What is included in the complete predicate of a sentence?

The complete predicate of a sentence encompasses not only the main verb but also all the words that modify or provide additional information about that verb, including any objects or adverbs. This means that when analyzing a sentence, the complete predicate gives a fuller picture of what the subject is doing, how it is doing it, and any related actions or descriptions.

For example, in the sentence "The dog barked loudly at the stranger," the complete predicate is "barked loudly at the stranger," as it includes the verb "barked" and all the modifiers and phrases that provide context to the action.

The other options do not capture the entirety of the predicate. The action performed by the subject is merely a part of the predicate; it does not account for additional information or context. The subject and direct object would suggest a simpler view of the sentence structure, ignoring important details that the complete predicate includes. Meanwhile, mentioning independent and dependent clauses misidentifies the portions of a sentence, as these terms pertain more to the structure and arrangement of clauses rather than focusing specifically on the actions and modifications associated with the verb. Thus, the correct understanding of the complete predicate involves recognizing the verb along with its modifiers and complements, as captured in the correct answer.