predicativen

Predicativen, in linguistics often referred to as predicatives, are elements that function as the predicate complement of a sentence. They describe or identify the subject after a copular verb such as be, become, or stay, and thus complete the meaning of the clause.

Predicatives come in several subtypes. The most common are predicative adjectives, which describe the subject, as in The sky is blue. Another type is predicative nominals (Prädikativnomen), where a noun or noun phrase names or identifies the subject, as in He became a teacher or She is the president. Pronouns can also occur in predicative position, as in The winner is I.

In usage, predicatives differ from attributive modifiers. Attributive adjectives attach to a noun within the noun phrase (a blue sky), whereas predicatives follow a copular verb and relate to the entire subject of the sentence. The distinction is important for syntax and morphology in many languages, including German, where predicative adjectives typically appear in their base form and do not take the usual attributive endings after a linking verb.

Cross-linguistically, predicatives play a similar role in English, German, and many other languages, serving to express properties, identifications, or classifications that are asserted about the subject. Some languages have more rigid rules about agreement and article usage in predicative constructions, while others allow more variation, particularly with predicative noun phrases.

See also: predicative complement, copular verb, attributive adjective.