key term - Predicate nominative

Definition

A predicate nominative is a noun or noun phrase that follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject of the sentence. This term plays a crucial role in understanding how subjects relate to their complements, specifically in sentences where the subject is being described or defined by a noun that comes after the verb.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Predicate nominatives can be simple nouns or more complex noun phrases that give more detail about the subject.
2. They are used exclusively with linking verbs such as 'is', 'are', 'was', and 'were'.
3. Identifying a predicate nominative helps clarify the relationship between the subject and what is being said about it.
4. In sentences with predicate nominatives, both the subject and the predicate nominative must agree in number.
5. Common examples of predicate nominatives include words like 'teacher', 'president', or 'friend' when they follow a linking verb.

Review Questions

• How does a predicate nominative function within a sentence, and what is its relationship with the linking verb?
  • A predicate nominative functions by renaming or identifying the subject of a sentence after a linking verb. It connects to the subject through the linking verb, which does not express action but instead links the subject to additional information. For example, in the sentence 'She is a doctor,' 'doctor' serves as the predicate nominative that tells us what 'she' is.
• In what ways can you distinguish between a predicate nominative and other types of complements within a sentence?
  • To distinguish between a predicate nominative and other types of complements, look for whether the word following the linking verb renames or identifies the subject. If it provides information that helps define who or what the subject is, it's likely a predicate nominative. In contrast, an object complement would provide information about an object in sentences that do not use linking verbs.
• Evaluate how understanding predicate nominatives can enhance your overall grasp of sentence structure and grammar.
  • Understanding predicate nominatives enhances your grasp of sentence structure and grammar by clarifying how different components work together to convey meaning. Recognizing how they relate to subjects via linking verbs allows for better analysis of sentence forms and helps identify grammatical roles. Additionally, this knowledge enables more effective communication, ensuring clarity in how subjects are defined within sentences.

Related terms

linking verb:

A verb that connects the subject of a sentence to a subject complement, rather than expressing action.

subject complement:

A word or phrase that follows a linking verb and provides additional information about the subject.

subject:

The noun or pronoun that performs the action or is described in a sentence.