Predicate vs Predicative: Meaning And Differences

Do you know the difference between predicate and predicative? These two words are often used interchangeably, but they actually have distinct meanings in grammar. In this article, we will explore the differences between predicate and predicative, and when to use each one.

We should define these terms. Predicate is a grammatical term that refers to the part of a sentence that expresses what the subject is doing or what is happening to the subject. It is typically composed of a verb and any accompanying objects or modifiers. Predicative, on the other hand, is an adjective or noun that follows a linking verb and describes the subject.

So, which of these two words is the proper one to use? The answer is that it depends on the context of the sentence. If you are referring to the part of the sentence that contains the verb and any accompanying objects or modifiers, then you would use predicate. If you are referring to an adjective or noun that follows a linking verb and describes the subject, then you would use predicative.

Now that we have defined these terms and clarified their proper usage, let’s dive deeper into the nuances of each one. In the following sections, we will explore the differences between predicate and predicative in more detail, and provide examples of how to use them correctly in sentences.

Define Predicate

A predicate is a grammatical term used to describe the part of a sentence that expresses what the subject is doing or what is being done to the subject. In simpler terms, the predicate is the part of the sentence that tells us what the subject is or does. It is an essential component of a sentence that provides additional information about the subject and helps to create a complete thought.

For example, in the sentence “She is singing,” the subject is “she,” and the predicate is “is singing.” The predicate tells us what the subject is doing.

Predicates can be simple or complex, depending on the sentence structure. A simple predicate consists of only one verb that describes the action or state of being of the subject. A complex predicate, on the other hand, consists of a main verb and one or more auxiliary verbs.

Define Predicative

Predicative is an adjective used to describe a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and describes the subject of the sentence. In other words, it is a complement that provides additional information about the subject and helps to complete the meaning of the sentence.

For example, in the sentence “He is happy,” the linking verb is “is,” and the predicative is “happy.” The predicative describes the subject “he” and completes the meaning of the sentence.

Predicatives can be adjectives, nouns, or pronouns. They are always connected to the subject by a linking verb and cannot stand alone as a sentence. In some cases, the linking verb can be omitted, and the predicative can function as a subject complement.

It is important to note that while the terms predicate and predicative are related, they are not interchangeable. The predicate refers to the entire part of the sentence that contains the verb and provides information about the subject, while the predicative is a specific type of complement that follows a linking verb.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the right words in a sentence is crucial for effective communication. Two words that are often confused are predicate and predicative. Understanding the difference between these two words can help you use them correctly in a sentence.

How To Use Predicate In A Sentence

The predicate is the part of a sentence that contains the verb and describes the action or state of being of the subject. It can be a single word or a group of words. Here are some examples:

• The cat is sleeping.
• She will be a great doctor.
• They have been friends for years.

In each of these examples, the predicate is underlined. It describes the action or state of being of the subject (cat, she, they).

How To Use Predicative In A Sentence

Predicative is an adjective that describes the subject of a sentence. It is often used after a linking verb such as “be,” “seem,” or “appear.” Here are some examples:

• The flowers are beautiful.
• He seems tired.
• The cake smells delicious.

In each of these examples, the predicative is underlined. It describes the subject (flowers, he, cake) and is connected to the subject by a linking verb.

Remember, the predicate describes the action or state of being of the subject, while the predicative describes the subject itself. By understanding the difference between these two words, you can use them correctly in your writing and speaking.

More Examples Of Predicate & Predicative Used In Sentences

In this section, we will provide more examples of how to use predicate and predicative in a sentence.

Examples Of Using Predicate In A Sentence

• The cat is sleeping on the couch.
• John became a doctor after years of studying.
• The flowers smell lovely in the garden.
• She will be graduating from college next month.
• The cake was delicious.
• He seems happy with his new job.
• The storm is approaching quickly.
• They have been married for 20 years.
• The baby cried for hours last night.
• My sister is a talented musician.

Examples Of Using Predicative In A Sentence

• The soup tastes salty.
• The flowers look beautiful in the sunlight.
• Her singing sounded like an angel.
• The coffee smells wonderful in the morning.
• The water feels cold on my skin.
• The cake turned out perfectly.
• The children seemed excited to go to the park.
• His paintings are considered masterpieces.
• The car looks brand new after the wash.
• The weather is getting colder as winter approaches.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using predicate and predicative, many people tend to use these terms interchangeably. However, it is important to note that these terms have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably. Here are some common mistakes people make when using predicate and predicative interchangeably:

Using Predicative As A Noun

One of the most common mistakes people make is using predicative as a noun. Predicative is actually an adjective that describes the relationship between a subject and a predicate. Using predicative as a noun can lead to confusion and is grammatically incorrect. For example, saying “The predicative of the sentence is…” is incorrect. Instead, you should say “The predicate of the sentence is…”

Using Predicate As An Adjective

Another mistake people make is using predicate as an adjective. Predicate is actually a noun that refers to the part of a sentence that expresses what is said about the subject. Using predicate as an adjective can also lead to confusion and is grammatically incorrect. For example, saying “The predicate phrase is…” is incorrect. Instead, you should say “The predicate of the sentence is…”

Mixing Up Predicate And Subject Complements

People also tend to mix up predicate and subject complements. A predicate complement is a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and renames or describes the subject. A subject complement, on the other hand, is a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and describes or identifies the subject. Mixing up these terms can lead to confusion and incorrect usage. For example, saying “The predicate complement of the sentence is…” is incorrect. Instead, you should say “The subject complement of the sentence is…”

Using Predicative In Place Of Predicate

Finally, some people use predicative in place of predicate, thinking that they are interchangeable. This is incorrect, as predicative only describes the relationship between a subject and a predicate, while predicate refers to the part of a sentence that expresses what is said about the subject. To avoid this mistake, make sure you understand the difference between these terms and use them correctly in your writing.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

To avoid making these common mistakes, here are some tips:

• Make sure you understand the difference between predicate and predicative
• Double-check your usage of these terms in your writing
• If you are unsure, consult a grammar guide or language expert

By following these tips and understanding the distinctions between predicate and predicative, you can avoid making these common mistakes and improve your writing skills.

Context Matters

When it comes to using the terms “predicate” and “predicative,” it’s important to consider the context in which they are being used. Depending on the situation, one term may be more appropriate than the other.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a closer look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between predicate and predicative might change:

Context 1: Grammar

In grammar, the term “predicate” is often used to refer to the part of a sentence that contains the verb and any objects or modifiers that complete the meaning of the sentence. For example, in the sentence “She is running a marathon,” the predicate is “is running a marathon.” On the other hand, “predicative” is a term used to describe a word or phrase that follows a copular verb (such as “be” or “seem”) and describes the subject of the sentence. For example, in the sentence “The flowers smell sweet,” “smell sweet” is the predicative.

However, in some cases, “predicative” can also be used as a synonym for “predicate.” This usage is more common in British English than in American English.

Context 2: Logic

In logic, “predicate” is used to describe a statement that makes a claim about a subject. For example, “All dogs are mammals” is a predicate statement. In this context, “predicative” is not used.

Context 3: Linguistics

In linguistics, “predicate” is used to describe the part of a sentence that contains the verb and any objects or modifiers that complete the meaning of the sentence. “Predicative,” on the other hand, is used to describe a word or phrase that follows a copular verb and describes the subject of the sentence. However, in some linguistic theories, the terms “predicate” and “predicative” are used interchangeably.

Overall, the choice between “predicate” and “predicative” depends on the context in which they are being used. It’s important to understand the nuances of each term and use them appropriately to ensure clear and effective communication.

Exceptions To The Rules

Identifying Exceptions

While the rules for using predicate and predicative are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions that should be noted. These exceptions occur when certain verbs are used in specific ways or when certain sentence structures are employed. By identifying these exceptions, you can gain a better understanding of when predicate and predicative might not apply.

Explaining And Providing Examples

One exception to the rules for using predicate and predicative occurs when the verb “to be” is used in a sentence with a noun or adjective that functions as an object rather than a subject complement. In this case, the noun or adjective is not considered to be a predicate or predicative. For example:

– She considers him a friend. (In this sentence, “a friend” is the direct object of the verb “considers” and is not a predicate or predicative.)
– The cake smells delicious. (In this sentence, “delicious” is an adjective modifying the noun “cake” and is not a predicate or predicative.)

Another exception occurs when certain verbs are used intransitively, meaning they do not take an object. In these cases, the verb is followed by an adverb or prepositional phrase that provides additional information about the subject. For example:

– The flowers bloomed beautifully. (In this sentence, “beautifully” is an adverb modifying the verb “bloomed” and is not a predicative.)
– He appeared tired. (In this sentence, “tired” is an adjective modifying the subject “he” and is not a predicate or predicative.)

Finally, there are some sentence structures that can create exceptions to the rules for using predicate and predicative. For example, when using a passive voice construction, the predicate follows the subject and the verb “to be” is used as an auxiliary verb. In this case, the predicate does not function as a subject complement. For example:

– The car was hit by a truck. (In this sentence, “hit” is the past participle of the verb “to hit” and is used as an adjective modifying the subject “car.” It is not a predicate or predicative.)

Summary

While the rules for using predicate and predicative are generally straightforward, there are exceptions that must be noted. By identifying these exceptions and understanding when they apply, you can gain a better understanding of how to use predicate and predicative correctly in your writing.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have discussed the differences between predicate and predicative, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test with some practice exercises. These exercises will help improve your understanding and use of predicate and predicative in sentences.

Exercise 1: Identifying The Predicate

In each of the following sentences, identify the predicate and write it in the space provided.

Example:	The cat is sleeping.	is sleeping
1.	Sheila and her brother are playing video games.
2.	The flowers in the vase are wilting.
3.	The professor handed back the graded papers.

Answers:

• 1. are playing video games
• 2. are wilting
• 3. handed back the graded papers

Exercise 2: Identifying The Predicative

In each of the following sentences, identify the predicative and write it in the space provided.

Example:	The cat is sleeping.	sleeping
1.	He looked tired after the long day at work.
2.	The cake tasted delicious with the vanilla icing.
3.	The new employee seemed nervous during the interview.

Answers:

• 1. tired
• 2. delicious with the vanilla icing
• 3. nervous during the interview

By completing these exercises, you should now have a better understanding of how to identify and use predicate and predicative in sentences. Keep practicing and you’ll be a pro in no time!

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the difference between predicate and predicative is essential for anyone looking to improve their grammar and language use. Here are some key takeaways from this article:

Predicate

• The predicate is the part of a sentence that tells us what the subject is doing or what is happening to the subject.
• It always includes a verb and may include other elements such as objects, complements, and modifiers.
• Example: She is reading a book.

Predicative

• The predicative is a word or phrase that describes or renames the subject of a sentence.
• It follows a linking verb and provides additional information about the subject.
• Example: She is intelligent.

By understanding the difference between these two concepts, you can improve your writing and speaking by using them correctly. Remember to always pay attention to the verbs in your sentences and think about whether you are describing the subject or providing additional information about it.

Finally, continue to learn about grammar and language use by reading books, taking courses, and practicing your skills. With dedication and effort, you can become a master of the English language.