SUBJECT COMPLEMENTS

Predicate Nominatives:

A predicate nominative is a noun (naming word) or a pronoun (a word used in place of a noun) that is the same as the subject of the sentence. It explains or identifies something about the subject.

Predicate nominative = P.N.

P.N.

Ex. Ms. Hayes is our teacher.

The predicate nominative and the subject can be inverted and the sentence will retain its meaning. This is a way to test for the predicate nominative.

P.N.

Ex. Our teacher is Ms. Hayes.

Predicate nominatives always follow linking verbs.

A sentence may contain a compound predicate nominative.

P.N. P.N.

Ex. Our teacher is Ms. Hayes or Ms. Rose.

In a question (an interrogative sentence), the predicate nominative may be more difficult to find. Try this: change the question to a statement and then identify the subject and predicate nominative.

Ex. Is our teacher Ms. Hayes or Ms. Rose?

P.N. P.N.

Ex. Our teacher is Ms. Hayes or Ms. Rose.

Avoid confusing the predicate nominative with the direct object or objects of the preposition.

Predicate Adjectives:

A predicate adjective is an adjective (a describing word) that follows a linking verb and describes the subject of the sentence. In order for a word to be a predicate adjective, it must have a linking verb and describe the subject of the sentence.

Remember you can test a linking verb by replacing the verb with a form of the verb be (am, are, be, being, been, is was, or were). If the sentence retains its meaning when this is done, the verb is usually a linking verb.

P.A.

Ex. The idea seems great. (great idea)

P.A.

Ex. The idea is great. (great idea)

There may be more than one predicate adjective in a sentence.

P.A. P.A.

Ex. The idea seems great and sensible. (great idea; sensible idea)