AdverbialPrädikativ

AdverbialPrädikativ is a linguistic term used in German grammar to describe a specific type of sentence element. It functions similarly to an adverbial, modifying the verb or the entire predicate, but it also carries predicative information about the subject or object. This means it describes a state or quality that is attributed to the subject or object, often as a result of the action of the verb.

Unlike a true predicate, which is typically a verb or a predicate noun/adjective directly linked to the subject, an AdverbialPrädikativ is expressed by an adverbial phrase or clause. However, its semantic role goes beyond mere modification of the action; it reveals something about the entity being acted upon or performing the action.

For instance, in the sentence "Er rannte nach Hause" (He ran home), "nach Hause" functions as an AdverbialPrädikativ. It indicates the direction of the running (adverbial function), but it also implies the state of being at home as the outcome or destination of the action. Another example is "Sie singt vor Freude" (She sings for joy). "Vor Freude" modifies the verb "singt" by explaining the cause, but it also describes the state of the subject ("sie") as being joyful.

The identification of an AdverbialPrädikativ can sometimes be challenging as it overlaps with traditional adverbials and predicatives. The key distinguishing feature is its dual function: modifying the predicate while simultaneously providing information about the subject or object's state or condition related to that predicate. It enriches the meaning of the sentence by adding descriptive depth to the core action.