Predominant function

In harmony, a chord is said to have a predominant function if it feels like it wants to go to a chord with dominant function.¹

In diatonic music the following chords have a predominant function are:

• $IIm$¹²
  • $IIm^6$ is the most common predominant function harmony in classical music²
• $IV$¹²
• $bII^6$²
• $vii°^7/V$²
• $V/V$, particularly $V^6_5/V$ and $V^6/V$ ²
• The augmented sixth chords

While some may say $VIm$ has predominant function, it might more easily be thought of as a tonic substitute.²