predicable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "predicable" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in philosophical or logical contexts to refer to something that can be affirmed or denied about a subject. Example: "In the study of logic, we often discuss whether certain attributes are predicable of a subject."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What he says he means by this is that the predicate be truly predicable at some time, in the present tense, of the supposita of the subject.

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In both cases we have a particular that is also a property, a subject of predication that is also a predicable entity, where the predicable entity is predicated of itself.

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On this account, substance is best understood by analogy with a grammatical subject it takes a predicate, and is not predicable of anything further.

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Leibniz agreed with Aristotle's characterization of substance as the grammatical subject of predication and not itself predicable of anything else.

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This makes his logical system considerably different from the Aristotelian/Neo-Platonic systems of the Middle Ages, since for the latter the predicative relation of any sentence of the subject/copula/predicate form had to be understood as modally determined by the particular nature of the predicable corresponding to the predicate (i.e., its species, genus, difference, proprium, accident).

SEP

Spinoza's claim that modes are "in" their substances also suggests that modes inhere in substances akin to the way that properties inhere in things, and that modes are therefore predicable of substances as subjects of predication.

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On his view, because of this formal distinction, not everything predicable of individuals can be directly predicated of universals and vice versa, although an indirect predication is always possible.

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These passages suggest that the self-predicational nature of Forms implies that the only property predicable of a Form is itself: i.e., Justice is just and the only thing Justice is is just.

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Both are individual and neither is predicable.

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They seem not to be predicable, or at least not as obviously so as the classic examples of universals.

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Socrates is a subjective part of Human Being and a subjective part of Animal, and Human Being and Animal are predicable of Socrates.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In philosophical or logical writing, ensure that you clearly define what you mean by "predicable" to avoid ambiguity. Consider providing examples to illustrate your usage.

Common error

Avoid using "predicable" in contexts where simpler alternatives like "attributable" or "applicable" would suffice. Reserve it for discussions specifically related to logic and predication.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "predicable" is as an adjective. It modifies a noun, indicating its capability of being predicated or affirmed about something. Ludwig shows the word being used mostly in academic contexts, aligning with its technical meaning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "predicable" is a grammatically sound adjective primarily employed in philosophical and logical contexts. Ludwig's analysis demonstrates its formal and scientific register, with a focus on the capability of something being affirmed or denied about a subject. The examples indicate a strong association with academic and scholarly discourse. While grammatically correct, users should reserve its usage for technical contexts related to logic and predication, as noted by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of being predicated

A more verbose restatement of "predicable", emphasizing the capacity for predication.

attributable

Emphasizes the quality of something being able to be assigned or ascribed to a subject.

ascribable

Similar to attributable, but often implies a more causal relationship.

affirmable

Focuses on the capacity to be positively asserted or declared true.

applicable

Highlights the suitability of something to be applied to a specific case or situation.

able to be affirmed

Focuses on the ability to be positively asserted or confirmed.

logically consistent

Highlights the compatibility of a statement or concept within a logical framework.

deducible

Emphasizes the capability of being inferred or derived from given premises.

inferable

Similar to deducible, but implies a slightly weaker level of certainty.

derivable

Focuses on the ability to be obtained or extracted from something else.

FAQs

How is "predicable" used in logic?

In logic, "predicable" refers to whether a certain attribute can be affirmed or denied about a subject. It's a key concept in understanding relationships between subjects and predicates in statements.

What's a more common synonym for "predicable"?

While "predicable" is quite specific to philosophical contexts, you can often use "attributable" or "applicable" in broader contexts.

How does "predicable" relate to the concept of a predicate?

"Predicable" describes the characteristic of something being suitable for use as a predicate in a sentence, meaning it can be affirmed or denied of a subject.

Is there a difference between "predictable" and "predicable"?

Yes, "predictable" means capable of being predicted or foreseen, while "predicable" refers to the capability of being predicated or affirmed of something in a logical sense. They are not interchangeable.