Introduction

Relevance of the Theme

Language Resources: Predicate and Predicative

The study of essential terms in a sentence is fundamental for the understanding and proper production of language. The predicate, in particular, is one of the main elements of sentence structure and determines the meaning of the action or state that the subject performs or undergoes. The predicative complements the meaning of the subject or object, functioning as an adjective or noun, extending these latter, respectively, to the subject and the object.

The essential terms in a sentence make up the basis of syntax, and it is they that determine the functions that words perform in sentences. Thus, the in-depth study of the predicate and the predicative is of vital importance for the structural understanding of statements, as well as for the development of students' textual expression skills.

Contextualization

Portuguese Universe: Predicate and Predicative

We cannot disregard the role that grammar plays in an individual's formation. As a privileged instrument of communication, mastering the Portuguese language is a prerequisite for the full exercise of citizenship. The correct understanding of predicates and predicatives enables better textual planning, allowing students to construct clearer, cohesive, and coherent messages, as well as facilitating the interpretation of complex texts.

In the Portuguese language curriculum, the study of the predicate and the predicative represents a step forward in understanding the structures of the language, after topics such as subject, direct and indirect object, for example, have been addressed. By the 3rd year of high school, the grammatical foundations have already been established, and a deeper understanding of these terms allows for a more thorough analysis of texts and boosts the production of more expressive and convincing texts.

Theoretical Development

Components

• Predicate

  • Definition: In the structure of the sentence, the predicate represents what is said about the subject. It is the term that usually contains a verb and, therefore, expresses an action, state, or phenomenon.

  • Characteristics:

    • The predicate is one of the most important parts of a sentence, as it contains the verb, an essential element for constructing the meaning and structure of the statement.
    • It is responsible for indicating the action or state of the subject, thus having a close relationship with it.
    • It can appear in various forms, whether verbal, nominal, verb-nominal, or clausal.

• Predicative

  • Definition: The predicative is the term that, through the conjugation of linking verbs (to be, to stay, to seem, to walk, to continue, to remain, and to live), has the function of qualifying or attributing a characteristic, quality, state, or aspect to the subject or object of the sentence.

  • Characteristics:

    • The predicative can be of two types: of the subject and of the object.
    • The predicative of the subject is the term that refers to the subject of the sentence, characterizing or classifying it.
    • The predicative of the object refers to the direct and indirect object, whenever a linking verb is connected to it.
    • While the former describes or attributes characteristics to the subject, the latter qualifies or attributes characteristics to the object.

Key Terms

• Linking Verb: It is a type of verb that, instead of indicating a proper action, establishes a connection between the subject and the information given by the predicative. Its function is essential in the process of identifying the predicative.

• Nominal Complement: A term in the sentence that, linked to a noun through a preposition, completes its meaning. It is with the presence of the nominal complement that the presence of the predicative of the object is characterized, in case the predicative does not directly refer to an object.

Examples and Cases

• Predicate

  • Example of a verbal predicate: She studies a lot. (The action of 'studying' is attributed to 'she')
  • Example of a nominal predicate: The day is hot. (Quality of 'hot' attributed to 'day')
  • Example of a verb-nominal predicate: Everyone seemed happy. (Predicative of the subject - 'happy' characterizes 'everyone'; predicative of the verb - 'seemed' expresses a state)

• Predicative

  • Example of predicative of the subject: She is intelligent. ('intelligent' attributed to 'she', the subject of the sentence)
  • Example of predicative of the object: I saw the girl painting. ('painting' qualifies 'the girl', the direct object of the sentence)

Detailed Summary

Relevant Points

• Importance and Function of the Predicate in a Sentence:

  • The predicate is the term that informs what the subject is doing or in what situation it is. This demonstrates the intimate connection between the subject and the predicate, as the latter determines the meaning of the action or state of the former.

• Classification of the Predicate:

  • Understanding that the predicate can appear in various ways - verbal, nominal, verb-nominal, or clausal - is fundamental, as it demonstrates the versatility of this term, which impacts the construction of the meaning of sentences.

• Definition and Types of Predicative:

  • The predicative is a term that qualifies or attributes a characteristic to the subject or object of the sentence when linked to a linking verb. It is important to know how to identify the type of predicative (of the subject or of the object) and how it relates to the other terms in the sentence.

• Key Words and their Importance:

  • The linking verb and the nominal complement are essential for the identification and understanding of the predicative. Knowing how to identify them and understand their function aids in the interpretation and construction of sentences.

Conclusions

• Comprehensive Understanding of the Sentence:

  • Understanding the essential terms of a sentence, especially the predicate and the predicative, is essential for forming a global view of the structure of the statement, as well as for proper expression and interpretation.

• Implications in the Communication Process:

  • Correctly identifying and applying the predicate and the predicative contribute to more effective communication, as these terms are responsible for conveying the action, state, and characteristics of the entities that make up the discourse.

Suggested Exercises

1. Among the following sentences, identify the predicate and the type of predicate: