Predicate Nouns and Adjectives

So far…

• So far we have talked about objects that come after action verbs.

• We are now learning what comes after linking verbs.

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 Verbspages 43-45 in grammar book

• 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• SoundTaste• Become Grow• Remain Smell• Stay Turn

Predicate Nouns

• Earlier we learned that a direct object receives the action of the action verb.

• Now 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

Miss Raub is my English teacher.

=

Examples

• Miss Raub is my teacher.

• She is a really nice person.

• At first, I thought she was a nerd.

• She has been a teacher at Emmaus for ten years.

• Miss Raub soon became my favorite teacher.

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: subject-;inking verb-predicate noun

• Predicate nouns always use subject pronouns (not object pronouns): I, he, she, we, they, who

Practice: Label the PN

• My high school is Emmaus.• The student body is a collection of all types

of kids.• Some kids are skaters.• Some kids seem to be skaters but are

preppies.• Other kids are jocks.• Some kids are members of the band.• They are all nice.

Why isn’t nice a predicate noun?

• “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 poetry is awesome.

• She is awfully talented in writing.

• Some day she will be a famous writer.

How to Label

• When labeling subject complements:– 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 Hornets are my other favorite team.

• They are very good.

• 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?

• 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

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.