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Questions and Answers
What is a predicate nominative?
What is a predicate nominative?
In which sentence is the subject complement a predicate adjective?
In which sentence is the subject complement a predicate adjective?
What is the correct structure of a sentence that includes a subject complement?
What is the correct structure of a sentence that includes a subject complement?
What role does a subject complement play in a sentence?
What role does a subject complement play in a sentence?
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Which example correctly demonstrates the use of a linking verb with a subject complement?
Which example correctly demonstrates the use of a linking verb with a subject complement?
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Explain the difference between a predicative nominative and a predicative adjective.
Explain the difference between a predicative nominative and a predicative adjective.
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Identify a linking verb in the sentence: 'The soup tastes delicious.'
Identify a linking verb in the sentence: 'The soup tastes delicious.'
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What common error occurs when the linking verb is omitted in a sentence?
What common error occurs when the linking verb is omitted in a sentence?
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Provide an example of a sentence that incorrectly uses an action verb instead of a linking verb.
Provide an example of a sentence that incorrectly uses an action verb instead of a linking verb.
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Why is it incorrect to say, 'He is a tall'?
Why is it incorrect to say, 'He is a tall'?
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Study Notes
Subject Complement
Types of Subject Complements
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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)
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Predicate Adjective:
- An adjective that describes the subject.
- Also follows linking verbs.
- Example: "The flowers are beautiful." (beautiful describes flowers)
Structure in Sentences
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Position:
- Typically placed after the verb in a sentence.
- Must follow linking verbs, not action verbs.
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Example Structure:
- Subject + Linking Verb + Subject Complement
- Example: "The sky is blue." (sky = subject, is = linking verb, blue = subject complement)
Role in Grammar
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Clarifies Meaning:
- Provides additional information about the subject.
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Completes the Sentence:
- Essential for the overall meaning, especially in sentences with linking verbs.
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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
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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)."
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Common Linking Verbs:
- be (is, am, are, was, were)
- become
- seem
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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.")
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Description
Explore the different types of subject complements in English grammar. Learn about predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives, their roles, structures, and examples. This quiz will help you understand how subject complements clarify and complete sentences.
