Survey of English Grammar Wiki: Predicate: Difference between revisions

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=== The Predicate ===
=== The Predicate ===
Every clause contains a predicate. The predicate is the highest VP (or AuxP) in a clause.
Every clause contains a predicate. The predicate is the highest VP (or AuxP) in a clause.
In English, clauses always have a VP predicate, however, this VP can also contain a semantically vacuous verb, such as the copula <code>be</code>, and an AP, NP, or PP (i.e. a predicative complement).
In English, clauses always have a VP predicate, however, this VP can also contain a semantically vacuous verb, such as the copula <code>be</code>, and an AP, NP, or PP (i.e. a predicative complement).
Example: with a VP predicate (a), and an AuxP predicate (b)
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(a)    _S_            (b)    _S_
        /  \                  /    \
        /    pred              /    pred
      /      \              /        \
    NP    ____VP___        NP  ______AuxP____
    /__\  /_________\      /__\ /______________\
    Pat  read a book.    Pat  will read a book.

Latest revision as of 13:23, 1 November 2021

The Predicate

Every clause contains a predicate. The predicate is the highest VP (or AuxP) in a clause. In English, clauses always have a VP predicate, however, this VP can also contain a semantically vacuous verb, such as the copula be, and an AP, NP, or PP (i.e. a predicative complement).