Predications can be classified according to the syntactic category of the argument and according to the syntactic category of the predicate. In the example below, the argument of the predication, Jan, has been bracketed:

There are three types of predicative constructions providing an outer structure, and an example of each of them is provided below.

1. Complementive: In a complementive construction, the presence of the predicate is required by the larger structure in which it occurs. This larger structure generally involves a main verb. The verb in the outer structure cannot occur without the AP. Examples containing copulas occur below:
   Example 4

   
   

   Die kind is sopnat.

   the child is soup.wet

   The child is sopping wet.

   Example 5

   
   

   Martie bly kwaad vir my.

   Martie stays cross for me

   Martie remains cross with me.

   Example 6

   
   

   Jy het die antwoord verkeerd.

   you have the answer wrong

   You have got the answer wrong.

2. Supplementive: In supplementive and appositive constructions, the predication is an optional addition to the outer structure and to a nominal argument in it, for example dronkdrunk in example (7) below.
   Example 7

   
   

   Gert het dronk by die deur ingestrompel.

   Gert has drunk stumbled by the door in

   Gert stumbled in through the door, drunk.

3. Appositive: In appositive structures, the predication is not integrated in the syntactic structure, as signalled by the comma intonation.
   Example 8

   
   

   Toe gaan Jesus, uitgeput van die reis, by die fontein van Jakob sit.

   then went Jesus, exhausted from the journey, by the fountain of Jacob sit

   Then Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by Jacob's well.