The predicate is the part of a sentence that gives us more information about the subject. The subject of the sentence tells us “who” or “what” is performing the action. The predicate simply explains the action. To connect the subject and predicate (nominative and adjective), we usually use a linking verb like: is, was, became, felt, were, etc.
A predicate nominative is a noun or noun phrase that completes the linking verb by renaming the subject. The predicate adjective is an adjective or adjective phrase that completes the linking verb by describing the subject of the sentence.
Table of Content
- What is a predicate nominative with examples?
- What is a predicate adjective with examples?
- Predicate Nominative vs Predicate Adjective
- How to identify predicate nominatives?
- How to identify predicate adjectives?
- Summary
1. What is a Predicate Nominative With Examples?
Definition: A Predicate Nominative is a noun or pronoun that completes a linking verb by renaming the subject of the sentence.
For Example: Peter is the coach. Peter is the subject of the sentence and the coach is the predicate nominative. The coach renames the subject Peter.
For Example: Mrs Johnston is the teacher. Mrs Johnston is the subject of the sentence and the teacher is the predicate nominative. The teacher renames the subject Mrs Johnston.
Examples of Predicate Nominatives
- Jonathan is the leader of the band. (Predicate Nominative as a noun phrase)
- Rebekah is the winner of the race. (Predicate Nominative as a noun phrase)
- Donald Trump was the president. (Predicate Nominative as a noun)
- She is the speaker. (Predicate Nominative as a noun)
- David is the boss. (Predicate Nominative as a noun)
- James became the new CEO of the company. (Predicate Nominative as a noun phrase)
- Timothy will be the speaker. (Predicate Nominative as a noun – note the linking verb can be more than one word).
- John and Luke are soldiers in the army. (Predicate Nominative as a noun phrase)
- The man could have been a detective in the police force. (Predicate Nominative as a noun phrase – note the linking verb can include auxiliary verbs)
- Joshua is a biblical character. (Predicate Nominative as a noun)
2. What is a Predicate Adjective With Examples?
Definition: A predicate adjective is an adjective or adjective phrase that completes the linking verb by describing the subject of the sentence.
For example: David is bossy. David is the subject of the sentence and bossy is the predicate adjective because bossy describes the subject David.
For Example: Rachel was beautiful at her wedding. Rachel is the subject of the sentence and beautiful is the predicate adjective because beautiful describes the subject Rachel.
Examples of Predicate Adjectives
- She is gorgeous with long hair. (Predicate Adjective as an adjective phrase)
- Jenny is intelligent. (Predicate Adjective as an adjective)
- The speech seems irrelevant. (Predicate Adjective as an adjective)
- She looks beautiful in the red dress. (Predicate Adjective as an adjective phrase)
- The medicine tasted terrible (Predicate Adjective as an adjective)
- Jennifer was generous, humble and kind. (Predicate Adjective as adjectives)
- Jimmy feels positive about the decision. (Predicate Adjective as an adjective phrase)
- The muffins smell delightful. (Predicate Adjective as an adjective)
- He is arrogant. (Predicate Adjective as an adjective)
- Candice is optimistic about the situation. (Predicate Adjective as an adjective phrase)
3. Predicate Nominative vs Predicate Adjective
Let’s look at the differences between predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives by putting some examples side-by-side!
Predicate Nominative and Adjective Side-By-Side
- David is the boss. (Boss is a noun and therefore it is a predicate nominative)
- David is bossy. (Bossy is an adjective and therefore it is a predicate adjective)
- James is a critic. (Critic is a noun and therefore it is a predicate nominative)
- James is critical. (Critical is an adjective and therefore it is a predicate adjective)
| DIFFERENCES | Predicate Nominative | Predicate Adjective |
|---|---|---|
| Number 1 | A predicate nominative is a noun that follows a linking verb. | A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb. |
| Number 2 | The predicate nominative renames the subject. | The predicate adjective describes the subject. |
| Number 3 | The predicate nominative follows the linking verb “be”. | The predicate adjective can follow several linking verbs like, “is,” “smell,” “look,” “seem,” etc. |
4. How To Identify Predicate Nominatives?
There are 3 guidelines that will help you identify predicate nominatives.
- Check to see if it is a noun or noun phrase!
- Check to see if it follows a linking verb!
- Check to see if it renames the subject!
5. How To Identify Predicate Adjectives?
There are also 3 guidelines that will help you identify predicate adjectives.
- Check to see if it is an adjective or adjective phrase!
- Check to see if it follows a linking verb!
- Check to see if it describes the subject!
6. Summary
A predicate nominative is a noun or noun phrase that completes the linking verb by renaming the subject. The predicate adjective is an adjective or adjective phrase that completes the linking verb by describing the subject of the sentence.
