Predicates in sign language grammar are used to add what aspect of the statement?

• A. The 'action' or verb-action
• B. Location on the body
• C. Tense and aspect
• D. Negation

Answer: (A)

Predicates carry the action of the sentence—the verb and what the subject is doing or experiencing. In ASL, the subject identifies who or what, and the predicate signs the verb, showing the action or state that describes the situation. For example, signing the subject “child” and then signing “run” communicates that the child is performing the action of running. You can add aspect or timing around the verb, but the core idea the predicate provides is the action being described.

The other elements aren’t the main job of the predicate here. Location on the body isn’t what the predicate conveys; it’s more about where you place signs or how you sign certain classifiers. Negation is expressed with a separate sign or facial expression and isn’t the core function of the predicate. Tense and aspect can be reflected in how the verb is signed or with time markers, but the predicate’s primary role is to express the action or state.