PREDICATE ADJECTIVES & PREDICATE NOMINATIVES

Subject Complements

SUBJECT COMPLEMENTS A word or word group that completes

the meaning of a linking verb and that identifies or describes the subject

The lemonade tastes sour. Mrs. Johnson is a dedicated teacher. The pliers were what she wanted.

PREDICATE NOMINATIVES A word or word group that is in the

predicate and that identifies the subject or refers to it.

It may be a noun, pronoun, or word group that functions as a noun. It completes the meaning of a linking verb.

LINKING VERBS Forms of BE verbs = linking verbs: is, are, was, were, am, be, being,

been

Other common linking verbs: appear become feel grow

look remain seem smell sound

stay taste turn

DIRECTIONS

1. Find the linking verb. 2. Ask “verb what?” 3. If the answer is a noun and renames the subject, it is a predicate nominative.

EXAMPLES--PN Mr. Baker is the football coach.

What is the linking verb? Is Is what? Coach Coach renames Mr. Baker. Coach is the

PN.

EXAMPLES--PN My aunt’s niece is she.

What is the linking verb? Is Is what? She---------renames my aunt’s niece. She is the PN.

EXAMPLES--PN Mrs. Daniell became the President of

the United States.

What is the linking verb? Became Became what? President------renames Mrs. Daniell. It

is the PN.

EXAMPLES--PN Is the winner whoever gets the most votes? v s

Linking verb? Is Is what? Whoever gets the most votes---renames

winner.

EXAMPLES--PN Kim is one of my closest friends. What is the linking verb? Is Is what? One (of my closest friends is a prep

phrase) One is the PN.

ASSIGNMENT

Pg. 406, #1-10. (Identify the verb and PN.)

PG. 406 1. Horticulture is the art or science of growing

flowers, fruits, vegetables, and other plants. Is what? art , science—pn 2. Through germination, a seed becomes a plant. Becomes what? Plant—pn 3. The developing plant is a seedling. Is what? seedling—pn 4. Growing plants is a pleasure for many people. Is what? Pleasure—pn

PG. 406 5. With light and moisture, seedlings will become

healthy plants. Will become what? Do I use healthy or plants??????? NOUNplants--pn 6. Nasturtiums are flowers that can be eaten. Are what? Flowers—pn 7. Rain is a welcome sight for gardeners. Is what? Sight—pn 8. Helio, from the Greek language, is a word meaning

“sun.” Is what? Word--pn

PG. 406 9. Some flowers that turn to the sun, like

sunflowers, are heliotropes. Are what? heliotropes—pn

10. Some other flowers always remain shade lovers. Remain what? Shade (adj) or lovers (noun) LOVERS--pn

PREDICATE ADJECTIVE An adjective that is in the predicate and that describes the subject.

It completes the meaning of a linking verb.

EXAMPLES--PA The Whitewater Wildcats are very powerful. Subject? Wildcats Verb? Are Are what? Powerful (Wildcats are powerful. Powerful

describes wildcats.)

EXAMPLES--PA This chili tastes spicy. Subject? Chili Verb? Tastes (linking verb) Tastes what? Spicy. Spicy is the PA—it describes the chili

EXAMPLES--PA A computer can be fun, helpful, and

sometimes frustrating. Subject? Computer Verb? Can be Can be what? Fun, helpful, frustrating--PA

ASSIGNMENT

Pg. 407, ex. 6, #1-10.

PG. 407 1. The great stone dogs that guard the entrance to

Chinatown look a bit frightening. Linking verb? Subject? Dogs look Dogs look…what? Frightening—adj or noun? Frightening = pa

2. The streets there are crowded and full of bustling actvity.

verb? Subject? Streets are…..what? Crowded, full Adjpa

PG. 407 3. The special foods and beverages at the tearooms

and restaurants smell wonderful. Verb? Subject? Foods, beverages smell…what? Wonderful…..adj or noun? Pa

4. To an outsider, the mixture of Chinese and English languages can sound both mysterious and intriguing.

Verb? Subject? Mixture can sound … what? Mysterious, intriguing…..noun or adj? pa

PG. 407 5. The art at the Chinese Culture Center is

impressive. Verb? Subject? Art is…..what? Impressive……noun or adj? Pa

6. The Chinese Historical Society of America is fascinating.

Verb? Subject? Chinese Historical Society is….what Fascinating…..noun or adj? Pa

PG. 407 7. Taking a walking tour of Chinatown is tiring. Verb? Subject? Taking a walking tour (noun gerund phrase) is…

what? Tiring…adj or noun? PA

8. Chinatown appears huge, and it is; it covers about sixteen square blocks.

Verb? Subject? Chinatwon appears….what? huge (adj)pa

PG. 407 9. To be in the midst of it feels exciting. Verb? Subject? To be in the midst of it (noun inf. phrase) feels…

what? Exciting…noun or adj? PA

10. After a while, the surroundings become familiar. Verb? Subject? Surroundings become…what? Familiar…noun or adj? PA