Section 1
Predicate Adjectives
Definition
A predicate adjective is an adjective that is in the predicate and that describes the subject.
Explanation
Think of a predicate adjective as a special describing word that follows a linking verb (like is, seems, feels, or looks). Instead of being right next to the noun it describes, it's in the predicate part of the sentence, but it always points back to describe the subject. Sometimes, you can have more than one, which is called a compound predicate adjective!
Examples
- The soup smells delicious. [The adjective delicious follows the linking verb smells and describes the subject soup.]
- Are the students ready? [The adjective ready follows the linking verb Are and describes the subject students.]
- The kittens were tiny and playful. [The adjectives tiny and playful form a compound predicate adjective describing the subject kittens.]
- How bright that star is! [The adjective bright describes the subject star and follows the linking verb is.]