Predicate (grammar)

The predicate ( in German grammar and sentence statement ) is a core component in a set, the set of elements ( such as the subject ) depend. Typically, a predicate is formed by a verb (together with any additional material ), but this is not mandatory in all languages ​​. The difference between the terms " verb" and " predicate " So is that " verb" refers to a part of speech, and " predicate " a grammatical function that verbs can have in the set.

The term " predicate " is depending on the tradition in two different meanings before:

1) In the German grammar is called a predicate a unit consisting of the finite verb ( = verb with a personal ending ) and, if available, other verbs in the infinitive is " predicative " elements ( and possibly further, below). This, therefore, results in a classification of the sentence such as the following subordinate clause form:

2) In other traditions, as well as partly in English grammar and formal linguistics, there is still a concept, in which " predicate " the verb together with all supplements except the subject referred to ( ie, in many cases, a verb phrase ). This also corresponds to the predicate term in Aristotelian logic. From this second definition, therefore, results in a major subdivision:

The predicate in the German

The predicate in the German one word ( one-piece predicate ) or multiple words ( multi-part predicate ). Multipart predicates can consist exclusively of verbs or of verbs and other parts of speech. The part of the predicate is not made of verbs is Prädikativum.

One-piece predicates

In one-piece predicates the verb used, which parts of a sentence are still needed at least determined. Example, requires the verb to sleep only one subject, while the verb give, depending on the context, a subject and at least one, but usually requires two objects. Sentence examples are:

  • You're sleeping.
  • The band gave a concert.
  • He gave her a tip.

Multipart predicates ( without predicative )

Multipart predicates, which consist only of verbs occur in sentences in the perfect tense or future tense or in sentences with modal verbs, for example. Examples are

  • I have found it. (Perfect )
  • We will see. ( Future)
  • The teacher has to work. ( Modal verb " must " )
  • We must sleep. ( Modal verb "may" )

Multipart predicates ( with predicative )

In multi-part predicates with predicative is called the verb Kopulaverb. Sentence examples are:

Modalverb
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