Predicatively

Predicatively is an adverb used to describe the predicative use of words—most often adjectives or noun phrases—in a sentence. In this usage, the word functions as part of the predicate, typically following a linking or copular verb, and refers to the property or attribute assigned to the subject.

In standard grammar, predicative use contrasts with attributive use. An attributive adjective appears directly before a noun (the red car), while a predicative adjective follows a linking verb (the car is red). Predicative constructions often employ verbs such as be, seem, become, or feel, which serve to connect the subject with its predicate complement.

Common examples illustrate predicative use: The soup tastes salty. The door remains closed. The committee is unanimous. In each case, the adjective or phrase after the copula describes the subject rather than modifying a noun directly. Some adjectives are closely associated with predicative use, while others can appear in both positions, though with varying naturalness in different contexts or dialects.

Predicative usage also intersects with broader topics in grammar, such as subject complements, complement types, and cross-linguistic variation in how languages express predication. While English relies on copular verbs to license predicative adjectives, other languages may encode predication differently, or enforce different agreement and morphology in predicative constructions. Understanding predicatively helps clarify how predicates relate to subjects in sentences and how meaning is ascribed through grammatical structure.