Prädikativkomplement

Prädikativkomplement is a grammatical term used in German linguistics. It refers to a sentence element that, in conjunction with a copular verb (like sein, werden, or bleiben), forms a predicate and describes the subject. Unlike a direct or indirect object, which receives the action of a transitive verb, the Prädikativkomplement characterizes or identifies the subject.

There are two main types of Prädikativkomplement. The first is the Subjektprädikativ, which directly describes the subject. For example, in the sentence "Er ist müde" (He is tired), "müde" is the Subjektprädikativ, describing the state of "Er." Similarly, in "Sie wird Ärztin" (She becomes a doctor), "Ärztin" identifies the future role of "Sie." The second type is the Objektprädikativ, which describes the direct object. This is less common in German than the Subjektprädikativ. An example could be "Er hält die Katze für schlau" (He considers the cat smart), where "schlau" describes the direct object "die Katze."

The Prädikativkomplement typically appears in the nominative case when it refers to the subject. If it were an Objektprädikativ, it might appear in a case determined by the verb and the direct object. Understanding the Prädikativkomplement is crucial for analyzing sentence structure in German and distinguishing it from other sentence components. It provides essential information about the subject's state, identity, or change.