Predicate Nominatives and Adjectives: Defining the Subject
Predicate nominatives and adjectives are words that re-name or describe the subject of a sentence, but they don't directly act upon it like a verb does. They appear after a linking verb, which connects the subject to the word that renames or describes it.
Here's a breakdown:
1. Linking Verbs: These verbs don't show action, but rather link the subject to a noun or adjective that renames or describes it.
Common linking verbs:
* be verbs (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been)
* appear, become, feel, grow, look, remain, seem, smell, sound, taste
2. Predicate Nominatives:
* Function: A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that renames the subject.
* Position: It follows a linking verb and is in the nominative case.
* Example: "My sister is a doctor." (Doctor renames the subject, sister)
3. Predicate Adjectives:
* Function: A predicate adjective describes the subject.
* Position: It follows a linking verb and is in the adjective form.
* Example: "The flowers are beautiful." (Beautiful describes the subject, flowers)
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | Predicate Nominative | Predicate Adjective |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Renames the subject | Describes the subject |
| Part of speech | Noun or pronoun | Adjective |
| Example | "She is a teacher." | "The sky is blue." |
Identifying Predicate Nominatives and Adjectives:
1. Find the subject of the sentence.
2. Find the linking verb.
3. The word that comes after the linking verb is either the predicate nominative or the predicate adjective.
4. Ask yourself: Does the word rename the subject (predicate nominative) or describe the subject (predicate adjective)?
Note: Predicate nominatives and adjectives are essential for understanding sentence structure and adding depth and detail to your writing.