Predicative Meaning
/ˈpɹɛ.dɪ.kə.tɪv/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjModifying a noun from within a predicate.
nounAn element of the predicate of a sentence which complements the subject or object by means of the verb. Predicatives may be nominal or adjectival.
Sentence Examples
In the sentence 'She is happy', 'happy' is a predicative adjective.
The student struggled to understand the use of predicative nouns.
The grammar lesson explained the use of predicative adjectives.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
None
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
In English grammar, an adjective that follows a linking verb is called a ____ adjective.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In the sentence 'the sky is blue,' the adjective 'blue' is used in a ____ position.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English predicate Proto-Indo-European *-wós Proto-Indo-European *-iHwósder. Latin -īvus Old French -ifbor. Middle English -yf English -ive English predicative From predicate + -ive.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"A predicative in Russian is an uninflected word that regularly constitutes a complete utterance when standing alone, i.e., when preceded and followed by silence."
— 1957, Morton Benson, “The Problem of Predicatives in Russian”, in The Slavic and East European Journal, volume 1, number 4, →DOI, →ISSN, →JSTOR, page 285:
"Traditional grammars usually differentiate between neuter short adjectives and predicatives based on whether there is an overt nominative subject; hence курение вредно ‘smoking (noun) is harmful’ is viewed as a clause with nominative subject, zero copula and neuter short form adjective that agrees with the subject in gender, whereas курить вредно (same meaning, literally ‘to smoke is harmful’) is often viewed as an impersonal clause with predicative."
— 2013, Sergey Say, “On the Nature of Dative Arguments in Russian Constructions with “Predicatives””, in I. Kor Chahine, editor, Current Studies in Slavic Linguistics (Studies in Language Companion Series), page 226:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
In English grammar, an adjective that follows a linking verb is called a ____ adjective.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In the sentence 'the sky is blue,' the adjective 'blue' is used in a ____ position.