Note: Do not confuse with Predicate. Predicate is a clause-level function, not a constituent type. It is not a single node in CGEL tree structure, but a descriptive cover term. The predicate is everything in the clause except the subject.
Clause = Subject + Predicate
Predicator is a function, not a category. It is assigned to the head verb of a clause.
Definition:
The role, “slot”, filled by verb within a clause. “Verb” is a “word category” (a.k.a. part of speech). “Predicator” is a grammatical role.
The predicator is the verbal head that determines the clause’s valency
Licenses complements
Determines transitivity
Typical realization: A lexical verb (not auxiliaries)
She [gave] him a book.
gave = predicator
it licenses:
Indirect object (him)
Direct object (a book)
Auxiliary contrast (contrast to the lexical have)
She has left.
left = predicator
has = auxiliary (marker of perfect aspect)
Every finite clause has exactly one predicator.
The predicator is inside the predicate, but the two are not equivalent.
A specific type of complement or adjunct that tells us something about the properties, state, or identity of a NP - outside that NP.
The predicated NP is called the predicand
Predicative is a clasual function, assigned to a non-verbal phrase: AdjP, NP or PP.
It is not a phrase type (can be NP, AdjP, PP).
It is a constituent that ascribes a property, state, or role to an NP within the clause.
It may be predicate the subject or the object.
A predicative attributes a property, state, role, or identity to an NP, but not a part of the NP.
A predicative may be:
Category |
Role |
Example |
|---|---|---|
Adjective Phrase |
Primary |
The argument is flawed. |
Noun Phrase |
Primary |
The argument is a disaster. |
Prepositional Phrase |
Primary |
The argument is out of control. |
A primary predicative is a predicative that:
Is licensed by a copular verb, predicate the subject
Is licensed by a complex-transitive verb, predicates the object
Forms the core predicate of the clause
Copular (for subject):
The sky is blue
blue → complement predicative (subject predicative)
is → copular verb
is blue → predicate
Complex-transitive (for object):
Attributive/judgment verbs: consider, find, deem, judge, count
Resultative/naming verbs: make, elect, name, appoint, call, label
They found the argument persuasive.
Licensed, but not required by the verb.
The adjunct predicative is optional and adds extra predication rather than being required by the verb.
It typically expresses a state of the subject or object during the event (simultaneous), rather than forming part of the core argument structure. Verbs license a complex complement structure:
Adjunct predicative:
Adjunct:
She placed the book open.
They painted the door red.
open attributes a state to the book
Can we rephrase?
She placed the book while it was open (deceptive)
They painted the door so it became red (resultative)
Not an adjunct:
She placed the book on the table.
on the table expresses a locative relation
No property is attributed to the book
Can we rephrase?
She placed the book… (we can’t)
Complement predicative:
Predicated of the subject.
She is intelligent.
intelligent = predicative
predicated of she
is is a copular verb
Other realizations:
She became a lawyer.
The sky turned red.
They elected her president.
president completes the meaning of the verb + object
predicated of her
Adjunct predicative:
Predicated of a non-subject NP (usually the object).
He painted the wall green (resultative).
green = adjunct predicative
predicated of the wall
She carefully placed the book on the table.
Predicate: carefully placed the book on the table
Complements: the book → object complement
placed is a transitive lexical verb taking an object (the book) and adjuncts (carefully, on the table).
No predicative complement is licensed.
Predicatives describe or characterize the subject or object. The complement “on the table” does not provide description/characteristic or “book”
She was careful while placing the book on the table.
Predicate: was careful while placing the book on the table
Complements: careful → **predicative complement (primary), predicated of the subject (she).
was is a copular verb.
careful is a primary predicative predicated of the subject (she).
She carefully placed the book open on the table.
Predicate: carefully placed the book open on the table
placed is used as a complex-transitive verb.
open is a secondary predicative predicated of the object (the book).
Complements:
- the book → object complement
- open → predicative complement (secondary), predicated of the object the book.
Why on the table is not a secondary predicative?
She carefully placed the book on the table.)
on the table is not a secondary predicative because it does not predicate a property of an NP (it expresses location, not attribution).
They finished the report
You could say:
The finished the report early (not predicative, )
Object is NP complement of a verb that is not predicative.
If it describes an NP → predicative
If it fills an argument slot → object
Type |
Meaning / focus |
Example |
|---|---|---|
Subject-oriented |
property/state of subject |
She is happy |
Object-oriented |
property/state of object |
They named him champion |
Stative vs dynamic |
static property vs change state |
He became tired vs They made him angry |