Prädikativformen

Prädikativformen are grammatical constructions that express a state or characteristic of a subject. In German grammar, they typically involve a verb that links the subject to a predicative complement. The most common verb used in this function is the copula "sein" (to be). For example, in the sentence "Der Himmel ist blau," "ist" is the copula, and "blau" is the predicative adjective describing the subject "Himmel" (sky). Other verbs like "werden" (to become) and "bleiben" (to remain) can also function as copulas, introducing predicative complements that describe a change of state or a continuing state, respectively. For instance, "Er wird müde" (He is getting tired) and "Sie bleibt ruhig" (She remains calm).

The predicative complement can take various forms. It is most frequently an adjective, as seen in the examples above. However, it can also be a noun or a noun phrase, as in "Sie ist Lehrerin" (She is a teacher) or "Das ist mein Buch" (That is my book). In these cases, the noun or noun phrase describes the subject's identity or belonging. Adverbs can also function as predicative complements, indicating location or manner, such as "Er ist da" (He is there) or "Das geht gut" (That goes well). The key characteristic of a prädikativform is this linking function, where the predicative complement provides essential information about the subject, complementing the meaning of the copular verb.