Identify linking verbs, predicate adjectives and predicate nouns

key notes :

1. Linking Verbs

  • Definition: A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence to a subject complement (predicate adjective or predicate noun).
  • Common Linking Verbs: Forms of “to be” (am, is, are, was, were, etc.), seem, become, appear, look, feel, taste, etc.
  • Example:
    • “She is a teacher.” (The verb “is” links the subject “She” to the predicate noun “teacher.”)

2. Predicate Adjectives

  • Definition: A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject.
  • How to Identify: The adjective will provide more information about the subject and will always come after the linking verb.
  • Example:
    • “The cake smells delicious.” (“Delicious” is a predicate adjective describing the subject “cake.”)

3. Predicate Nouns

  • Definition: A predicate noun (or predicate nominative) is a noun that follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject.
  • How to Identify: The noun follows the linking verb and gives more information about what the subject is.
  • Example:
    • “John is a doctor.” (“Doctor” is a predicate noun that renames the subject “John.”)

4. Difference Between Predicate Adjectives and Predicate Nouns

  • A predicate adjective describes the subject (usually an adjective).
  • A predicate noun renames the subject (usually a noun).

5. Example Sentences

  • Linking Verb with Predicate Adjective: “The weather seems cold.”
  • Linking Verb with Predicate Noun: “Her favorite color is blue.”

6. Practice Tip

  • To identify a linking verb, check if the word connects the subject to more information.
  • To identify a predicate adjective, check if it describes the subject.
  • To identify a predicate noun, check if it renames the subject.

7. Sentence Structure

  • Subject + Linking Verb + Predicate Adjective/Noun
  • Example: “The puppy is playful.” (Subject = “The puppy”, Linking verb = “is”, Predicate adjective = “playful”)
  • Example: “They are doctors.” (Subject = “They”, Linking verb = “are”, Predicate noun = “doctors”)

Let’s Practice! 🖊️