English predicates are the main members of the sentence and provide information about the subjects that are inextricably linked with them, conveying the states, qualities or actions of the latter. In their structure, predicates are simple and compound, and the latter can be verbal or nominal.

Simple predicate is a verb standing in any personal form of one of the twelve English tenses, three moods (subjunctive, indicative or imperative) and two voices (passive or active). Simple predicates consist of such a number of words that is necessary to convey the aspectual-temporal form of a particular semantic verb. Phrasal English verbs and whole set expressions(idioms) with a verbal meaning are also treated as simple predicates. For example:

• Oliver visited the National Museum of Australia in October 1989. - Oliver visited the National Museum of Australia in October 1989 (one-word Past Simple Active predicate).
• The National Museum of Australia was visited by Oliver in October 1989. - The National Museum of Australia was visited by Oliver in October 1989 (two-word Past Simple Passive predicate).
• Their house will have been reconstructed by the end of the next year. – Their house will be rebuilt by the end of next year (four-word Future Perfect Passive predicate).
• Fred took out the old couch. - Fred took the old couch outside ( phrasal verb as a simple predicate).
• mark always pays compliments his sisters. – Mark always compliments his sisters (an indivisible idiom as a simple predicate).

Compound predicates

Compound nominal predicates never express any actions, but only convey the characteristics, qualities or states of persons or objects.

The structure of the compound nominal predicate:

The most common connective in such predicates is the verb to be, which in no case is omitted in the present due to the obligatory presence of the verb in English sentences. This moment is a significant difference from the habitual Russian language of lowering ligaments in the present tense. This connecting verb is devoid of semantic load, and its expression completely takes over the nominal part. Almost all parts of speech and also subordinate clauses can be used as a nominal part. For example:

• • Her grandfather was an ensign. - Her grandfather was an ensign (the nominal part is expressed by a noun).
  • They didn't understand that that pen was yours. – They did not understand that that pen was yours (the nominal part is expressed by a pronoun).
  • My cousin is in despair. - My cousin is in despair (the nominal part is expressed by a noun with a preposition).
  • I was against them. - I was against them (the nominal part is expressed by a pronoun with a preposition).
  • Her new skirt is beige. – Her new skirt is beige (the nominal part is expressed by an adjective).
  • Her grandmother is ninety— seven. - Her grandmother is ninety-seven years old (the nominal part is expressed as a numeral).
  • My best tunic was torn. - My best tunic was torn (The nominal part is expressed by the participle).
  • This lecture will have been over by 01.50 p.m. – This lecture will end at 13.50 (nominal part is in an adverb).
  • Her destiny was to live in that small dirty village. - Her destiny was life in that small dirty village (the nominal part is expressed in the infinitive).
  • Her greatest hobby was driving. – Her biggest hobby was driving a car (the nominal part is expressed by a gerund).

Some other English verbs can also act as connectives when they are used in the corresponding meanings, which, unlike to be, add a certain shade to the transmitted action (to stay, become, seem, etc.). For example:

• • Jane starred at them in confusion. Jane looked at them confused / embarrassed.
  • His face turned pale. – His face turned pale (= became pale).
  • John will have become a garage mechanic by the end of July. At the end of July, John will become a car mechanic.
  • Their child doesn't` t seem very happy. Their child does not seem particularly happy (does not seem particularly happy).

Linking verbs do not have a passive voice, instead of which the passive form of the infinitive or gerund is used, for example:

• • Her belongings seem to have been brought. “Looks like her belongings have already arrived.

Compound verbal predicates, unlike nominal ones, convey actions.

The structure of the compound verb predicate:

Modal verbs are never used in sentences on their own. True modal verbs are deficient, that is, they lack many grammatical forms. Used in tandem with the infinitive of the semantic verb, modal verbs give the action a shade of probability, obligation, possibility, etc. The infinitive after modal verbs (1) and verbs in modal meanings (2) is used without "to", except for the verbs ought (1) and to have, to be (2). For example:

• • You need to find another battery for this device. – For this device it is necessary (necessary) to look for another battery.
  • Our guests may come in an hour. Our guests will probably come in an hour.
  • her son must refuse this gift. = Her son has to refuse this gift. Her son must refuse this gift.
  • He is to sleep there at this night. He must sleep there tonight.
  • You oughtn` t to visit your neighbour. You don't need (shouldn't) go to your neighbor.
  • Richard can` t drive. Richard can't drive.

Consider, using the example of the verb “pretend, pretend, act out - to pretend”, the existing forms of the gerund and the infinitive, which can be used as the second component of a compound verbal predicate.

	Infinitive		Gerund
			Valid (active) pledge	Passive (passive) voice
Indefinite		to be pretend ed		being pretend ed
	to have pretend ed	to have been pretend ed	having pretend ed	having been pretend ed
continuous	to be pretend ing

As the first component of a compound verbal predicate, aspect (semi-significant) verbs can also act, which require a certain explanation after themselves, which is given in the form of a gerund or an infinitive. Among them there are phasic verbs that indicate the end, beginning or continuation of an action, for example:

• • We begin to study psychology on Tuesday. – On Tuesday we will start studying psychology (phase verb with infinitive).
  • Sandy went on crossing the street. – Sandy continued to cross the street (phase verb with gerund).
  • Jane finished knitting and started making supper. Jane finished knitting and started preparing dinner.
  • It continued snowing. - The snow continued to fall.

In addition to phase verbs, various state verbs can be used as connectives (turn out - to appear, act - to act, become - to become, to get; become, become - to grow (more), to fade (weaker), to fall (less, below), etc.), verbs of sensation (look - to look, smell - to smell, feel - to feel, sound - to sound, etc.), as well as verbs related to human mental activity (want - to want, hope - to hope, love, like - to like, try, try - to try, intend - to intend, etc.). For example:

• • I want you to pay respect to my relatives. “I want you to show respect to my family.
  • Bob definitely intends to marry his sister. Bob definitely intends to marry his sister.
  • Joan hoped to receive a letter from her boyfriend. Joan hoped to receive a letter from her friend.

Hello, today we will talk about how to correctly agree on the subject and predicate in the number. Yes, usually this does not raise questions, since we can clearly distinguish in the singular or plural the subject stands at the characteristic ending S (ES) and we even know a few cases when .

However, there are times when all this does not help. It is these cases that will be discussed today. However, before you start, I recommend that you remember. These are two related topics, so don't be lazy.

Agreement of uncountable nouns.

The first point of our rule will be to consider the case when the subject is expressed by an uncountable noun.

Let us dwell only on those moments that can cause difficulties.

The following nouns in English (unlike Russian) agree with the verb in the singular:

His research is progressing very well. “His research is going very well.

His advice is really useful. – His advice(s) are very helpful/useful.

Some uncountable nouns outwardly coincide with the plural form, that is, they end in "-s", but the verb-predicate must be used in the singular.

I would like to draw your attention to the word news. In English, the word news is used only in the singular.

Some special cases within the framework of this rule need to be analyzed further:

STATISTICS - is or are?

The word statistics, denoting the academic subject "statistics", is consistent with the verb in singular. However, in the second sense - "statistical data" - it requires the use of a verb in plural.

Compare:

Statistics was also my worst subject (statistics = statistics as a subject).

Statistics are able to prove anything you want them to (statistics = statistics).

POLITICS - is or are?

The word politics, denoting an academic subject or field of activity - "politics / political science" - is consistent with the verb in the singular.

However, in the second meaning - "political views" - requires the use of a plural verb after itself:

Politics is popular at the university (politics = political science).

Her politics are bordering on the extremist (politics = political views).

ECONOMICS - is or are?

The word economics, denoting the academic subject - "economics" - is consistent with the verb in the singular. However, in the meaning of "economic calculations" requires the use of a plural verb after itself.

Economics has only recently been recognized as a scientific study (economics = economics).

The economics behind their policies are unreasonable (economics = economic calculations).

Agreement rules when a phrase is used as the subject.

There are 4 things to remember here.

PARAGRAPH 1.

If the subject is expressed by the title of books, newspapers, magazines, etc., even including a plural noun (i.e. ending in "-s"), the verb-predicate must be used in the singular:

The Los Angeles Times is on the desk.

Gulliver's Travels is a well-known children's book.

POINT 2

When the subject is a phrase denoting period of time, amount of money or distance, then the verb-predicate must be used in the singular:

Forty-five dollars is too much for this skirt. (amount of money)

Five hundred miles is too long to drive in one day. (distance)

Ten minutes was not enough to translate this text. (period of time)

POINT 3

The subject, which includes the following prepositions, is combined with the first noun.

Together with, along with, along with, accompanied by, as well as, in addition to

The girl together with her parents was waiting in the room.

The parents together with their girl were waiting in the room.

The principal as well as the teachers has already left

The new manager accompanied by his wifeis arriving today.

PARAGRAPH 4

In an emphatic construction of the form

it is (was) he/they/the children who/that...

the verb-predicate agrees with the pronoun it, regardless of the number of the following noun or pronoun:

It was the children who made that mess.

It was he who started that quarrel.

It is these questions that are difficult.

Subject agreement expressed by pronouns.

Let's look at those cases where pronouns act as subjects.

In phrases that form a subject group, after pronouns all (of), any (of), half (of), most (of), some (of), none (of) Both countable and uncountable nouns can be used. The choice of the form of the verb-predicate depends on the characteristics of this noun:

• uncountable nouns are followed by a singular verb
• after a plural noun, a plural verb is used

None of the information was made public

None of the answers are correct

Most of the information was made public

Most of the answers are correct

Note. After any of, each of, either of, neither of, none of in combination with a noun (or pronoun) in the plural, a verb-predicate can be used both in the singular and in the plural:

I don't think any of them knows/know where the money is hidden.

None of the TV programs is/are worth watching tonight.

The subject expressed by homogeneous members of the sentence and its agreement with the predicate.

These cases are especially difficult, so pay special attention to them.

If the subject contains two or more words connected by conjunctions and, both...and(like ..., and), the verb-predicate is used only in the plural:

John and Mary were absent from the lecture.

Both my sister and my brother are here.

However, if we agree similar nouns with the expression there is / there are- in this case, agreement occurs only with the first word:

There is a table and two chairs …

There are two chairs and a table…

Moreover, some stable combinations with the union and are perceived as a whole and therefore require the use of a verb in the singular after themselves:

• fish and chips(dish) is very popular in Great Britain.
• Research and development (R&D)(industry) is the part of a business that tries to find ways to improve existing products or to develop new ones.

PAIR UNIONS

If the sentence uses paired conjunctions neither ... nor or either ... or, then agreement occurs with the last noun.

Neither the Prince ipal nor the lecturers were present

Neither the Chief Minister nor his colleagues have given any explanation.

Either you or John has to take the lead in this matter.

Agreement of phrases with the words majority / minority.

After the phrase a/the majority of+ plural noun (people, students, votes, books) (most people, students, votes, etc.) regardless of the article, a plural verb is required:

The majority of primary school teachers are women.

The majority of employees have a university degree.

A large majority of people approve of the death sentence.

Similarly, the phrase a / the minority of + plural noun (people, students, votes, books, etc.) is used (minority of people, students, votes, etc.):

Only a tiny minority of people are causing the problem in the group.

NOTE! Used separately, the words majority and minority have a collective meaning. As a rule, they denote the group as a whole and agree accordingly with the verb in the singular.

A majority has voted in favor of the proposal.

Most of the nation wants peace; only a minority wants the war to continue.

Matching phrases with fractional numbers or percentages

In phrases that include fractional numbers or interest, both countable and uncountable nouns can be used. It depends solely on the noun, and not on its quantity.

Fifty per cent of the pollution in this river comes from industrial waste.

Ninety per cent of the students are present at the lecture.

Nine tenths of the students are present at the lecture.

80 per cent of the electorate is expected to vote

Here is a table with information about the predicate in English.

Predicate(Table 13) in an English declarative sentence usually stands after the subject and happens:

I. Simple; it is a personal verb form:

1) indicative mood
I read a book. - I read a book.
I am reading a book (now). - I'm reading a book now.
I have been reading it (for two days). I have been reading it (for 2 days already).
I have read it. - I read it.
I was given a book. - They gave me a book.

2) subjunctive mood
I should do this work if I had time. I would do this job if I had time.

II. Composite, which consists of a linking verb(link verb) and nominal part(predicative). Verbs are used as a linking verb: be - to be, feel - to feel, keep - to keep, continue, become, grow, get, turn - to become, seem, appear - to seem, look, etc.

As a nominal part are used:

1. Noun
Is not a research worker. - He is a researcher.
Has not become a research worker. - He became a research assistant.

2. Adjective
My house is new. - My house is new.

3. Communions(I, II)
It was well done. - It was well done.
He seemed tired, bul kept working. He looked tired, but continued to work.

4. Pronouns:
1) personal(im. m.) That was he. - That was him.
2) possessive(II form) The paper is his. This is his article.
3) index It was that. - That was it.
4) uncertain It is too much for me. - It's too much for me.
5) relative and connective
The question is who will go there. The question is who will go there.
6) interrogative e What has she become? – What has she become?

5. Numerals:
1) quantitative
They were five. - There were five of them.
2) ordinal
She was the first to do it. “She was the first to do it.

6. Infinitive or Gerund
Our aim is to master English. Our goal is to master English.
Our aim is mastering English. Our goal is to master the English language.

7. Adverb She was out. - She went out.

8. Noun or pronoun with a preposition
When the pendulum is at rest, it shows the direction of gravity. – When the pendulum is at rest, it shows the direction of gravity.
It is for him. - This is for him.

9. Adverbial predicate sentence
The question is if (whether) he will come. The question is whether he will come.

III. Compound, consisting of a modal verb and an infinitive
I can do it. – I can do it.
Is not to go there. “He has to go there.

Translation: verb; the verb to be (become) in combination with a noun, adjective, participle, pronoun, numeral; verbs to become, start, be able, want and others in combination with an infinitive, a subordinate predicate clause.

The main members of the proposal ( main parts of the sentence), both in Russian and in English are subject and predicate. This is the second article devoted to another main member of the sentence - the predicate ( the Predicate). More detailed information you can find about the subject in the article "", posted on the blog in the "" section. If you have already studied it, we turn to the study of the predicate in English. This main member of the sentence denotes the action, state, and also the quality of the object or person expressed by the subject of this sentence. As we can see, the subject and predicate are completely related and dependent on each other, and, as a rule, when parsing the structure of a sentence, they should be studied together.

Two types of predicate in English

In English, there are two types of predicate: verb ( the Verbal Predicate) and nominal ( the Nominal Predicate). The verb predicate determines the action and is expressed by the verb in a personal form (time, and can be any).

He arrived early in the morning.

We are working at the moment.

This woman studies English.

My mother and I have been living here for some years already.

John will move to another city.

All the presented sentences contain a simple verbal predicate ( the Simple Verbal Predicate). But this predicate can also be complex ( the Compound Verbal Predicate). We can talk about complex modal ( the Modal Verbal Predicate) and a complex phase predicate ( the Aspect Verbal Predicate). The first consists of and the infinitive of the verb without to(exceptions include modal verbs ought to, to be to, to have to):

She can run fast.

We have to stop working.

My mother ought to be more polite to other people.

Jackie should join their group.

Tourists must respect traditions of foreign countries.

phase predicate in English- This is a predicate, consisting of certain verbs that denote the beginning, continuation, end of the action, and the infinitive or gerund. Here are some phase verbs: to start, to begin(both start) to go on(continue), to finish, to stop, to cease(all three - finish, stop).

His friend began to study foreign languages.

She started crying.

We went on strolling down the street.

A stranger finished introducing himself.

Now let's move on to the second type of predicate in English, namely, to the nominal. This predicate denotes the state, quality, characteristics of an object or person, that is, it cannot denote an action. The nominal predicate always consists of a verb - a bunch ( link verb) and nominal part ( the predictive). There are a lot of linking verbs, we will list only the main ones:

Verbs of life:

• be(to be)
• look(to look like)
• feel(feel)
• taste(to taste)
• sound(sound, appear)
• smell(smell)

Becoming verbs:

• grow(grow)
• get(reach, become)
• become(become)
• turn(become)
• prove(turn out)

Preservation of quality verbs:

• remain(stay)
• keep(to be saved)
• continue(continue)

Verbs of "appearance":

• seem(seem)
• appear(appear, appear)

By using linking verbs in speech, we make our speech more intense and emotional. For example:

He is upset. - He is sad.

He looks, feels, seems upset. He looks sad, he feels sad, he seems sad.

As for the nominal part of the predicate in English, it can be expressed by the name

From the Russian language, we know that the predicate is one of the main members of the sentence, which expresses the action of the subject. The predicate is included in grammatical basis suggestions. All this is the same in English. And, just like in Russian, English sentence there is a compound predicate or Compound Predicate.

Since we have already considered the predicate in general on our website, today we will talk about the Compound Predicate, that is, about the compound predicate. Why is it so important to get acquainted with Compound Predicate, to know it and use it in speech? What is a compound predicate, what is its construction and structure? We will try to answer these questions in this article. In any case, the use of a compound predicate in speech will make it richer and more complex.

If you want to thoroughly study the compound predicate in an English sentence, then you are in the right place by opening this article. So, let's begin!

Features of Compound Predicate in an English sentence

In English, a compound predicate is not just a compound, but a compound nominal, that is, Compound Nominal Predicate. Its structure is as follows: the linking verb to be in the personal form + the predicative (nominal part). The predicative denotes a sign of the subject, and the linking verb connects the subject with the predicative (nominal part) and expresses person, number, mood and time.

Unlike Russian, in English the verb to be is never omitted. Compare:

• Susan is so beautiful in this dress. — Susansuchbeautifulinthisdress.
• Are you busy this evening? - Are you busy tonight?
• Thomas is sick and tired of all these problems. — Thomastiredfromalltheseproblems.
• We are ready to go to the cinema with you. - WereadygoinmovieWithyou.
• Michael is very intelligent. - Michaelverysmart.

But not only the verb to be can act as a linking verb. The following verbs can also be a linking verb, they are:

• To seem - to seem
• To look - seem to look
• To appear - seem to appear
• To feel - feel

For example:

• Alexseemedveryexcited. Alex seemed very excited.
• Youlookverywell! - You look very good.
• Itappearsverystrange. - It seems very strange.
• Howdoyoufeeltoday? — How do you feel today?
• Thechildlookstiredafterphysicalexercises. The child looks tired after exercise.

In addition, the linking verb can be the verbs to get, to become, to turn, to grow in the meaning of "become, become". For example:

• Amanda turned pale suddenly. — Amandasuddenlyturned pale.
• My elder sister will become a teacher. - Myoldersisterwill becometeacher.
• Michael got angry with me. Michael was angry with me.
• Hegrewold. - He got older (older).
• Alexbecomesmoreandmoreirritable. Alex is getting more and more irritable.

Also, the following linking verbs:

• To remain - stay
• To keep - keep, continue
• To continue - continue
• To begin - begin
• To start - start
• To finish - finish
• To stop - finish, stop (sya)
• To cease - stop
• To go on - continue

For example:

• PaulandMarykepttalking. Paul and Mary continued to talk.
• Everybody in the room remained silent. - Alltoroomkeptsilence.
• Start writing the dictation, please. — Startwritedictation, please.
• They stopped chatting. - Suddenlytheystoppedto chat.
• They began working in the early morning. - They arestartedworkearlyin the morning.
• Continue reading, please. - Keep reading, please.
• stoptalking,please! - Stop talking, please!
• Icannotceaseadmiringmymother. I can't stop admiring my mom.
• goonwriting,please. - Keep writing, please.
• We finished discussing at two o'clock. We finished the discussion at two o'clock.

Now, dear readers, let's move on to the predicate, that is, to the nominal part of the compound predicate.

How is the predicate expressed in the compound predicate?

The predicate or nominal part in the Compound Predicate is expressed by the following words or groups of words:

A noun in the general or possessive case, with or without a preposition:

• This is my brother Alex. Heisapupil. This is my brother Alex. He's a student.
• Is it your pencil? No, it is not mine, it is Michael's. - Ityourpencil? No, it's not mine, it's Michael's.
• My parents are in good health. - Myparentsingoodin good health.
• It is my book. - Itmybook.
• It is Nick's cat. - ItcatNika.

It can be expressed as participle or adjective:

• Willyoubebusytonight? — Will you be busy tonight?
• Thisgirlisbeautiful. - This girl is beautiful.
• We are glad to see you. - Wegladyousee.
• I'm happy. - I'm happy.
• Theseconditionsarebeneficialforoursituation. These conditions are favorable for our situation.

Sometimes expressed by a pronoun in the general or object case, which replaces a noun. Or a possessive pronoun in the absolute form:

• It is him. - Ithe.
• Thatissomething! - That's something!
• Whosewatchisthis?It is mine. — Whosethis iswatch? These are my.
• Who is there? It is me. - Whothere? It's me.
• This is your pencil and that is mine. - Ityourpencil, athen- my.

Can be ordinal or cardinal number:

• They came only ten. - ThemcameTotalten.
• Alex was the first to come. Alex was the first one to come.
• We are twenty-five in our classroom. - Ustwentyfiveinourclassroom.
• Thomas is the third in the group. — Thomas- thirdingroup.
• We were just two. “There were only two of us.

It can be expressed as an infinitive or an infinitive phrase:

• Our discussion was to start at once. — Ourdiscussionstartedstraightaway.
• It is up to my mother to decide. - Itdecidemymom.
• I want to help my children. - Iwanthelpminechildren.
• We want to see you every day. We wish to see you every day.
• Our conversation was to finish suddenly. - Ourtalksuddenlyended.

It happens as a participle (gerund):

• My hobby is collecting books. - Myhobby- collectingbooks.
• I hate smoking. - Ihatesmoking.
• Myfatherhatesconsumingalcohol. My father hates drinking alcohol.
• His favorite occupation is reading books. - Hisfavoriteoccupation- readingbooks.
• Mybesttimeisbeingwithmyparentsandfriends. My favorite pastime is being with my parents and friends.

It can be expressed as a complex with a gerund or an infinitive:

• My parents are against my entering the college this autumn. - Myparentsagainstmyreceiptsincollegethisautumn.
• We do not accept going to the cinema tonight. We do not agree to go to the cinema tonight.
• Ichoosestayingathometoday. I choose to stay at home today.
• Amanda prefers reading at the library. — Amandaprefersreadinginlibrary.
• I want listening to the music. - Iwantlistenmusic.

And, finally, it can be expressed by an adverb.