Meaning

(grammar, of an adjectival or nominal phrase) Modifying a noun from within a predicate..

Definitions by Sense

1. (grammar, of an adjectival or nominal phrase) Modifying a noun from within a predicate.
2. (grammar) An element of the predicate of a sentence which complements the subject or object by means of the verb. Predicatives may be nominal or adjectival.
3. (grammar) In some languages, a special part of speech used as a predicate and denoting a state of being.

Example Sentences

in predicative position

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.

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.

Word Forms

• prædicative
• predicatives

Synonyms for predicative

Antonyms for predicative

Related Words

When Should You Use Predicative?

Use predicative when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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Frequently Asked Questions