"predicate-argument structure"的定义和意义

What is "predicate-argument structure"?

Predicate-argument structure refers to the relationship between the verb, the predicate, in a sentence and the nouns or pronouns, the arguments, that participate in the action or state described by that verb. The predicate expresses the action or state, while the arguments provide the necessary participants, such as the subject, object, or complement. For example, in the sentence "The cat chased the mouse," "chased" is the predicate, and "the cat" and "the mouse" are the arguments that indicate who is performing the action and who is receiving it. Understanding predicate-argument structure is important for analyzing how meaning is constructed in sentences, as it helps to clarify the roles and relationships between different elements within the sentence.