Predikaattineutrali

Predikaattineutrali is a linguistic term describing a predicative expression that remains in a neutral, uninflected form in predicative clauses. It refers to predicative elements (often a noun or adjective) that do not carry overt marking for gender, number, or case beyond their base form. The concept is used to describe how some languages treat predication with minimal or suppressed agreement on the predicative complement.

In contrast to fully inflected predicatives, where the predicative form shows gender or number agreement with the subject (or case marking in certain languages), predikaattineutraali describes the alternative where such agreement is absent or reduced. The neutral predicative form is frequently associated with the dictionary or lemma form of the word, allowing a uniform predication across different subjects.

Usage and distribution: The term appears mainly in Finnish linguistic literature and in typological discussions of predication. Its exact definition and scope can vary by author; some scholars restrict it to adjectives used predicatively, others include nominal predicates that can appear in a neutral form.

Morphology and function: The neutral form often entails less morphological marking in the predicative slot, which can simplify copular constructions and facilitate cross-subject comparisons in analysis.

Example (illustrative): In a language described as having predikaattineutraali predication, sentences like a subject plus a copula plus a predicative element use the predicative in its base form without gender or number modification. In other systems, the predicative might inflect to agree with the subject.

See also: predication, copula, predicative, grammatical agreement.