predicate
gb/pɹˈɛdɪkˌeɪt/ us/pɹˈɛdɪkˌeɪt/
B2
Anglais
Sens
0 sens
Nom
technical
B2
role
1
the verb part of a sentence
The part of a sentence that tells what the subject does or is.
Schéma d’usage :
the predicate (of [a sentence/clause])
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes think the predicate is only the main verb; in many explanations it includes the verb plus other words that complete its meaning.
Synonymes
verb phrase (Often overlaps in practice, but a predicate can include more than the verb phrase depending on the grammar framework.)
Antonymes
subject (In traditional grammar, the subject is what the sentence is about, contrasted with the predicate.)
Collocations
subject and predicate
|simple predicate
|complete predicate
|grammatical predicate
|identify the predicate
|predicate of the sentence
|predicate of the clause
|split the subject and predicate
|the predicate includes
|compound predicate
Thèmes
language
|grammar
|education
Exemples
- In the sentence “The dog barked loudly,” “barked loudly” is the predicate.
- The teacher asked us to underline the subject once and the predicate twice.
- In “Sam is a doctor,” the predicate tells us something about Sam.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Find the predicate in this sentence.
- The predicate has the verb.
Nom
technical
C1
relation
2
a true-or-false property in logic
A condition that is either true or false.
Schéma d’usage :
a predicate (on/over [something]) | predicate [name/symbol] ([variables])
Erreur fréquente :
In programming, learners may confuse a predicate (a true/false test) with a general function that returns other kinds of values.
Synonymes
condition (Common in programming; a predicate is specifically a condition that evaluates to true/false.)
Collocations
boolean predicate
|predicate function
|predicate expression
|predicate symbol
|unary predicate
|binary predicate
|selection predicate
|filter predicate
|satisfy a predicate
|predicate over a set
Thèmes
computing
|math
|logic
Exemples
- Let P(x) be the predicate “x is even.”
- The query applies a predicate to filter out inactive accounts.
- The function expects a predicate that returns true for valid inputs.
Exemples pédagogiques
- This predicate is true when x is 10.
- Use a predicate to filter the list.
Verbe
formal
C2
action
3
base something on a stated reason
To base one thing on another thing.
Schéma d’usage :
predicate [something] on/upon [something]
Erreur fréquente :
This verb is usually used with on/upon (predicate X on Y), not *predicate X with Y*.
Synonymes
base (More common and less formal.)
|
found (Formal; emphasizes establishing something on a principle or fact.)
Antonymes
disregard (To not take a factor as relevant or necessary.)
Collocations
predicate a decision on
|predicate a claim on
|predicate an argument on
|predicate success on
|predicate approval upon
|predicate the plan on
|predicate funding on
|predicate liability on
|predicate action upon
|predicate the offer on
Thèmes
writing
|law
|business
Exemples
- The offer was predicated on the buyer securing financing within thirty days.
- They predicated the policy change on new safety data.
- Her argument is predicated upon the assumption that prices will fall.
Exemples pédagogiques
- We predicated the plan on good weather.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
predicate
API
GB/pɹˈɛdɪkˌeɪt/
US/pɹˈɛdɪkˌeɪt/
Syllabes et accentuation
pre - dic - ate (3 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (pre)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: predicate
- Plural: predicates
Verb
- Base: predicate
- 3rd Person Singular: predicates
- Present Participle: predicating
- Past: predicated
Famille de mots
Forms
predicates
noun
predicating
verb
predicated
verb
Core family
predicative
adjective C1
Related words
predication
noun
predicatively
adverb
Expressions
be predicated on/upon
1/bˈi pɹˈɛdɪkˌeɪtɪd ənəpən/
fixed phrase
formal
depend on a condition or basis
To be based on something.
Exemples
- The entire schedule is predicated on the shipment arriving by Friday.
- The agreement is predicated upon full disclosure of the risks.
- Their forecasts are predicated on stable interest rates.
predicate adjective
1/pɹˈɛdɪkɪt ˈæd͡ʒɪktɪv/
fixed phrase
technical
adjective after linking verb
An adjective that describes the subject after “be,” “seem,” etc.
Exemples
- In “The soup tastes salty,” “salty” is a predicate adjective.
- A predicate adjective comes after a linking verb, not directly before a noun.
- In “He seems nervous,” “nervous” functions as a predicate adjective.
predicate logic
1/pɹˈɛdɪkɪt lˈɑd͡ʒɪk/
fixed phrase
technical
logic with predicates and quantifiers
A kind of formal logic using “all/some” and properties.
Exemples
- The course introduces proof techniques in predicate logic.
- Predicate logic can represent statements like “All dogs are mammals.”
- Many areas of AI use ideas from predicate logic.
predicate nominative
1/pɹˈɛdɪkˌeɪt nˈoʊmənətɪv/
fixed phrase
technical
noun that renames the subject
A noun after “be” that names the subject again.
Exemples
- In “Alex is the captain,” “the captain” is a predicate nominative.
- A predicate nominative completes the meaning of a linking verb by identifying the subject.
- In “It was she,” “she” is sometimes analyzed as a predicate nominative in formal grammar.
simple predicate
1/sˈɪmpəl pɹˈɛdɪkɪt/
fixed phrase
technical
the main verb alone
The main verb in a sentence.
Exemples
- In “The children have been playing outside,” the simple predicate is “have been playing.”
- Underline the simple predicate in each sentence.
- The simple predicate usually answers what the subject does or is.
subject and predicate
1/sˈʌbd͡ʒɪkt ˈænd pɹˈɛdɪkˌeɪt/
fixed phrase
technical
two main parts of a sentence
The two main parts of a sentence: the subject and what is said about it.
Exemples
- In class we practiced breaking sentences into subject and predicate.
- The worksheet asks you to label the subject and predicate in each example.
- Understanding subject and predicate can help you spot sentence fragments.