The Nature of a Predicate: The Case of Depictives

Depictive predicates are adjuncts with specific event-related properties. An analysis that derives these properties in the most comprehensive way is still a matter of debate. In this paper, we propose a structural account of depictive predicates and claim that their interpretations are grounded in syntax. This account is part of our general theory of predicates, which characterizes the functional head of the predicate phrase as a particular type of discourse element. We show that this head is central to an analysis of depictive constructions as well as to other predication domains, allowing for a unified account of secondary predicate types. Our analysis thus further advances the understanding of the nature of predicate constructions in general.