
For example: In the spring the birds would return, When young, he used to travel a
lot.
The compound verbal model predicate of the type wish to succeed and the
compound verbal aspective predicate began to work can be given a different kind of
analysis which is a different kind of structural analysis. Since both types of finite
verbs can be followed by nominal objects, it is possible to interpret the non finite
verbs following them as objects. 2. For example, I wish him luck. Luck is a direct
object. I wish to succeed, to succeed can be interpreted as a direct object. So, in this
case, we have two possible interpretations. Wish – predicate, to succeed - direct
object or the whole phrase verb phrase, wish to succeed can be interpreted as a
compound verbal modal predicate. Well, the same refers to the compound verbal
aspective predicate in some cases, like He began work began simple verbal
predicate work, direct object, or he began to work in this case we have began simple
verbal predicate to work direct object or a second interpretation of the second
example began to work - compound verbal perspective, predicate. Semantically
considered such combinations of form one sense unit compound verbal or modal
aspective predicate.
Now some explanations on this point can be found in your practice book. The English
Syntax Practice book by Michael Grancharov, which I hope you all have. Or it can be
found in the bookshop.
III.The compound nominal predicate
The compound nominal predicate consists of a link verb followed by a predicative. In
English is also called subject complement. Well, it is the same. In Bulgarian we make
the Bulgarian linguists make a difference between predicative and subject
complement. In fact, the Bulgarian linguists consider it predicative only the true
predicative which we will discuss later when we discuss the types of predicative.
Now, the link verb has a two fold function. It functions in two ways. First, it connects
the subject with the predicative. And second, it carries the verbal categories of the
predicate, tense aspect, mood, perfect, etc.. The predicative is the significant part of
the compound nominal predicate. It serves to characterize the subject by referring to
it in two different ways.
a/ It can be co-referential with the subject. It can identify the subject.
b/ It may indicate some quality of the subject. Grammatically considered it has the
following general characteristics a/ it normally follows the subject. b/ it can not
become subject through passivization.
c/ It has a varied morphological realization.
Turning to link verbs again, it should be noted that all link verbs have partly lost their
original concrete, meaning. The verb to be is the one most devote of any meaning of
its own. However, it should be borne in mind that the great number of the link verbs
can be used as verbs of complete predication or as verbs fully preserving the ir lexical
meaning. In this case, the predicate is to be analyzed as simple verbal predicate, not
as a compound nominal predicate. Examples. She had grown too proud. This is a
compound nominal. Had grown too proud. But That year, he had grown tons of
potatoes in this case had grown as simple verbal predicate. The nightmare of my life
had come true, had come true - compound nominal predicate. But They were coming
for the night, were coming presents complete predication and it is a simple verbal
predicate.
In fact, there are different degrees of weakening of the lexical meaning of the link
verb. The different degrees of weakening of the semantic meaning of the link verbs
can be represented as a scale. At one extremity of the scale are link verbs which
have entirely lost their meaning. For example, He is a student. At this idea He went
mad. Here went has lost its meaning because it means he became mad and
therefore this is a compound verbal nominal predicate became mad at. The other
extremity of the scale are link verbs which fully preserve their lexical meaning, and
yet they are followed by a predicative. For example, The poor woman sat amazed.
sat preserves its meaning. It denotes an action performed by the woman and at the
same time, amazed functions as predicative. I stood transfixed with awe and joy. He
came home tired. She went away quite a child. She married young. She returned a
grown-up woman. He died a bachelor. Now in all these cases. If we drop the
predicative, the verbs preserve their meanings and the sentences are grammatical
and logical. He died. He died a bachelor. In both sentences the verb has the same
meaning only in the sentence with the predicative this meaning is slightly modified.
There is some more information added to the action or state described by the verb.
Now, the link verbs in these sentences are predicates in themselves because they
contain some information about the subject. They convey a meaning of their own.
Came, Died, married, etc. But the main point of the sentence, the focus of the
sentence lies in the information conveyed by the predicative. Such predicates are
called double predicates because the sentence has both a simple verbal predicate
and a compound nominal predicate.
In between these two extremes of the scale, namely link verbs which are entirely
desemantized and link verbs which fully preserve their meaning, we find a link verbs
which have lost their semantic meaning to varying degrees. For example, In that part
of Africa, the natives go naked all the year round. We do not mean that the natives
permanently move about, but we take the action, which is most characteristic in a
given situation. It should also be noted that the link verb can be in the passive voice.
This is especially frequent with the verbs find, think and report. For example, He was
found guilty. He was reported dead. He was reported missing in action. The passive
link verb can be followed by a predicative morphologically realized by an infinitive.
For example, He was known to have arrived. If the infinitival predicative is to be, it is
then in its turn followed by a predicative. And we have a syntactic structure in which
one predicative is found within another predicative Example. He was said to be a
great actor. After the verb said we have a predicative to be a great actor, but to be is
itself a link verb and it's followed by a predicative, a great actor. So, we have two
predicative the whole verb phrase, infinitival verb phrase to be a great actor and on
the nominal predicative, a great actor. Also, another example, He was reported to be
dead. The bigger predicative to be dead contains another predicative, just dead.
Apart from these these types of predicate, we find also mixed types of predicate.
Similarly to the compound verbal predicate, the compound nominal predicate can be
associated with verbs which impart to the predicate a modal or aspective meaning.
And such predicates consist of three components.
1/ the compound modal nominal predicate
You may have a modal verb or verb with a modal meaning followed by a link verb.
And this link verb is followed by a predicative, for example. It must be getting late.
So, the whole predicate is must be getting late. And it is a mixed type because it is
mixed between the compound verbal and compound nominal. You have a link verb in
it or other examples. It must seem very funny to you, seem is a typical link verb.
Therefore, what follows it is a predicative. And on the other hand, you have a modal
verb must. So again, we have a mixture between the compound nominal predicate
and the compound modal predicate. So, we have a compound modal nominal
predicate in these cases,
2/ the compound aspective nominal predicate in which we have a verb of
beginning, duration or cessation of the action, followed by a link verb followed by
predicative. For example, I began to be afraid you'd never come back again. The
predicate here is began to be afraid, and we have an aspective verb began. We also
have a link verb to be. And after a link verb, we have a predicative. And therefore this
is a mixture between the compound verbal aspective predicate and the compound
nominal predicate. Another example, the Grey House has ceased to be a house for
family life or I continued to be glad for that. Etc., Of course, you can make different
mixtures.
3/ We could also mention as number three, the compound modal aspective
predicate
A modal verb + verb of beginning, duration or sensation. That is an aspect of a verb
+ gerund or infinitive which is the notional part, the meaningful part of the predicate.
All the while, he had to keep on resisting the impulse to turn around, had to keep on
resisting. You' have modal verb, had you have aspective verb and you have the
notional part, which in this case is expressed by the gerund form resisting. Another
example I had to begin living all over again, had to model meaning, begin aspective
meaning and living - this is the lexical meaning of the predicate. Another example.
He ought to stop doing nothing and criticizing everybody. Ought to – modal, stop - .
aspective, doing the notional or lexical part of the predicate. In the next lecture we'll
discuss the predicative and the types of predicatives. I also would like to draw to your
attention to the fact that some terms are very close in sounding and it would be
advisable to keep them strictly apart. In other words, don't mix up predicate
predicative. These are different concepts. Also, nominal and nominative. Well, the
basic idea is the same, but we use them to denote different aspects in syntax.
Nominative is a case. The case grammatical case in which we find the subject in
some languages, while that is nominative, while nominal means derived or having the
characteristics of a noun. OK. That’s all.