Topic 3: predicates Introduction to Semantics Definition Any word which can function as the predicator of a sentence. Predicators The parts which are not referring expressions Nouns, verbs, adjectives, preposition NOT conjunctions (and, but, or, so), articles (a, the) A predicate can only have one sense in a sentence. A word may have multiple senses. Semantic elements of a simple declarative sentence Referring expressions = arguments Predicator = predicate Example: Romeo loves Juliet. Arguments=Romeo, Juliet Predicate=love Grammatical vs. semantic analysis Grammatical analysis Semantic analysis Subject Verb Object Romeo loves Juliet Argument 1 Predicate Argument 2 Degree of a predicate The degree of a predicate is determined by the number of arguments One-place predicate Requires one argument John kicks. Two-place predicate Requires two arguments John kicks the ball. How do we talk about the nonexistent things? Can language be used to talk about an unreal imaginative world? Harry Potter Narnia