Predicative vs. Attributive: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 27, 2023
Predicative adjectives follow a verb and describe the subject, while attributive adjectives precede a noun and directly modify it.
Key Differences
Predicative adjectives are used after a verb, such as "be," "seem," or "look," and provide information about the subject of the sentence. Attributive adjectives, however, are placed directly before a noun and modify the noun directly.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
In a predicative position, the adjective typically follows a linking verb and describes the state or quality of the subject. For instance, in "The sky is blue," "blue" is predicative. In contrast, attributive adjectives are part of the noun phrase, as in "The blue sky," where "blue" directly describes "sky."
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Dec 27, 2023
Predicative adjectives can provide a broader range of information since they are linked to the subject via a verb. Attributive adjectives, on the other hand, are more limited to describing inherent qualities or characteristics of the noun they modify.
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Dec 27, 2023
A predicative adjective often gives more subjective or temporary information about the subject, like feelings or states. In contrast, attributive adjectives tend to describe more permanent, inherent qualities of a noun.
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Dec 27, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Type of Information
Subjective, temporary states or feelings
Permanent, inherent qualities
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Usage in Sentence
Provides broader information
More limited, direct description
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Dec 27, 2023
Predicative and Attributive Definitions
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Attributive
A word or word group, such as an adjective, that is placed adjacent to the noun it modifies without a linking verb; for example, pale in the pale girl.
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Oct 19, 2023
Predicative
To base or establish (a statement or action, for example)
I predicated my argument on the facts.
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Oct 19, 2023
Attributive
(Grammar) Of, relating to, or being an attributive, as an adjective.
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Oct 19, 2023
Predicative
To state or affirm as an attribute or quality of something
The sermon predicated the perfectibility of humankind.
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Oct 19, 2023
Attributive
Modifying another word, typically a noun, while in the same phrase.
In "this big house", "big" is attributive, whereas in "this house is big", it is predicative.
In "this tiger is a man-eater," "man" is an attributive noun.
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Oct 19, 2023
Predicative
(Logic) To make (a term or expression) the predicate of a proposition.
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Attributive
Attributing; characterized by attributing; effecting attribution.
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Attributive
(grammar) An attributive word or phrase (see above), contrasted with predicative or substantive.
In "this big house," "big" is an attributive, while in "this house is big," it is a predicative.
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Oct 19, 2023
Attributive
Attributing; pertaining to, expressing, or assigning an attribute; of the nature of an attribute.
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Predicative
(Grammar) One of the two main constituents of a sentence or clause, modifying the subject and including the verb, objects, or phrases governed by the verb, as opened the door in Jane opened the door or is very sleepy in The child is very sleepy.
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Oct 19, 2023
Attributive
A word that denotes an attribute; esp. a modifying word joined to a noun; an adjective or adjective phrase.
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Oct 19, 2023
Predicative
(Logic) That part of a proposition that is affirmed or denied about the subject. For example, in the proposition We are mortal, mortal is the predicate.
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Oct 19, 2023
Attributive
Of adjectives; placed before the nouns they modify;
`red' is an attributive adjective in `a red apple'
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Oct 19, 2023
Predicative
(Grammar) Of or belonging to the predicate of a sentence or clause.
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Attributive
Provides specific description.
Tall buildings dominate the skyline.
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Predicative
Modifying a noun while in a predicate phrase, which predicate phrase is other than the noun phrase and occurs after a verb, as a predicate; contrasted with attributive.
In the sentence, ‘This house is big’, ‘big’ is predicative, whereas in ‘This is a big house’, it is attributive.
Compound adjectives are typically hyphenated in attributive position (for example, 'a high-quality scan is a must'), whereas in predicative position, many house styles specify open styling (for example, 'this scan is high quality.'
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Oct 19, 2023
Predicative
(grammar) An element of the predicate of a sentence which complements the subject or object by means of the verb. Predicatives may be nominal or adjectival.
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Oct 19, 2023
Predicative
(grammar) In some languages, a special part of speech used as a predicate and denoting a state of being.
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Oct 19, 2023
Predicative
Expressing affirmation or predication; affirming; predicating, as, a predicative term.
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Oct 19, 2023
Predicative
Of adjectives; relating to or occurring within the predicate of a sentence;
`red' is a predicative adjective in `the apple is red'
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does predicative mean?
Refers to adjectives following a verb to describe the subject.
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Dec 27, 2023
Can predicative adjectives be subjective?
Yes, they often convey subjective information.
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Dec 27, 2023
Do predicative adjectives describe permanent states?
They usually describe temporary states or feelings.
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Dec 27, 2023
Can a predicative adjective follow any verb?
It typically follows linking verbs like "is," "seem."
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Dec 27, 2023
Are attributive adjectives part of the noun phrase?
Yes, they form part of the noun phrase.
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Dec 27, 2023
Are predicative adjectives essential for the sentence's meaning?
They provide additional but crucial information.
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Dec 27, 2023
What do attributive adjectives describe?
Inherent qualities or characteristics of a noun.
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Dec 27, 2023
Do attributive adjectives change the noun’s meaning?
They specify and often enhance the meaning.
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Dec 27, 2023
Do predicative adjectives agree in number with the subject?
They agree in terms of relevancy but not in number.
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Dec 27, 2023
How do attributive adjectives affect a sentence?
They directly modify and specify the noun.
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Dec 27, 2023
Do predicative adjectives come after the subject?
Yes, they follow the verb after the subject.
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Dec 27, 2023
Can attributive adjectives be used predicatively?
Some can, depending on the context.
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Dec 27, 2023
Are predicative adjectives always adjectives?
Yes, they function as adjectives in the sentence.
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Dec 27, 2023
Can a sentence have multiple predicative adjectives?
Yes, linked by a verb.
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Dec 27, 2023
Is the use of predicative adjectives common?
Yes, especially in descriptive language.
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Dec 27, 2023
Can an attributive adjective be moved?
It usually stays before the noun it modifies.
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Dec 27, 2023
How do attributive adjectives interact with nouns?
They closely describe and are linked to the noun.
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Dec 27, 2023
Can attributive adjectives be plural?
No, they remain singular to modify singular or plural nouns.
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Dec 27, 2023
Are attributive adjectives used in every sentence?
Not every sentence, but they are common in description.
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Dec 27, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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