Predicate is a statement or explanation of the subject's action state or characteristics, pointing out "what to do" and "what is this".
Predicate verbs are usually located after the subject, and verbs and adjectives are often used to act as predicate verbs. In English, verbs are mainly divided into two categories according to their functions, one is predicate verbs, and the other is non-predicate verbs.
Predicates are composed of simple verbs or verb phrases (auxiliary verbs or modal verbs+main verbs). According to their complexity in sentences, predicates can be divided into simple predicates and compound predicates. No matter what tense, voice and mood, all predicates composed of a verb are simple predicates.
Differences between predicate verbs and non-predicate verbs:
1. Distinguishing between predicate verbs and non-predicate verbs
1. Predicate verbs can be used as predicates independently in sentences, but non-predicate verbs cannot be used as predicates independently.
miss Mary teachers us English.
Mary teaches us English.
(teachers verb as predicate)
Mr. Victor Camel to our classroom to have a talk with us last week.
Mr. Victor came to our classroom to talk with us last week.
(to have a talk ... infinitive as adverbial)
2) Predicate verbs are limited by the person and number of the subject, but non-predicate verbs are not.
lark likes the pop music.
lark likes pop music.
(verb in singular third person form)
Lark has nothing to do today.
Lark has nothing to do today.
(do in prototype)
3) Features of non-predicate verbs: If the non-predicate verb is a transitive verb, it must be followed by an object.
studying English is my favorite.
learning English is my hobby.
(studying followed by object)
2. Non-predicate verbs can have their own adverbials or logical subjects.
working under such a condition is terrible.
It's terrible to work in such an environment.
(under such a condition is an adverbial of working)
It's too difficult for him to master English in such a short time.
It is too difficult for him to master English in such a short time.
(for him as the logical subject of infinitive)
3. Non-predicate verbs still have changes in voice and tense.
I am sorry to have kept you waiting long.
Sorry to have kept you waiting.
(to have kept ... is the perfect form of infinitive)
Seen from the mountain, the city looks much more beautiful.
Seen from the mountain, the city is much more beautiful.
(seen from ... is the passive form of participle)
4. Non-predicate verbs can be used as nouns or adjectives in sentences.
Our coming made him happy.
Our arrival made him very happy.
(coming is a noun)
There are two big swimming pools here.
There are two large swimming pools here.
(swimming acts as an adjective)