Predykatywna

Predykatywna is a term used in Polish linguistics to describe the predicative use of adjectives and other adjective-like words in a sentence. In this function, the word expresses a property or state of the subject that forms the predicate of the clause, rather than serving as a straightforward attribute before a noun.

In Polish grammar, predykatywna (predicative) usage is contrasted with attributive (przymiotnikowy) use, where the adjective directly modifies a noun placed before it. Predicative adjectives typically appear after a linking verb such as być (to be) or in elliptical constructions where the verb is omitted in present-tense statements, for example in headlines or telegraphic style. The predicate adjective agrees with the subject in gender and number.

Typical forms and behavior: predykatywne przymiotniki maintain normal agreement with the subject, and they function to describe the subject’s state or quality as the main point of the sentence. They can express temporary or inherent properties and can be used in various tenses when the linking verb is explicit.

Examples:

- Kobieta jest piękna. (The woman is beautiful.)

- Dzieci są grzeczne. (The children are well-behaved.)

- To zadanie jest trudne. (This task is difficult.)

Notes: The term predykatywna is most often applied to adjectives in the predicative position, but it also encompasses other parts of speech that can function as predicates in a sentence. The distinction between predykatywna and atrybutywna usage is a standard topic in descriptive grammar and helps explain how Polish sentences convey states and qualities beyond simple noun-adjective combinations.