The predicate is a very important member of the sentence. It is thanks to him that the meaning of what they are trying to convey becomes clear. Of course, there are sentences without this term, but they do not carry the dynamics that are an attribute of the predicate. There are a lot of varieties of this sentence member in the Russian language, and each is used to convey certain semantic shades. Let us examine what a predicate is and its ways of expression.
The grammatical basis of the sentence
Before talking about the predicate as such, attention should be paid to the predicative, or grammatical, basis in which it enters. It is no coincidence that these members of the sentence are called the main ones. Indeed, the subject and the predicate are the main guidelines for the fact that we are not faced with a phrase, but with a more complex syntactic unit.
Here is an example:
1. Colorful fish.
2. Between the stones here and there in shallow water scurry nimble and colorful fish.
In the first case, we have a phrase in which we can distinguish the main and dependent word. However, we do not observe the semantic load about what kind of fish they are, where they live, what happens to them. Thus, we have a phrase. In the second case, we have an offer. Let us prove it. The basis of the sentence is easily identified : the fish scurry about. Here the main idea is already framed, the statement has a finished look, the intonation completeness is felt.
Even if you remove all the minor members, the basis of the proposal remains.
The little fish scurry around. This will no longer be a phrase for the reasons listed above.
In addition to the predicate, which will be discussed later, the subject is included in the predicative basis. This member of the sentence indicates the subject of speech, it is reported in this syntactic unit.
Predictable: definition of a concept
What is the predicate? Its main task is to convey the meaning of what is said about the subject of speech expressed by the subject.
- What does it do? Girl with interest reads a book about butterflies. The predicate reads reports on the action of the subject girl .
- What is the subject of speech? The girl today is unusually beautiful and charming. Homogeneous beautiful, charming report characteristics of the subject girl .
- Who (or what) is he like? Birch is a beautiful tree of Russia, its symbol. The said tree determines that there is such a subject birch .
Predicate types
Considering the meaning in which the predicate is used and its methods of expression, different types of this member of the sentence are distinguished.
Let's take an example. The cheeks are blushing. - The cheeks continue to blush. - Cheeks turn red. All these three sentences convey, in principle, the same idea, but the grammatical meaning and shades of meaning are different for them. So, in the first sentence, the grammatical meaning and semantic load lie on the predicate blush . The second and third sentences are another matter. Here, grammatical and lexical meaning convey different words. The predicates consist of two words (they continue to blush, turn red), one of which (the first) carries a grammatical load, the second (the infinitive in the first case and the adjective in the second) - semantic.
Also, all the predicates of the Russian language are divided into simple and compound. The first consists of one verb, which carries a semantic and grammatical aspects. Sister plays dolls all evening. The predicate plays - simple.
Another thing is a compound predicate and its methods of expression. At least two words take part here, one of which describes the grammatical component, and the second - semantic component (see examples at the beginning of the section).
By their type, a nominal and verb predicate is distinguished, examples of which are given in the following sections. Distinguishing them is quite simple: if one of its parts is expressed by any name: noun, adjective, numeral - it will be called nominal.
Verb predicate and its connection with the subject
Before listing the ways of expressing a nominal and verbal predicate with examples, we will analyze how in the sentence it is associated with the subject.
This can happen by the category of number: The student writes a dictation. - Pupils write a dictation.
Also, coordination can be implemented in number and kind: The student wrote a dictation. - A student wrote a dictation. - The students wrote a dictation.
A special case is when the subject is expressed by a word with the meaning of a quantity. Here it is necessary to take into account the context and put the predicate either in the singular or in the plural. About the bloc floating in the bright blue sky. - Many students will remember school years with gratitude and light sadness. Teaching has a special place among specialists. The last sentence is very indicative, because in it the subject has collective meaning, therefore it is required to put the predicate only in the singular. These are such subjects as the majority, society, people, minority and others.
Simple verb predicate
Let us examine the ways of expressing a simple verb predicate. In it, the semantic and grammatical components are enclosed in one verb form. We make a reservation right away, it is erroneous to say that a simple verb predicate is just one word, since it can be expressed in a form that involves several words, significant or not.
So, ways to express the predicate with examples:
- A verb in any of the moods. I will go on sea vacation (indicative) - I would go on sea vacation (conditional) - Go on sea vacation (imperative).
- A difficult future tense of the verb. I will bake a cake for my birthday (I will bake).
- The verb be , if it matters the presence of something or just existence. It rained all day yesterday. I have such a quality.
- Phraseologism, if the conjugated form takes place in its composition. Olesya finally came to her senses. I find a common language with almost every child and parent.
Compound verb predicate
Let's analyze the compound verb predicate and its methods of expression. It includes the main part and the auxiliary. The first contains semantic load and is an infinitive, the second contains a grammatical meaning. Also, the auxiliary part can be endowed with additional shades of meaning. Let's analyze what a compound verb predicate means. Examples will help to better understand this.
- Stages of action: start, end, duration. I'm going to re-read Pushkin. I finish whitewashing the walls.
- Desire or necessity of action, its possibility. Olga wanted to cut her hair very short. I must warn you of the danger of getting burned.
- Any emotional context. I love to walk along the promenade at any time of the year.
As mentioned above, the main part is always an infinitive verb. The auxiliary can be a short adjective with the meaning of the action: it should, I am glad, and others can also include words of the category of state: you need, you can, fun, bitter, loved, good.
Predictable Noun
The compound nominal predicate has in addition to the auxiliary part the nominal. It contains the semantic component. The auxiliary part is responsible for grammatical content and communication with the subject.
Let us examine what a similar predicate is and how to express it. If we talk about the auxiliary part, then it can be:
- The verb-bunch to be. Its difference is that in the present tense it becomes zero: She was smart and beautiful. She will be smart and beautiful. She is smart and beautiful.
- Other verbs are bundles, which, unlike being endowed with additional meanings: seem, be considered, appear, become, and others.
- Verbs of movement such as sit, come, stand and others. Lisa sat proud and impregnable.
As for the nominal part, it can be a noun, an adjective, a word of a category of state, a participle or an adjective, a complete, short comparatively. Andrei was a whole taller than Igor. The sky was blue and very clear. A table is a piece of furniture, so necessary for the household.
Also in the name part may be present pronouns. The girl was exactly what he had dreamed of. There are numbers. Ten times ten will be one hundred.
Phraseologisms are not uncommon as a nominal part. Shorokhov was a jack of all trades in the construction business.