predicative adjective

English

Noun

predicative adjective (plural predicative adjectives)

1. (grammar) An adjective that is not part of the noun clause it modifies, but is linked to it with a copula.

   ‘Complicated’ is a predicative adjective in the sentence ‘Grammar is complicated.’

Usage notes

In English, predicative adjectives usually follow both the noun clause that it modifies and the copula. However, sentences can be constructed in inverted order, e.g.:

Happy is the man that feareth alway — In such constructions, the predicative adjective (Happy) precedes the noun clause it modifies (the man that feareth alway).

Translations

adjective that follows noun

• Dutch: predicatief (nl) bijvoeglijk naamwoord (nl) n
• French: attribut (fr) m

• Romanian: adjectiv predicativ n, atribut (ro)
• Scottish Gaelic: buadhair aisneiseach m