What does predicative mean?
Predicative is a grammatical term for a word or expression that describes the subject through a linking verb rather than directly modifying a noun. In "The room is warm," "warm" is a predicative adjective: it follows the linking verb "is" and functions as the subject's complement. The contrasting term is attributive, as in "a warm room," where the adjective stands directly before and modifies a noun. Predicative can also describe a noun phrase serving as an object complement, as in "The committee appointed her chair." The distinction is useful when analyzing sentence structure, especially because English allows many adjectives to appear in both positions. It also clarifies apparent differences in meaning: a predicative description may characterize the subject temporarily or subjectively, whereas an attributive adjective more often presents an inherent or defining characteristic.
adjectiveDenoting an adjective or other word that functions as the predicate of a clause, especially one placed after a linking verb rather than directly before a noun.
- Relating to or functioning as a predicate, especially as an adjective used after a linking verb.
- Denoting a noun or noun phrase that functions as the complement of a verb, especially as the subject or object of a copular or linking construction.
"In the sentence "the children are happy," the word "happy" is predicative."
"The old lighthouse is still operational."
"They elected him captain, a predicative noun phrase functioning as the object complement."
A predicative adjective steps outside the noun it describes: rather than labelling "the happy children," it links the subject to a state through a verb.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does predicative come from?
Predicative ultimately derives from Latin praedicare, meaning "to proclaim" or "declare," through Latin forms associated with a predicate or declaration. The English word developed from related uses of predicate and was established in grammatical usage by the nineteenth century. It belongs to the same Latin family as predication and predict.
Related word forms
How predicative is actually used
The term is chiefly grammatical and formal. It is most often applied to adjectives in constructions such as "She seems tired" and contrasted with attributive uses such as "a tired worker." Certain nouns can also function predicatively, as in "They made him captain."
Easily confused with predicative
A predicative word is an adjective or other expression serving a clause's predicate, whereas a predicate is the whole word or phrase that describes the subject.
An attributive adjective directly modifies a noun, while a predicative adjective describes the subject through a linking verb.