What is complete predicate?

The complete predicate is a grammatical term used in sentence structure. It consists of the verb along with any other words or phrases that complete the action or state of being expressed by the verb.

In simpler terms, the complete predicate is everything in a sentence that is not the subject. It includes the verb and any objects, complements, or modifiers that provide more information about the verb.

Here are a few examples to illustrate the concept:

1. "Sheila is studying for her exams." In this sentence, the complete predicate is "is studying for her exams." The verb is "studying," and the phrase "for her exams" provides additional information about the action.

2. "They were eating at the restaurant last night." In this sentence, the complete predicate is "were eating at the restaurant last night." The verb is "eating," and the phrase "at the restaurant last night" provides more details about the action.

3. "The dog chased the ball across the field." In this sentence, the complete predicate is "chased the ball across the field." The verb is "chased," and the phrase "the ball across the field" serves as the direct object, indicating what the dog was chasing.

It's important to note that not all sentences have a complete predicate. Some sentences might only have a simple predicate (just the main verb), while others might have a compound predicate (multiple verbs or verb phrases). The complete predicate can vary in length and complexity depending on the structure of the sentence.