Predicate Nominatives
* Definition: A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that renames or identifies the subject of a sentence. It follows a linking verb (like "is," "are," "was," "were," "seems," "becomes," etc.).
* Function: The predicate nominative explains or clarifies the subject, giving us more information about what the subject *is*.
* Example:
* "My best friend is a doctor." (Doctor renames the subject "friend")
* "The winner of the contest was she." (She renames the subject "winner")
Predicate Adjectives
* Definition: A predicate adjective describes or modifies the subject of a sentence. It also follows a linking verb.
* Function: The predicate adjective tells us something about the quality, characteristic, or state of the subject.
* Example:
* "The cake is delicious." (Delicious describes the subject "cake")
* "The flowers smell sweet." (Sweet describes the subject "flowers")
Key Differences
| Feature | Predicate Nominative | Predicate Adjective |
|---|---|---|
| Part of Speech | Noun or pronoun | Adjective |
| Function | Renames or identifies the subject | Describes or modifies the subject |
| Example | "The winner is John." | "The cake is delicious." |
How to Distinguish Them
* Ask "What is the subject?" If the answer is a noun or pronoun, it's a predicate nominative.
* Ask "What is the subject like?" If the answer describes the subject, it's a predicate adjective.
Important Note:
Sometimes, it can be tricky to differentiate, especially if the predicate nominative is a noun that can also function as an adjective. For example, "The car is a wreck." In this case, "wreck" renames the car, making it a predicate nominative.
Let me know if you'd like more examples or have any further questions!