Types of Subject Complements

Subject Complement

Types of Subject Complements

• Predicate Nominative:

  • A noun or pronoun that renames the subject.
  • Follows linking verbs (e.g., is, are, was).
  • Example: "My brother is a doctor." (doctor renames brother)

• Predicate Adjective:

  • An adjective that describes the subject.
  • Also follows linking verbs.
  • Example: "The flowers are beautiful." (beautiful describes flowers)

Structure in Sentences

• Position:

  • Typically placed after the verb in a sentence.
  • Must follow linking verbs, not action verbs.

• Example Structure:

  • Subject + Linking Verb + Subject Complement
  • Example: "The sky is blue." (sky = subject, is = linking verb, blue = subject complement)

Role in Grammar

• Clarifies Meaning:

  • Provides additional information about the subject.

• Completes the Sentence:

  • Essential for the overall meaning, especially in sentences with linking verbs.

• Identifies Subject Characteristics:

  • Helps in identifying or qualifying the subject's state or identity.

Subject Complement

• A subject complement provides additional details about the subject.
• Subject complements are used with linking verbs, not action verbs.
• Linking verbs connect the subject with a word that renames or describes it.
• Linking verbs include verbs like "is," "are," "was," "were," "seems," "becomes," "feels," and "tastes."

Types of Subject Complements

• Predicate Nominative:
  • A noun or pronoun that renames or identifies the subject.
  • Example: "My sister is a teacher." (teacher renames sister).
• Predicate Adjective:
  • An adjective that describes the subject.
  • Example: "My dog is happy. " (happy describes dog)

Structure in Sentences

• Subject complements come after the linking verb in a sentence.
• Example: "The book looks interesting." (interesting describes book)

Role in Grammar

• Subject Complements add further information to the subject of the sentence.
• They are essential for completing and making sense of the sentence.
• Subject complements identify the characteristics, state, or identity of the subject.

Subject Complements

• Subject complements provide extra information about the subject of a sentence.
• They are used with linking verbs, not action verbs.

Types of Subject Complements

• Predicative Nominative (Predicate Noun): Renames or identifies the subject. Example: "She is a doctor." (doctor is the predicate noun)
• Predicative Adjective: Describes the subject. Example: "The flowers are beautiful." (beautiful is the predicative adjective)

Sentence Structure

• Basic Structure: Subject + Linking Verb + Subject Complement. Example: "The cat (subject) is (linking verb) playful (subject complement)."

• Common Linking Verbs:

  • be (is, am, are, was, were)
  • become
  • seem

• Placement: The subject complement comes after the linking verb and describes the subject.

Common Errors

• Incorrect Verb Use: Don't use action verbs instead of linking verbs. Example of error: "She runs happy." (should be "She is happy.")
• Confusion with Objects: Subject complements describe the subject, while direct objects receive the action of the verb. Example of error: "The teacher made the student a better writer." (better writer is a subject complement)
• Missing Linking Verb: Don't omit the linking verb. Example of error: "She a scientist." (should be "She is a scientist.")
• Incorrect Noun/Adjective Use: Use the correct word type (noun or adjective) based on the sentence structure. Example of error: "He is a tall." (should be "He is tall.")