predicativelike

Predicativelike is a term used in linguistics to describe words—most commonly adjectives or adjective-like forms—that participate in predicative function, forming predicative complements with linking verbs or predicative constructions in at least some languages. The label emphasizes a resemblance to canonical predicatives while allowing cross-linguistic variation.

In languages with predicative adjectives, the predicate can be formed by linking verbs like be, seem, appear, become, or by copular constructions that link the subject to a complement. Examples: The soup tastes salty; The door is open; She remained calm. Some adjectives are inherently predicative (state adjectives), while others may be strongly predicative only in certain contexts or languages.

Differences from attributive adjectives are a key point of discussion. Attributive adjectives modify a noun directly and typically occur before the noun in English (a red apple), but predicative adjectives require a copular link and a predicate position. However, many adjectives can be used in both positions, making the classification language-specific. The predicativelike label is particularly useful in cross-linguistic typology when certain adjectives may appear predicative in some languages but as attributive adjectives in others.

Morphology and syntax associated with predicativelike elements vary by language. Some languages mark predicative functions with agreement on the copula or with verbal morphology, while others rely on word order or syntactic alternations. Diachronic change can also alter predicative use, with adjectives shifting toward or away from predicative roles over time.