Predicate Nouns and

Predicate Adjectives

Predicate nouns are a certain kind of nouns. Predicate adjectives are a certain kind of adjectives.

Before we go into them let's have a look at a few definitions:

1

Subject

2

Predicate

4

Predicate

Adjective

5

Exercises

6

Answers

3

Predicate Noun

Subject = the person or thing that performs the action, or about which something is stated.

Examples of SUBJECTS:

The shoe is beautiful. They play together often.

Janet is a good student.

Predicate = the part of a sentence that makes a statement about the subject.

("Predicate" is also a verb that means "to state something.")

Examples of PREDICATES:

Angie is watering the plants. He is very strong.

This dress costs too much.

Predicate Noun

A predicate noun is also called a predicate nominative. A predicate noun has a dual function in a sentence. Following is an explanation of the predicate noun and some examples.

A predicate noun is a single noun or a noun phrase that renames the subject of a sentence and follows a form of the verb “to be” or another linking verb. Forms of the verb “to be” include: is, was, am, are, be, being, been, has been, may be, and were. Other verbs that may be linking verbs or action verbs include: smell, taste, feel, sound, grow, seem, remain, become, continue, appear, turn, and stay.

It answers the question: what is the subject?

Examples of sentences with the predicate nouns underlined are:

He is a great singer.

New York and London are cities.

She will become a genious.

John used to be the manager.

I am a teacher.

Liz stayed an actress.

He is my dad.

She remains my best friend.

Mr. Smith is a doctor.

My son became a professional soccer player.

Mary Smith may be our next president.

The children seemed excited about Christmas.

J. K. Rowling is an excellent author.

Wind turbines are an alternative source of power.

Pavarotti was a great singer.

For the next twenty years, we remained friends.

A predicate noun is also called a completer, or complement, because it completes the verb. The verb in this case is called an intransitive verb and must be followed by a noun or noun phrase. This noun or noun phrase completes the meaning of the sentence. Every sentence has a subject and a predicate, so the intransitive verb and the predicate noun make up the predicate of the sentence. 

Predicate Adjective

Since you now understand predicate nouns, you may be interested to learn a bit about predicate adjectives. Adjectives modify nouns, which includes describing them and giving more information about them, like their composition, their origin, your opinion of them, and their purpose.A predicate adjective is very similar to a predicate noun in that it completes the predicate and follows an intransitive verb. These are verbs like: am, is, was, were, has been, are, smell, remain, seem, sound, stay, continue, become, and grow.

Instead of renaming the subject, it modifies it / or describes it.

Here are some sentences with the predicate adjective underlined.

Antarctica is cold, barren, and frozen.

My recipe is French.

The dancers were agile, energetic, and beautiful.

During the storm, driving became difficult.

Her performance was phenomenal.

She was sad, alone, and miserable.

We are under-paid.

Her dress is blue.

You are not hungry.

David has become wiser.

They seem a bit tired today.

Her singing sounds lovely.

Jane used to be shorter.

The box seems too big.

You look great.

Predicate Noun / Predicate Adjective Recognition Practice

Directions: Make three columns on the paper on your computer desk.  Mark the first column, "subject," the second column, "verb," and the third column, "predicate noun (PN) or predicate adjective (PA).”  Remember that the predicate noun will rename the subject; the predicate adjective will describe the subject.  Study the examples below.  A predicate noun or predicate adjective will always follow a "linking verb."  See the verb list below.

Being Verbs (sometimes linking)

Other Linking Verbs (sometimes action verbs)

is been appear seem

am being become remain

are   feel smell

was   grow sound

were   look taste

Examples:

Mr. Smith was a teacher at our Junior High.Subject: Mr. Smith      Verb: was      PN/PA: teacher (PN)

The flowers seemed dead.Subject: flowers      Verb: seemed      PN/PA: dead (PA)

Exercise 1 Directions:Follow the examples above and work on the following sentences.

1. Ginger is president of the student council.

2. Jim is taller than his brother.

3. The girls were happy to help me.

4. Stephanie has been a cheerleader.

5. Joe is a student at Smith High School

6. Mrs. Johnson is the principal of our school.

7. My favorite subject is Math.

8. Swimming is fun.

9. Helen is my neighbor.

10. The little child seemed excited.

Exercise 2:Is the word between asterisks a predicate noun, a predicate adjective or neither? On a separate piece of paper, write your answer and then go to the answer page,

1. Joe is my *husband*.

Predicate noun

Predicate adjective

Neither

a.

c.

b.

2. She is a wonderful *mother*.

Predicate noun

Predicate adjective

Neither

a.

c.

b.

Predicate noun

Predicate adjective

Neither

a.

c.

b.

Predicate noun

Predicate adjective

Neither

a.

c.

b.

Predicate noun

Predicate adjective

Neither

a.

c.

b.

3. He can get really *tired*.

4. My hat isn't *green*.

5. Daniel is a *lawyer*.

Predicate noun

Predicate adjective

Neither

a.

c.

b.

Predicate noun

Predicate adjective

Neither

a.

c.

b.

Predicate noun

Predicate adjective

Neither

a.

c.

b.

6. I bought a new *bag*.

7. Lisa has become quite *successful*.

8. He dropped the *ball*.

Predicate noun

Predicate adjective

Neither

a.

c.

b.

Predicate noun

Predicate adjective

Neither

a.

c.

b.

9. She got *angry*.

10. I am a good *pilot*.

Exercise 3:Is the word between asterisks a predicate noun, a predicate adjective or neither? On a separate piece of paper, write your answer and then go to the answer page,

1. They are very good *friends*.

Predicate noun

Predicate adjective

Neither

a.

c.

b.

2. Your sister is *lovely*.

Predicate noun

Predicate adjective

Neither

a.

c.

b.

Predicate noun

Predicate adjective

Neither

a.

c.

b.

Predicate noun

Predicate adjective

Neither

a.

c.

b.

Predicate noun

Predicate adjective

Neither

a.

c.

b.

3. Microsoft is a *company*.

4. He remained *cool*.

5. She will make a good *partner*.

Predicate noun

Predicate adjective

Neither

a.

c.

b.

Predicate noun

Predicate adjective

Neither

a.

c.

b.

Predicate noun

Predicate adjective

Neither

a.

c.

b.

6. I have found a *hat*.

7. This sounds *great*!

8. James is a good *guy*.

Predicate noun

Predicate adjective

Neither

a.

c.

b.

Predicate noun

Predicate adjective

Neither

a.

c.

b.

9. She doesn't get *older*.

10. She gave him a *present*.

Predicate Noun/Predicate Adjective Recognition Practice – Answers. Exercise 1

  Subject Verb Predicate Noun/Adjective (PN/PA)

1. Ginger is president (PN)

2. Jim is taller (PA)

3. girls were happy (PA)

4. Stephanie has been cheerleader (PN)

5. Joe is student (PN)

6. Mrs. Johnson is principal (PN)

7. subject is math (PN)

8. swimming is fun (PA)

9. Helen is neighbor (PN)

10. child appeared excited (PA)

Answers for exercise 2.

1. A2. A3. B.4. B5. A.6. C.7. B.8. C.9. B.10. A.

Answers for exercise 3.

1. A.2. B.3. A.4. B.5. A.6. C.7. B.8. A.9. B.10. C.