Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
constative
Adjective
/ˈkɒnstəˌtɪv/
Definition
A term used to describe statements that convey information about the world and can be evaluated as true or false.
Examples
- The statement ‘The sky is blue’ is a constative because it can be proven true or false.
- Constative sentences help in conveying factual information.
- In the debate, she argued that not all utterances are constative, as some serve different communicative functions.
Meaning
In linguistics and philosophy, constative refers to the type of speech acts that describe states of affairs and can be objectively assessed for truthfulness, unlike performative speech acts which enact something rather than describe it.
Synonyms
- Descriptive
- Assertive
- Declarative
