predicator

9.9

The main verb or verb phrase that shows the subject's action and state

noun
/ˈprɛdɪˌkeɪtər/

Specialized

: predicador

In English grammar, the predicator is often the verb that provides crucial information about the subject of the sentence.

Examples

In the sentence, 'She runs', 'runs' is the predicator.
The verb is the main predicator in a sentence.
In the sentence 'She sings,' the verb 'sings' acts as the predicator.
Many sentences in English require a predicator to be grammatically complete.
The predicator determines the structure and meaning of a clause.
In the sentence 'She sings,' the verb 'sings' serves as the predicator by conveying the action performed by the subject.
An effective sentence must include a predicator, as it is essential for expressing what the subject is doing.

Synonyms

predicate

vspredicator

Specialized

5 6.8

The part of a sentence that says something about the subject and usually has the verb

refers to the specific word or phrase that performs that sentence function

Surface Forms

predicator singular

predicators plural

Morphology

predicator = predicate (transparent) = predicate + or

Formed by the base 'predicate' plus the agentive/nominal suffix '-or'; the meaning directly relates to 'predicate' in grammatical terms.

Etymology

Predicator comes from Latin parts prae- 'before' and dicare 'to say', the same root you see in predict. So a predicator is the part of a sentence that 'says' something about the subject — usually the verb.