The English language is full of grammatical terms that help us understand how sentences are structured. One such term is predicative. If you’ve ever wondered what it means and how it functions in a sentence this topic will provide a clear and comprehensive explanation.
In simple terms predicative refers to a word or phrase that comes after a verb and provides additional information about the subject or object. It is commonly found in sentences that describe states conditions or qualities.
This topic will explore the definition of predicative its role in grammar types of predicatives examples and how it differs from attributive adjectives.
Definition of Predicative
The term predicative comes from the word predicate which is the part of a sentence that says something about the subject. A predicative word or phrase is one that follows a verb (especially linking verbs like “be” “seem” “become” “feel” etc.) and describes either the subject or the object.
For example:
- The sky is blue. (The word blue is predicative because it describes the sky after the verb is.)
- She became a doctor. (The phrase a doctor is predicative because it describes she after the verb became.)
Types of Predicatives
There are two main types of predicatives:
- Subject Predicative (Predicate Adjective or Predicate Nominative)
- Object Predicative
Let’s explore both in detail.
1. Subject Predicative
A subject predicative gives more information about the subject of the sentence. It follows a linking verb such as “be” “seem” “become” “appear” “look” “sound” “feel” “stay” etc.
Examples:
- The cake smells delicious. (Delicious describes the subject cake.)
- He is a teacher. (A teacher describes the subject he.)
- The room became quiet. (Quiet describes the room.)
In these examples the predicative expressions tell us something about the subject rather than modifying the noun directly.
2. Object Predicative
An object predicative gives more information about the object of a sentence. It usually follows a direct object and describes or renames it.
Examples:
- They painted the walls white. (White describes the object the walls.)
- She called him a genius. (A genius describes the object him.)
- The team elected John captain. (Captain describes John.)
In these cases the predicative phrase modifies the object rather than the subject.
Predicative vs. Attributive Adjectives
A common question is how predicative adjectives differ from attributive adjectives.
- Predicative adjectives come after the verb and describe the subject.
- Attributive adjectives come before the noun they modify.
Examples:
- Attributive: The happy child played outside.
- Predicative: The child is happy.
Both sentences describe the child’s happiness but in different ways. The first uses an adjective before the noun while the second links the adjective to the subject through a verb.
Common Linking Verbs That Take Predicatives
Predicatives often appear after linking verbs which do not show action but instead connect the subject to additional information.
Some common linking verbs include:
- Be: am is are was were
- Seem: seems seemed
- Become: becomes became
- Feel: feels felt
- Look: looks looked
- Sound: sounds sounded
- Stay: stays stayed
Examples:
- She looks tired. (Tired is predicative describing she.)
- The weather became cold. (Cold is predicative describing the weather.)
Why Is Predicative Important in Grammar?
Understanding predicatives helps in several ways:
- Improves sentence clarity – Knowing how predicative structures work makes sentences more natural and effective.
- Enhances writing style – Writers can use predicatives to create smoother less repetitive sentences.
- Avoids common mistakes – Some adjectives can only be used in a predicative position not an attributive one.
For example:
- Correct: The child is asleep.
- Incorrect: The asleep child is playing.
Some adjectives like asleep afraid aware are only used predicatively and not before a noun.
Predicative in Different Sentence Structures
Predicatives are found in different types of sentence constructions.
1. Simple Sentences
- She is happy. (Happy describes she.)
- The food tastes good. (Good describes the food.)
2. Compound Sentences
- The room was dark and the air felt cold.
- He became a doctor but his brother became a lawyer.
3. Complex Sentences
- Although the weather seemed nice it was actually very cold.
- The test was difficult which made the students nervous.
Predicative in Literature and Everyday Language
Predicatives are commonly used in literature speeches and everyday conversation.
Examples in Literature
- William Shakespeare: “All the world’s a stage.” (The phrase a stage is predicative describing the world.)
- Jane Austen: “The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” (The adjectives pure and simple are predicative.)
Examples in Everyday Speech
- “You seem upset today.” (Upset is predicative describing you.)
- “The food smells amazing!” (Amazing is predicative describing the food.)
How to Identify and Use Predicatives Correctly
To determine if a word is predicative follow these steps:
- Find the verb – If the verb is a linking verb there is likely a predicative.
- Look at the words after the verb – If the words describe the subject or object they are predicative.
- Check if the sentence makes sense without them – If removing the word changes the meaning it is a predicative.
Example:
- Sentence: The cake tastes delicious.
- Analysis:
- Verb = tastes (linking verb)
- Word after the verb = delicious
- Describes = cake
- Delicious is predicative.
The term predicative refers to words or phrases that follow a verb and describe either the subject or object of a sentence. It is commonly found after linking verbs and plays a key role in grammar.
Understanding predicatives improves sentence structure writing clarity and communication skills. By recognizing when a word is predicative rather than attributive you can construct better sentences and avoid grammatical mistakes.
