Predicate vs. Predicative — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 6, 2024
Predicate refers to the part of a sentence that expresses what is said about the subject, often including a verb and other elements; predicative, describes a word or phrase that typically follows a linking verb and qualifies the subject.
Difference Between Predicate and Predicative
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The predicate in grammar forms the part of a sentence or clause that tells what the subject does or is linked to. It includes a verb and sometimes other components like objects or complements. In contrast, predicative is an adjective or noun that follows a linking verb and attributes to the subject, helping to provide more information about it.
Predicates are essential for forming complete sentences in English. They can be simple or complex depending on the verb and what follows it. Meanwhile, predicatives are specific types of expressions that always modify or describe the subject directly and can include adjectives, noun phrases, or pronouns.In the structure of sentences, predicates provide the action or state of being, reflecting what the subject is doing or experiencing.
Predicatives, however, don't indicate action but rather describe the state or quality of the subject after a linking verb such as 'is', 'appear', or 'become'.Examples of predicates include the phrases 'runs quickly' in the sentence "She runs quickly," where 'runs quickly' tells more about the subject's action. Conversely, in "The sky is blue," 'blue' is a predicative that describes the subject 'the sky'.
Predicates are integral to every clause, implying that without them, a sentence cannot be complete or meaningful. Predicatives, while important for detailed descriptions, are not mandatory in every sentence but are used according to what needs to be conveyed about the subject.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Part of sentence expressing action or state of the subject
Adjective or noun describing the subject following a linking verb
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Function
Completes the sentence by stating action or condition
Provides attribute or description of the subject
Dependency
Mandatory for sentence construction
Optional, used for additional description
Examples
"She dances gracefully." (dances gracefully)
"The flowers smell fresh." (fresh)
Associated Verbs
Main and auxiliary verbs
Linking verbs like 'is', 'seem', 'become'
Compare with Definitions
Predicate
The complete predicate includes all words that state something about the subject.
The car was parked outside.
Predicative
Predicative expressions complete linking verbs.
Your suggestion seems reasonable.
Predicate
A predicate is the part of a sentence containing a verb and stating something about the subject.
In They sleep late, 'sleep late' is the predicate.
Predicative
Predicative nominatives rename or identify the subject.
He became a teacher, where 'a teacher' is predicative.
Predicate
Compound predicates contain two or more verbs or verb phrases.
She runs fast and sings well.
Predicative
Predicatives can provide essential details about the subject.
The decision remains unclear.
Predicate
Predicates tell what the subject does or is like.
The meeting is at noon.
Predicative
The use of a predicative emphasizes the quality or state of the subject.
The walls are painted white.
Predicate
Predicates can include verbs and direct objects.
He plays the guitar has 'plays the guitar' as its predicate.
Predicative
A predicative adjective follows a linking verb and describes the subject.
In The sky looks blue, 'blue' is predicative.
Predicate
To base or establish (a statement or action, for example)
I predicated my argument on the facts.
Predicative
To base or establish (a statement or action, for example)
I predicated my argument on the facts.
Predicate
To state or affirm as an attribute or quality of something
The sermon predicated the perfectibility of humankind.
Predicative
To state or affirm as an attribute or quality of something
The sermon predicated the perfectibility of humankind.
Predicate
To carry the connotation of; imply.
Predicative
To carry the connotation of; imply.
Predicate
(Logic) To make (a term or expression) the predicate of a proposition.
Predicative
(Logic) To make (a term or expression) the predicate of a proposition.
Predicate
To proclaim or assert; declare.
Predicative
To proclaim or assert; declare.
Predicate
To make a statement or assertion.
Predicative
To make a statement or assertion.
Predicate
(Grammar) One of the two main constituents of a sentence or clause, modifying the subject and including the verb, objects, or phrases governed by the verb, as opened the door in Jane opened the door or is very sleepy in The child is very sleepy.
Predicative
(Grammar) One of the two main constituents of a sentence or clause, modifying the subject and including the verb, objects, or phrases governed by the verb, as opened the door in Jane opened the door or is very sleepy in The child is very sleepy.
Predicate
(Logic) That part of a proposition that is affirmed or denied about the subject. For example, in the proposition We are mortal, mortal is the predicate.
Predicative
(Logic) That part of a proposition that is affirmed or denied about the subject. For example, in the proposition We are mortal, mortal is the predicate.
Predicate
(Grammar) Of or belonging to the predicate of a sentence or clause.
Predicative
(Grammar) Of or belonging to the predicate of a sentence or clause.
Predicate
Stated or asserted; predicated.
Predicative
Stated or asserted; predicated.
Predicate
(grammar) The part of the sentence (or clause) which states a property that a subject has or is characterized by.
Predicative
Modifying a noun while in a predicate phrase, which predicate phrase is other than the noun phrase and occurs after a verb, as a predicate; contrasted with attributive.
In the sentence, ‘This house is big’, ‘big’ is predicative, whereas in ‘This is a big house’, it is attributive.
Compound adjectives are typically hyphenated in attributive position (for example, 'a high-quality scan is a must'), whereas in predicative position, many house styles specify open styling (for example, 'this scan is high quality.'
Predicate
(logic) A term of a statement, where the statement may be true or false depending on whether the thing referred to by the values of the statement's variables has the property signified by that (predicative) term.
A propositional variable may be treated as a nullary predicate.
A predicate is either valid, satisfiable, or unsatisfiable.
Predicative
(grammar) An element of the predicate of a sentence which complements the subject or object by means of the verb. Predicatives may be nominal or adjectival.
Predicate
(computing) An operator or function that returns either true or false.
Predicative
(grammar) In some languages, a special part of speech used as a predicate and denoting a state of being.
Predicate
(grammar) Of or related to the predicate of a sentence or clause.
Predicative
Expressing affirmation or predication; affirming; predicating, as, a predicative term.
Predicate
Predicated, stated.
Predicative
Of adjectives; relating to or occurring within the predicate of a sentence;
`red' is a predicative adjective in `the apple is red'
Predicate
(law) Relating to or being any of a series of criminal acts upon which prosecution for racketeering may be predicated.
Predicate
(transitive) To announce, assert, or proclaim publicly.
Predicate
(transitive) To assume or suppose; to infer.
Predicate
To base (on); to assert on the grounds of.
Predicate
To make a term (or expression) the predicate of a statement.
Predicate
To assert or state as an attribute or quality of something.
Predicate
To assert to belong to something; to affirm (one thing of another); as, to predicate whiteness of snow.
Predicate
To found; to base.
Predicate
To affirm something of another thing; to make an affirmation.
Predicate
That which is affirmed or denied of the subject. In these propositions, "Paper is white," "Ink is not white," whiteness is the predicate affirmed of paper and denied of ink.
Predicate
The word or words in a proposition which express what is affirmed of the subject.
Predicate
Predicated.
Predicate
(logic) what is predicated of the subject of a proposition; the second term in a proposition is predicated of the first term by means of the copula;
`Socrates is a man' predicates manhood of Socrates
Predicate
One of the two main constituents of a sentence; the predicate contains the verb and its complements
Predicate
Make the (grammatical) predicate in a proposition;
The predicate `dog' is predicated of the subject `Fido' in the sentence `Fido is a dog'
Predicate
Affirm or declare as an attribute or quality of;
The speech predicated the fitness of the candidate to be President
Predicate
Involve as a necessary condition of consequence; as in logic;
Solving the problem is predicated on understanding it well
Common Curiosities
How do I identify a predicative in a sentence?
Look for a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and describes the subject.
Can a sentence exist without a predicate?
No, a sentence must have a predicate to be considered complete.
How does a predicative differ from a predicate?
A predicative describes the subject by following a linking verb, while a predicate forms part of the main clause structure.
What is the role of a predicate in a sentence?
The predicate explains the action or state of being of the subject.
Are all predicatives adjectives?
No, predicatives can be adjectives, nouns, or pronouns that describe the subject.
Can predicatives be part of the predicate?
Yes, predicatives can be part of the predicate when they follow linking verbs within the predicate.
What is a predicative nominative?
A predicative nominative is a noun or noun phrase that renames the subject after a linking verb.
Is it possible to have multiple predicatives in a sentence?
Yes, multiple predicatives can appear in a sentence, typically separated by conjunctions or commas.
What makes a compound predicate?
A compound predicate contains two or more verbs or verb phrases regarding the same subject.
What is an example of a predicate verb?
In "She dances," 'dances' is the predicate verb.
Can a predicative change the tense of a sentence?
No, the tense is generally governed by the verb in the predicate, not the predicative.
Do all sentences with linking verbs contain predicatives?
Not necessarily, but most do use a predicative to complete the meaning after a linking verb.
What types of verbs are associated with predicatives?
Linking verbs such as 'be', 'seem', 'become' are typically associated with predicatives.
How can a predicate impact the meaning of a sentence?
The predicate determines what is being said about the subject, thus guiding the overall meaning of the sentence.
How does the placement of a predicative within a sentence affect its function?
The placement after a linking verb ensures that the predicative modifies or describes the subject directly.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
