In the twenty-first class of the Latin from Scratch course, we’ll study the predicative complement, both referring to the subject and to the direct object. At first it might be hard to spot, but we’ll understand it by practicing.
I explain everything in the following video (⏳ 09m 15s ⌛):
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Morphosyntax
The definition of predicative complement might be hard to get, but we can summarize it as the conjunction of two functions: the one of the attribute of a noun or pronoun, and the one of the adverbial of a verb. It is some kind of mix of both functions.
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An adjective has a predicative function and refers to a noun or pronoun (the subject or the direct object) through a non-copulative verb; therefore it cannot be an attribute (they require a copulative verb) or an adverbial of manner (despite the semantics; we are dealing with an adjective, not an adverb). It is also different from a regular adjective.
The predicative complement agrees in gender, number and case with the noun it refers to.
Puer ambulat laetus.
The boy walks glad.
We have a predicative of the subject. We should not translate it The glad boy walks or The boy walks gladly.
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Senatus Q. Fabium Maximum dictatorem creavit.
The senate appointed Quintus Fabius Maximus dictator.
In this sentence we have a predicative of the direct object. These usually appear in similar structures: appoint somebody (as) something/role, consider (that) someone (is) something, etc. (In these cases, the predicative might be considered a noun more than an adjective).
Once we’ve understood both the apposition and the predicative complements, let’s practice and learn a few things about the god Apollo.
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