Learn on PengiElements of Language, 3rd CourseChapter 2: The Parts of a Sentence: Subject, Predicate, Complement

Lesson 2: Complements: Predicate Nominatives and Predicate Adjectives

In this Grade 6 grammar lesson from Elements of Language, 3rd Course, students learn to identify predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives as two types of subject complements that follow linking verbs. Students practice recognizing how predicate nominatives rename or identify the subject and how predicate adjectives describe the subject, including compound predicate nominatives formed with multiple nouns or pronouns. The lesson includes guided exercises using statements and questions to help students locate and underline these complements in context.

Section 1

Predicate Nominative

Definition

A predicate nominative is a word or word group that is in the predicate and that identifies the subject or refers to it.

Explanation

Think of a predicate nominative as a re-namer! It pops up after a linking verb (like is, was, will be) and gives a new name or identity to the subject. To easily spot it in a question, try rearranging the sentence into a statement first—the predicate nominative will often be easier to find.

Examples

  • Sarah's new puppy is a beagle. (Beagle identifies the subject, puppy.)
  • The students with the winning science project are they. (They refers to the subject, students.)
  • Was the lead actor in the film he? (He refers to the subject, actor.)

Section 2

Compound Predicate Nominative

Definition

Two or more predicate nominatives of the same linking verb are called a compound predicate nominative.

Explanation

This is simply when a subject is identified by more than one noun or pronoun after a linking verb. Instead of one re-namer, you get a whole team! It's a list of nouns or pronouns that all point back to the subject, giving it multiple identities at once.

Examples

  • Her primary role models are scientists and inventors. (Scientists and inventors identify the subject, role models.)
  • The top graduates were Anna Kim and David Chen. (Anna Kim and David Chen identify the subject, graduates.)
  • The guests arriving were my grandma, sister, and niece. (Grandma, sister, and niece all identify the subject, guests.)

Section 3

Predicate Adjective

Definition

A predicate adjective is an adjective that is in the predicate and that modifies the subject.

Explanation

This handy adjective follows a linking verb (like feel, look, taste) and describes the subject. Instead of renaming the subject, it tells you more about its state or quality. Remember, an adjective is a describing word, and here, it's linked directly back to the subject.

Examples

  • The community swimming pool was crowded. (Crowded describes the subject, pool.)
  • Doesn't this new recipe seem complicated? (Complicated describes the subject, recipe.)
  • After the long hike, the entire team felt accomplished. (Accomplished describes the subject, team.)

Section 4

Compound Predicate Adjective

Definition

Two or more predicate adjectives that describe the same subject are called a compound predicate adjective.

Explanation

Just like its nominative cousin, this involves a list. A compound predicate adjective is a set of two or more adjectives that follow a linking verb. They all work together to modify the same subject, painting a more detailed and descriptive picture of it. It's description in stereo!

Examples

  • The new puppy is playful and energetic. (Playful and energetic both describe the subject, puppy.)
  • Is this soup too spicy or too bland? (Spicy and bland both describe the subject, soup.)
  • The stage performance was dramatic, moving, and beautiful. (Dramatic, moving, and beautiful all describe the subject, performance.)

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Chapter 2: The Parts of a Sentence: Subject, Predicate, Complement

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Subjects and Predicates

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  2. Lesson 2Current

    Lesson 2: Complements: Predicate Nominatives and Predicate Adjectives

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Complements: Direct and Indirect Objects

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Classifying Sentences by Purpose

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Lesson overview

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Section 1

Predicate Nominative

Definition

A predicate nominative is a word or word group that is in the predicate and that identifies the subject or refers to it.

Explanation

Think of a predicate nominative as a re-namer! It pops up after a linking verb (like is, was, will be) and gives a new name or identity to the subject. To easily spot it in a question, try rearranging the sentence into a statement first—the predicate nominative will often be easier to find.

Examples

  • Sarah's new puppy is a beagle. (Beagle identifies the subject, puppy.)
  • The students with the winning science project are they. (They refers to the subject, students.)
  • Was the lead actor in the film he? (He refers to the subject, actor.)

Section 2

Compound Predicate Nominative

Definition

Two or more predicate nominatives of the same linking verb are called a compound predicate nominative.

Explanation

This is simply when a subject is identified by more than one noun or pronoun after a linking verb. Instead of one re-namer, you get a whole team! It's a list of nouns or pronouns that all point back to the subject, giving it multiple identities at once.

Examples

  • Her primary role models are scientists and inventors. (Scientists and inventors identify the subject, role models.)
  • The top graduates were Anna Kim and David Chen. (Anna Kim and David Chen identify the subject, graduates.)
  • The guests arriving were my grandma, sister, and niece. (Grandma, sister, and niece all identify the subject, guests.)

Section 3

Predicate Adjective

Definition

A predicate adjective is an adjective that is in the predicate and that modifies the subject.

Explanation

This handy adjective follows a linking verb (like feel, look, taste) and describes the subject. Instead of renaming the subject, it tells you more about its state or quality. Remember, an adjective is a describing word, and here, it's linked directly back to the subject.

Examples

  • The community swimming pool was crowded. (Crowded describes the subject, pool.)
  • Doesn't this new recipe seem complicated? (Complicated describes the subject, recipe.)
  • After the long hike, the entire team felt accomplished. (Accomplished describes the subject, team.)

Section 4

Compound Predicate Adjective

Definition

Two or more predicate adjectives that describe the same subject are called a compound predicate adjective.

Explanation

Just like its nominative cousin, this involves a list. A compound predicate adjective is a set of two or more adjectives that follow a linking verb. They all work together to modify the same subject, painting a more detailed and descriptive picture of it. It's description in stereo!

Examples

  • The new puppy is playful and energetic. (Playful and energetic both describe the subject, puppy.)
  • Is this soup too spicy or too bland? (Spicy and bland both describe the subject, soup.)
  • The stage performance was dramatic, moving, and beautiful. (Dramatic, moving, and beautiful all describe the subject, performance.)

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 2: The Parts of a Sentence: Subject, Predicate, Complement

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Subjects and Predicates

    LearnPractice
  2. Lesson 2Current

    Lesson 2: Complements: Predicate Nominatives and Predicate Adjectives

    LearnPractice
  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Complements: Direct and Indirect Objects

    LearnPractice
  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Classifying Sentences by Purpose

    LearnPractice