Subject and Predicate Worksheets | Simple Predicate Worksheet - Free Printable

Simple Predicate Worksheet – Solved

The simple predicate is the main verb or verb phrase in a sentence that tells what the subject does or is. It includes the main action or state of being, but not the modifiers or objects.

Let’s go through each sentence and underline the simple predicate (the main verb or verb phrase). I'll explain each one briefly.

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1. The brown horse appeared at the starting line.
✔ appeared
*Explanation:* "appeared" is the main action of the subject "horse."

2. The student arrived late to class because he woke up late.
✔ arrived
*Explanation:* "arrived" is the main verb describing what the student did. Although "woke up" is also a verb, it's part of a subordinate clause ("because he woke up late"), so the main simple predicate is "arrived."

3. John looked out of the window to check the sky.
✔ looked
*Explanation:* "looked" is the main action of John. The rest explains where and why.

4. The big audience grew very restless waiting for the play to start.
✔ grew
*Explanation:* "grew" is the linking verb showing a change in state. "Restless" is a complement, but the simple predicate is just the verb "grew."

5. The air in the classroom smelled fresh.
✔ smelled
*Explanation:* "smelled" is the linking verb connecting the subject to its description ("fresh").

6. The blue dolphin swam freely in the ocean.
✔ swam
*Explanation:* "swam" is the main action of the dolphin.

7. The wealthy owners grew flowers all around their house.
✔ grew
*Explanation:* "grew" is the main verb showing what the owners did.

8. The race track looks very wet because it has been in the rain many hours.
✔ looks
*Explanation:* "looks" is the main verb describing the state of the track. The clause after "because" is extra information.

9. The brown horse galloped around the track.
✔ galloped
*Explanation:* "galloped" is the action performed by the horse.

10. The blue birds love to eat peanuts.
✔ love
*Explanation:* "love" is the main verb. "To eat peanuts" is an infinitive phrase explaining what they love, but it's not part of the simple predicate.

11. The basketball players warmed up before the game.
✔ warmed up
*Explanation:* "warmed up" is a phrasal verb — both words are part of the verb phrase. So the entire "warmed up" is the simple predicate.

12. Bird watchers must always wait with patience.
✔ must wait
*Explanation:* "must wait" is the verb phrase. "Must" is a modal auxiliary verb, and "wait" is the main verb. Together, they form the simple predicate.

13. The big company pays for its workers medical insurance.
✔ pays
*Explanation:* "pays" is the main verb. The rest describes what is being paid.

14. The bank will keep a record of your work.
✔ will keep
*Explanation:* "will keep" is the verb phrase. "Will" is a modal, and "keep" is the main verb. Together, they form the simple predicate.

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✔ Final Answers (Underlined Simple Predicates):

1. The brown horse appeared at the starting line.
2. The student arrived late to class because he woke up late.
3. John looked out of the window to check the sky.
4. The big audience grew very restless waiting for the play to start.
5. The air in the classroom smelled fresh.
6. The blue dolphin swam freely in the ocean.
7. The wealthy owners grew flowers all around their house.
8. The race track looks very wet because it has been in the rain many hours.
9. The brown horse galloped around the track.
10. The blue birds love to eat peanuts.
11. The basketball players warmed up before the game.
12. Bird watchers must wait with patience.
13. The big company pays for its workers medical insurance.
14. The bank will keep a record of your work.

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🔍 Summary Tips:

- The simple predicate is the main verb or verb phrase.
- Ignore prepositional phrases, adverbs, or objects.
- Look for the word that tells what the subject does or is.
- Modal verbs (like *will*, *must*, *can*) are part of the predicate when used with a main verb.

Let me know if you'd like this as a printable PDF or need help with more grammar topics!