Basic Details
Word: Attributively
Part of Speech: Adverb
Meaning: In grammar, placed before the noun it describes, as red is in a red ball. The opposite is predicatively, as in the ball is red.
Antonyms: predicatively
How to Spell Attributively
Syllables: at - trib - u - tive - ly
Tricky part: It keeps the double t of attribute and the u after trib. The e of attribute drops before ive, and then ly is added: attribut-ive-ly.
Watch out for: atributively, attributivly, attribitively
Memory tip: Build it in three steps: attribute, drop the e and add ive to get attributive, then add ly. Each step keeps the a-t-t-r-i-b-u-t start.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Our grammar book explains when adjectives are used attributively and when they are used predicatively.
Example 2: In the sleepy cat, sleepy is used attributively, but in the cat is sleepy it is used predicatively.
Example 3: Some nouns can also be used attributively, like school in school bus.
Fun Fact
A few adjectives can only be used attributively. We can say the main reason, but nobody says the reason is main.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Three words in the list are spelt correctly and one is misspelt. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word.
1. adjective 2. predicate 3. atributively 4. comparative
a) the form of an adjective used to compare two things
b) the part of a sentence that says something about the subject
c) in the position before the noun it describes
d) a word that describes a noun
Show answer
c) in the position before the noun it describes. Atributively has lost a t; the word starts att, as attribute does.
Word Connection
Choose the word opposite in meaning to attributively as used in the sentence:
In a brave soldier, the adjective brave is used attributively.
a) grammatically
b) descriptively
c) predicatively
d) correctly
Show answer
c) predicatively. An adjective used predicatively comes after a verb such as is, the opposite position to attributively.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
attrib_tiv_ly
a) u, e
b) u, a
c) i, e
d) i, a
Show answer
a) u, e. Attribute gives the u after trib, and ive brings the e.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
In a golden crown, the adjective golden is used yvltietbaurti.
a) attributive
b) attractively
c) attributively
d) distributively
Show answer
c) attributively. Attributive has no ly and attractively has a c; thirteen letters with three t's give attributively.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. In which phrase is the adjective used attributively?
a) a noisy classroom
b) the room became noisy
c) the classroom is noisy
d) it seemed noisy
Show answer
a) a noisy classroom
2. Attributively comes from attribute, which as a verb means ____.
a) to attack someone suddenly and without any warning
b) to pay money to the government as a yearly tax
c) to divide something into many small and equal parts
d) to say that something is caused by or belongs to someone
Show answer
d) to say that something is caused by or belongs to someone
