What is a predicate adjective? In this article, we will explore what a predicate adjective is, how it differs from other adjectives, and how to use it correctly in sentences.
Predicate Adjective – Picture
Contents
What Is A Predicate Adjective?
Definition
A Predicate Adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject of the sentence. It is also known as a predicative adjective. A linking verb is a verb that connects the subject of the sentence to a word or phrase that describes it. The most common linking verb is “to be,” but other examples include “seem,” “become,” “appear,” and “feel.”
Examples
Here are a few examples of sentences that contain predicate adjectives:
- The soup smells delicious. (“delicious” describes “soup”)
- The flowers look beautiful. (“beautiful” describes “flowers”)
- The water feels cold. (“cold” describes “water”)
In each of these examples, the predicate adjective follows the linking verb and describes the subject of the sentence.
Predicate adjectives are different from attributive adjectives, which come before the noun they modify. For example, in the sentence “The red car is fast,” “red” is an attributive adjective that describes “car,” while “fast” is a predicate adjective that describes the subject of the sentence, which is “car.”
Predicate adjectives are also different from predicate nouns, which are nouns that follow a linking verb and rename the subject of the sentence. For example, in the sentence “She is a doctor,” “doctor” is a predicate noun that renames “she.”
Predicate Adjectives vs Predicate Nominatives
Definition
Predicate adjectives and predicate nominatives are two types of complements that are used in sentences with linking verbs. A linking verb is a verb that connects the subject of the sentence to a predicate nominative or predicate adjective.
A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that renames or identifies the subject of the sentence. On the other hand, a predicate adjective is an adjective that describes or modifies the subject of the sentence.
Examples
Here are some examples that illustrate the difference between predicate adjectives and predicate nominatives:
- The flowers in the garden are beautiful. (In this sentence, “beautiful” is a predicate adjective that describes the flowers.)
- The flowers in the garden are roses. (In this sentence, “roses” is a predicate nominative that renames the flowers.)
- She looks happy. (In this sentence, “happy” is a predicate adjective that describes the subject, “she.”)
- She is a teacher. (In this sentence, “teacher” is a predicate nominative that identifies the subject, “she.”)
Comparison
The table below summarizes the main differences between predicate adjectives and predicate nominatives:
| Predicate Adjective | Predicate Nominative |
|---|---|
| Describes or modifies the subject | Renames or identifies the subject |
| Always an adjective | Can be a noun or pronoun |
| Follows a linking verb | Follows a linking verb |
| Examples: beautiful, happy, tall | Examples: teacher, roses, John |
In summary, predicate adjectives and predicate nominatives are both types of complements that are used with linking verbs. While predicate adjectives describe or modify the subject, predicate nominatives rename or identify the subject. It is important to use the correct type of complement in a sentence to ensure clarity and accuracy.
Identifying Predicate Adjectives in a Sentence
When it comes to identifying predicate adjectives in a sentence, there are certain rules to follow. This section will outline these rules and provide some examples to help you better understand predicate adjectives.
Rules
A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject of a sentence. The linking verb connects the subject to the predicate adjective. Here are some rules to follow when identifying predicate adjectives:
- The predicate adjective comes after the linking verb.
- The predicate adjective describes the subject of the sentence.
- The linking verb can be any form of “to be” (am, is, are, was, were, etc.) or other verbs that express a state of being (feel, look, seem, appear, etc.).
- The predicate adjective must agree with the subject in number and case.
Examples
Here are some examples of predicate adjectives in sentences:
- The flowers are beautiful. (“beautiful” is the predicate adjective that describes the subject “flowers”)
- She felt happy. (“happy” is the predicate adjective that describes the subject “she”)
- They seem tired. (“tired” is the predicate adjective that describes the subject “they”)
It’s important to note that not all adjectives in a sentence are predicate adjectives. Sometimes, an adjective may come before a noun and modify it (e.g. “the red car”). In this case, the adjective is an attributive adjective, not a predicate adjective.
In addition, sometimes a subject complement may be a noun phrase instead of an adjective. A subject complement is a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and renames or describes the subject. For example, in the sentence “He is a doctor,” “doctor” is a subject complement, but it is a noun, not an adjective.
Overall, by following these rules and examples, you can easily identify predicate adjectives in a sentence.
Functions of Predicate Adjectives
Meaning and Implication
A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject. It is a type of subject complement that provides more information about the subject. The linking verb connects the subject to the predicate adjective, indicating a state of being or condition.
The function of a predicate adjective is to provide additional information about the subject and to modify it. It can describe the subject’s appearance, emotions, qualities, or characteristics. Predicate adjectives can also imply a certain state or condition of the subject.
Real-life Examples
Here are some real-life examples that demonstrate the functions of predicate adjectives:
- State: She is happy. In this example, the predicate adjective “happy” describes the subject’s state of being.
- Action: The cake smells delicious. Here, the predicate adjective “delicious” describes the action of the cake’s smell.
- Main Verb: He seems tired. The predicate adjective “tired” modifies the main verb “seems” and describes the subject’s condition.
- Direct Object: I found the movie boring. In this example, the predicate adjective “boring” describes the direct object “movie.”
- Stay/Remain: The weather remains cloudy. Here, the predicate adjective “cloudy” describes the state of the weather.
- Compound Predicate: She is smart and talented. In this example, the predicate adjectives “smart” and “talented” describe the subject’s qualities in a compound predicate.
- Adverb: The car looks incredibly new. The predicate adjective “new” is modified by the adverb “incredibly” to describe the subject’s appearance.
- Imply/Mean: His silence implied guilt. Here, the predicate adjective “guilt” implies a certain state of the subject.
- Rest: The baby slept peacefully. In this example, the predicate adjective “peacefully” describes the subject’s rest.
- Appear: The flowers appear beautiful. Here, the predicate adjective “beautiful” describes the appearance of the subject.
- Sound/Taste/Smell/Feel: The music sounds amazing. The food tastes delicious. The perfume smells wonderful. The fabric feels soft. In these examples, the predicate adjectives describe the subject’s sensory qualities.
- Grow/Keep: The plant grows tall. The cat keeps meowing. Here, the predicate adjectives describe the subject’s growth and behavior, respectively.
In summary, predicate adjectives are an important part of language that provide additional information about the subject. They can describe the subject’s state, appearance, emotions, qualities, and characteristics. Real-life examples demonstrate the various functions of predicate adjectives in a sentence.