Predicates 

The predicate is the part of the clause or sentence that says something about the subject. 

Predicate is a verb or verb phrase telling what the subject does or is.

In other words, the part of the sentences that is not the subject and its modifiers is the predicate. A predicate can be one word or several words, not all of which are verbs. 

The principal part of the predicate is the verb.

• The dog sniffed .  
• The dog has been sniffing . 
• The dog sniffed, looked around, and growled.

Compound verbs are two or more verbs joined by a conjunction, (in this sentence, the word and ) and relating to the same subject. The subject of the following sentences is cobra :

• The cobra saw the dog coming closer and raised itself into striking position.
• The cobra hissed , opened its hood, and prepared to strike.

Complete predicates are all the words in a clause or sentence except the subject and its modifiers:

• The cobra saw the dog coming closer and raised itself into striking position.
• The old dog climbs slowly up the stairs.
• The agile dog moved from side to side rapidly, trying to corner the cobra.

Simple predicate: the main verb in the full predicate that indicates the action or state of being of the simple subject.

• The old dog climbs slowly up the stairs.

Compound predicate: a complete predicate with multiple verbs.

• He thought of his lover and missed her dearly .
• The goose was looking straight ahead and running for the pond .