Identify linking verbs, predicate adjectives and predicate nouns

Key Notes:

Linking Verbs

  • Definition: Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a subject complement (either a predicate adjective or a predicate noun). They do not show action.
  • Common Linking Verbs: The most common linking verb is “to be” (am, is, are, was, were). Other examples include seem, become, appear, feel, look, taste, smell, and sound.
  • Usage: Linking verbs describe a state of being or condition rather than an action. For example:
    • Example: She is a talented artist. (Here, “is” links the subject “She” to the predicate noun “artist.”)

Predicate Adjectives

  • Definition: A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject.
  • Identification: Predicate adjectives can be identified by asking what the subject is like.
  • Examples:
    • Example: The soup tastes delicious. (In this sentence, “delicious” is the predicate adjective describing “soup.”)
    • Example: The students are excited. (Here, “excited” describes “students.”)

Predicate Nouns

  • Definition: A predicate noun (or predicate nominative) is a noun that follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject.
  • Identification: Predicate nouns can be identified by asking who or what the subject is.
  • Examples:
    • Example: My brother is a doctor. (In this case, “doctor” renames “brother.”)
    • Example: The winner of the contest was Samantha. (Here, “Samantha” identifies “the winner.”)

Practice Tips

  1. Identifying Linking Verbs: Look for verbs that connect the subject to a noun or adjective rather than showing an action.
  2. Finding Predicate Adjectives and Nouns:
    • Ask questions about the subject to find out more about it (What is it like? What is it?).
    • Identify the verb first; if it is a linking verb, the following word(s) may be a predicate adjective or noun.

Examples for Practice

  1. The flowers are beautiful. (Linking verb: are; Predicate adjective: beautiful)
  2. John is the captain of the team. (Linking verb: is; Predicate noun: captain)
  3. The sky seems cloudy. (Linking verb: seems; Predicate adjective: cloudy)

Let’s practice!🖊️