What is the simple predicate in the following sentence? School is challenging at times.

Question

This was a question on my English test today. I answered that the simple predicate in this sentence is "is." My answer was marked incorrect, and the answer sheet shows the simple predicate as "is challenging." I still believe the answer is "is," since the word "challenging" is used as an adjective and not a verb in this sentence. What is the correct answer?

Answer 1

Denise,

Remember that the predicate is essentially the verb. In the example you gave, "is challenging" is the predicate (verb) of the sentence. The word 'challenging' is not used as an adjective. It is a verb that is "linked" to the word 'is' which is a linking verb. Hope this helps.