Predicate: meaning, definitions and examples
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predicate
[ ˈprɛdɪkət ]
linguistics
A word or phrase that expresses an action, condition, or state of being.
Synonyms
action word, verb phrase
Examples of usage
- In the sentence 'She is reading a book,' the word 'is reading' is a predicate.
- Predicates can be simple or complex, depending on the number of verbs and their relationship to the subject.
logic
Relating to or denoting a word, clause, or sentence that expresses an assertion, command, question, or exclamation.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The predicate element of a sentence can be either the subject or the object.
- In logic, a predicate is a statement that may be true or false, depending on the values of its variables.
Word origin
The word 'predicate' originated from the Latin word 'praedicāre,' which means 'proclaim.' It entered the English language in the 16th century through the field of logic and grammar. Over time, its usage expanded to include various linguistic and logical contexts, becoming an essential term in these disciplines.