Predicate Nominatives and Predicate Adjectives

A predicate nominative is...

• a word or word group that is in the predicate and that identifies the subject or refers to it.

• A predicate nominative is almost always a noun.

​Predicate Nominatives are only in sentences that contain a linking verb.

• Common linking verbs include is, was, will be, has been, could have been, appear, feel, grow, look, seem, smell, sound, and taste.

The predicate nominative names the subject of the sentence.

To find a predicate nominative:

1. Find the linking verb.

2. Find the subject.

3. Ask yourself [subject] [verb] what?

4. The answer is the predicate nominative.

​In the sentence:

Snakes are reptiles.

Verb = are

Subject = Snakes

Snakes are what?

Predicate Nominative = reptiles.

If the sentence is a question:

1. Turn the question into a statement.

2. Find the linking verb.

3. Find the subject.

4. Ask yourself [subject] [verb] what?

5. The answer is the predicate nominative.

The question: Will Mrs. Smith be our teacher?

Statement form: Mrs. Smith will be our teacher.

Verb = will be

Subject = Mrs. Smith

Mrs. Smith will be what?

Predicate Nominative = teacher

Well...it's an adjective (modifying a noun or pronoun).

• But instead of being next to the noun it is describing, predicate adjectives are part of the predicate.

• Predicate adjectives describe the subject of a sentence through a linking verb.

​Predicate Adjectives complete the meaning of a linking verb.

• Common linking verbs include is, was, will be, has been, could have been, appear, feel, grow, look, seem, smell, sound, and taste.

• You cannot have a Predicate Adjective with an action verb.

The predicate adjective describes the subject of the sentence.

To find a predicate adjective:

1. Find the linking verb.

2. Find the subject.

3. Ask yourself [subject] [verb] what?

4. The answer is the predicate adjective.

Yes, these are the same steps as a predicate nominative. So how do you tell the difference? Well, predicate adjectives have to be an adjective, and predicate nominatives are nouns.

Almost always a noun

Predicate Nominative

Must be an adjective

Predicate Adjective