Predicate Nouns and Adjectives

Complements

The Subject Complement

This is not something nice you say to a
subject.
The subject complement is a noun, pronoun,
or adjective that comes after a linking verb
and identify or describe the subject.
There are two kinds: Predicate Nouns and
Predicate Adjectives.

Remember Linking Verbs

The most common
linking verb is to be
I
am was
You
are were
He
is
was
We
are were
They
are were
Also: be, being, been

The following are

sometimes linking verbs
Appear Feel
Look
Seem
Sound
Taste
Become Grow
Remain Smell
Stay
Turn

Predicate Nouns
Direct Objects receives the action of the
action verb. But all sentences DO not have
action verbs!
SO we are learning that a Predicate Noun
is linked to the Subject by a linking verb.
Remember that linking verbs act like equals
signs. The Subject = Predicate Noun

Mrs. Lockwood is my L.Arts

teacher.
Subject complement dont tell me nice
things!

Examples

Jim is my youth pastor.

He is a really nice guy.
At first he seemed to be a nerd.
He has been a student in seminary for years.
However, he soon became our friend.
Jim will always be an important person in
my life.

Things to know
A Predicate Noun is always a Noun (obviously).
A Predicate Noun will never come inside a
prepositional phrase.
Unless it is a question, the Predicate Noun will
always come after the linking verb: SubjectLinking Verb-Predicate Noun
Predicate Nouns always use Subject pronouns (not
object pronouns) I, he, she, we, they, who

Practice
Label the PN

My school is Trafford Middle School.

Our class is a collection of all types of kids.
Some kids are skaters.
Some kids seem to be skaters but are
preppies.
Other kids have always been rap fans.
Two kids are country music types.
They are nice.

Practice
Label the PN

My school is Trafford Middle School.

The class is a collection of all types of kids.
Some kids are skaters.
Some kids seem to be skaters but are
preppies.
Other kids have always been rap fans.
Two kids are country music types.
They are nice. (None)

How come nice is not a PN?

Nice is an adjective.
A Predicate Noun must be a Noun.
Nice is a Predicate Adjective.

Predicate Adjective
A Predicate Adjective is similar to a Predicate
Noun in that it always comes after a Linking Verb.
The Predicate Adjective is always an Adjective.
The PA describes/modifies the Subject.
Since a Linking Verb acts like an equals sign,
Subject = Predicate Adjective
You will not have a PN and a PA next to each
other!

Examples

Sarah is cool.
Before this year, she seemed really shy.
Her voice sounds really soft and quiet.
However, her guitar playing has become
loud.
She is awfully talented with her guitar.
Some day she will be a famous musician.

How to Label
When labeling Subject Complements:
Label all Prepositional Phrases first (or even
cross out)
Label the Subject
Find the Verb. Is it an Action Verb (AV) or a
Linking Verb (LV)
If it is a Linking Verb, what word is the Subject
being linked to?
Is that word a Noun (PN) or an Adjective (PA)?

Practice

My favorite basketball team is the Lakers.

They were awesome last year.
This year they seem distracted.
During the championship they will be
victorious.
Hopefully, they are the best team again.
They should win their division at least.

Practice: PN or PA

My favorite basketball team is the Lakers.

They were awesome last year.
This year they seem distracted.
During the championship they will be
victorious.
Hopefully, they are the best team again.
They should win their division at least. (None)

More Practice

The Clippers are my other favorite team.

They are not very good.
However, their games are so exciting.
Their players have grown very skillful.
Their best players are rookies and sophomores.
They dunk the ball really well.
Who is your favorite?

More Practice: PN or PA

The Clippers are my other favorite team.

The are not very good.
However, their games are so exciting.
Their players have grown very skillful.
Their best players are rookies and sophomores.
They dunk the ball really well. (None)
Who is your favorite?

Practice Labeling PA s, PN s, and DO s

Yoda is very talented with the force.

He is the oldest Jedi.
He may be short, but he is tough!
Yoda used to be a puppet in the old movies.
Now, they make him on a computer.
In this movie, Yoda has a lightsaber.
His lightsaber is short and green.
Why does he need a cane?

Practice Labeling PA s, PN s and DO s

Spongebob is big and yellow.
His friend is Patrick.
Patrick looks kinda funny today.

Practice Labeling PA s, PN s and DO s

Spongebob is big and yellow.
His friend is Patrick.
Patrick looks kinda funny today.

Practice Labeling PA s, PN s, and DO s

Yoda is very talented with the force.

He is the oldest Jedi.
He may be short, but he is tough!
Yoda used to be a puppet in the old movies.
Now, they make him on a computer.
In this movie, Yoda has a lightsaber.
His lightsaber is short and green.
Why does he need a cane?