The predicate expresses an action or a state characterizing the subject. The predicate contains the mood and tense components of the predication which are denoted by the finite form of the verb. It depends on the subject for the forms of person and number.
TYPES OF PREDICATE
I. The simple predicate may be expressed by:
1) a finite verb in a synthetical or analytical form (this is simple verbal predicate)
Birds sing.
I have been sitting here for 30 minutes.
I was sent in to get my tea.
2) a phraseological equivalent of a finite verb, in this case the predicate is called simplephraseological;
here belong phrases denoting momentaneous action:
have a look
have a smoke
have a talk
give a look
give a laugh
give a cry
take a look
make a move
make a remark
pay a visit
Did you have a sleep?
The man gave him a look and went out.
and phrases denoting various kinds of actions (in most cases they comprise an abstract noun):
change one’s mind
get rid of
get hold of
lose sight of
make fun of
make up one’s mind
make use of
take care of
take leave
take part in
I’ve never taken much interest in German songs.
Soon they lost sight of the ship.
II. The compound predicate may be verbal and nominal
1) The compound nominal predicate (CNP) consists of a link verb and a predicative expressed by a nominal element. The link verb expresses the grammatical categories of mood, person, number, tense, aspect, voice. The predicative carries the lexical meaning of the predicate (the state or quality of the subject).
I am a student.
This will be very difficult.
Link verbs, with regard to their meaning fall into 3 groups:
-1. verbs of being: be (also: look, feel, sound, smell, taste).
-2. verbs of becoming: become, grow, get, turn.
-3. verbs of remaining: remain, keep, stay.
All such verbs, when used as link verbs, are to be followed by an adjective, not by an adverb. This is because the word is a complement used to qualify the subject, not to modify the verb.
The predicative may be expressed by:
1) a noun
She is a beauty.
2) an adjective (or an adjective combination)
The problem is difficult.
The matter is difficult to settle.
3) a pronoun
It’s me.
The book is mine.
Who are you?
She was herself again.
4) a numeral
I’ll be twenty-one tomorrow.
Lady is first.
5) an infinitive (infinitive construction)
My plan is to start immediately.
They best thing is for you to join us.
6) a gerund (gerundial construction)
My hobby is fishing.
This is not playing the game.
7) a participle
He looked embarrassed.
It is so disillusioning!
8) a clause
That’s what I think.
The best thing to do is what your adviser suggests.
2) The compound verbal predicate
A) The compound verbal modal predicate (CVMP) shows whether the action expressed by the non-finite form of the verb is considered possible, obligatory, necessary, desirable, doubtful, etc. It may be expressed by:
- A modal verb + an infinitive
Something must happen.
You needn’t bother.
- A modal expression + an infinitive
Some modal expressions:
to be able
to be obliged
to be bound
to be willing
to be anxious
to be capable
to be going
to be sure
to be (un)likely
I’m not going to stand that sort of thing.
Are you willing to prove that?
He is sure to cope with the task.
- A verb with modal meaning + an infinitive
Some verbs with modal meaning: to hope, to expect, to intend, to attempt, to try, to endeavour, to long, to desire, to get to, etc.
He tried to get the unachievable.
B) The compound verbal aspect predicate (CVAP) expresses the beginning, repetition, duration or cessation of an action expressed by the non-finite form of the verb. It consists of a finite verb with an aspective meaning (beginning, repetition, duration, end) + a verbal (infinitive or gerund).
The most common verbs used as the first component in this type of predicate are: begin, start, continue, keep, go on, stop, finish. Here also belong “would + infinitive” and “used to + infinitive” denoting a repeated action in the past.
He began to ask questions again.
They went on talking.
At last they stopped shooting.
He would call on us every day.
I used to dance a lot when I was young.
MIXED TYPES OF COMPOUND PREDICATE
The compound modal nominal predicate (CMNP)
It can not be true.
The compound aspect nominal predicate (CNP)
I began to feel irritated.
The compound modal aspect predicate (CMAP)
I had to begin living all over again.
PART I. I AM A MANAGER
1. I AM THINKING OF STARTING MY OWN BUSINESS
Exercise 1. Expend on the statements:
1. Ambition is so powerful a passion…that however high we reach we are never satisfied (Machiavelli)
2. Actions speak louder than words (Proverb)
3. The employer generally gets the employees he deserves (anonymous).
Exercise 2. Read the following international words and guess their meaning.
franchising product
method system
business market
boom capital
operations type
potential petroleum
basis fast food
drinks promotion
management collapse
risk
Exercise 3. Find in the text the derivations of the root «franchise» and made up sentences with them. Consult the dictionary if it is necessary.
Exercise 4. Read the title of the text and predict the contents of the text.
Exercise 5. Look through the text and divide it into logical parts. Think of the title for each part.
Exercise 6. Read the text to find out:
1. What is franchising?
2. In what countries is it widespread?
3. What share of retail sails in Australia comes from franchising?
4. How does a franchise work?
5. What does a franchisee capital usually go for?
6. What are the main types of franchises?
7. What are advantages and disadvantages of a franchise?