Predicative

Predicative is a term in grammar that refers to elements in the predicate of a sentence that describe or identify the subject. Predicative elements follow a linking or copular verb, such as be, seem, become, or appear, and function as the subject’s complement.

In English, predicative use contrasts with attributive use. An adjective in the predicative position describes the subject after a linking verb (The sky is blue; The patient seems tired). In contrast, an attributive adjective directly modifies a noun within the noun phrase (a blue sky; a tired patient). Some adjectives can appear in both positions, while others are more restricted.

Predicative complements take several forms. They can be predicative adjectives (blue, tired), predicative noun phrases or noun clauses (The winner is Maria; The problem is that traffic is heavy), or entire predication clauses (It seems that we are late). The function is to complete the meaning of the subject via the linking verb, often conveying property, identification, or classification.

Across languages, predicative constructions may show agreement or case marking, and some languages restrict which adjectives can occur predicatively. In English, predicative adjectives typically do not change for number or gender, and the predicative position is a standard part of sentence structure for describing subjects. Predication, including predicative complements, is a core concept in analyzing the syntax and semantics of sentences.