2006-10-12 02:35:53 · 4 answers · asked by groovystef 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
As I understand it, an attributive noun is one which is used in an adjectival way. Examples: ice cream, shoe polish, book case. There the nouns "ice", "shoe" and "book" are used to describe or qualify the nouns which follow. They are therefore attributive nouns, as they attribute a quality to the noun which they describe. The cream is ice cold, the polish is for shoes, the case is for books. The two nouns are juxtaposed, one describing the other.
A predicative noun is used in counterposition with another noun. Examples: "My son is a policeman". "Father turned cook." "That man's the whole problem." In each of these examples the first noun shares an identity with the second noun. Son-policeman; father-cook; man-problem.
2006-10-12 03:00:39 · answer #1 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK you got me because I don't know the term attributive noun... Nonetheless, (that has never stopped me before) I see in my dictionary that it is a 'word' that modifies a noun directly without a copula verb.... well, that tells you right there what it is.
The red dress... ( modifying dress directly without the copula ) is the attributive and The dress is red. ( modifying dress but using the copula ) is the predictative. This is perfectly clear to me ... I hope it works for you.
Wait... I will give you a little treat: Herman is a problem child. This is a attributive that is used as part of an predicative.
2006-10-12 16:55:25 · answer #2 · answered by madchriscross 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Noun attributive with the verb To BE Ex. He is a doctor.
Predicative noun with other verbs Ex: He eats carrots
2006-10-12 09:40:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
go on to the bbc bitesize revision site... that would tell you :)
x
2006-10-12 09:43:08 · answer #4 · answered by danielle h 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋