Abstract
This paper attempts a solution to classical problem of predication, the unity of sentence: how, instead of merely listing several things they designate, parts of sentence combine to represent something as being case. While this capacity of a sequence of terms to say some single thing is standardly attributed to distinct function of 'subject' and 'predicate' terms, these functional differences need explaining. Here, they are traced to distinctive, asymmetrical causal explanation of tokening of expressions serving one role or another in speech act: unity of sentence is explained by interconnection and interdependence of cause of predicate on that of subject. Thus account adverts to pragmatic character of expressions rather than ontology of what they denote. This causal context explains several central semantic features of predication.
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