Predicates and arguments

Predicates and arguments

1. Predicate

   • A word which functions as the verb does here.

2. Arguments

   • Words which function as the nouns do.
     • Example
       • Selene slept
         • Selene=Predicate
         • Slept=Argument

3. Agent

   • An argumet who deliberately performs an action.
     • Examples
       • Harold hit Henrey Sam saw Simon
         • Whit hit the one doing the hitting consciously performs an action and the one who gets hit affected is some way by this.
         • Whit see, the arguments are not interpreted as agent and patient however: Sam is not performing any action and Simon is not getting acted upon in.

4. Patient

   • One who or which is acted upon.

5. Theta grid.

   • The part of a predicate´s lexical entry which informs us about which o-roles the predicate has its theta-grid