Adjectives are a fundamental component of the English language, providing additional details and clarifying nouns and pronouns. When we talk about adjectives, one of the key concepts to understand is their positioning within a sentence. Adjectives can be placed either in an attributive position (before the noun) or in a predicative position (after a linking verb). In this article, we will focus on adjectives in the predicative position.
Understanding Predicative Adjectives
Predicative adjectives are used after a linking verb to describe the subject of the sentence. Linking verbs, sometimes called copular verbs, include verbs like “to be,” “seem,” “become,” “appear,” “feel,” “look,” “sound,” “taste,” and “smell.” These verbs connect the subject of the sentence to the adjective that describes it.
For example:
– The sky is blue.
– She seems happy.
– The soup tastes delicious.
In each of these sentences, the adjective follows a linking verb and provides more information about the subject.
Common Linking Verbs
To master predicative adjectives, it is crucial to become familiar with common linking verbs. Here are some of the most frequently used ones:
1. **To Be**: The most common linking verb, used in various forms (is, am, are, was, were, been, being).
– The room is bright.
– They are excited.
2. **Seem**: Indicates an impression or appearance.
– He seems tired.
– The idea seems interesting.
3. **Become**: Indicates a change of state or condition.
– She became nervous.
– The weather became cold.
4. **Appear**: Similar to “seem,” but often used with a more visual context.
– The painting appears old.
– He appears confident.
5. **Feel**: Describes a physical or emotional state.
– I feel happy.
– The fabric feels soft.
6. **Look**: Describes visual appearance.
– The flowers look beautiful.
– You look tired.
7. **Sound**: Describes auditory characteristics.
– The music sounds melodious.
– His voice sounds hoarse.
8. **Taste**: Describes flavor.
– The cake tastes sweet.
– The soup tastes salty.
9. **Smell**: Describes scent.
– The roses smell fragrant.
– The garbage smells awful.
Functions of Predicative Adjectives
Predicative adjectives serve several functions in a sentence. They can describe physical characteristics, emotional states, sensory experiences, and more. Let’s explore some of these functions in detail.
Describing Physical Characteristics
Predicative adjectives can describe the physical characteristics of the subject. For example:
– The house is large.
– His hair is curly.
In these sentences, the adjectives “large” and “curly” provide specific information about the house and the hair, respectively.
Expressing Emotional States
Predicative adjectives are often used to express the emotional states of the subject. For example:
– She feels sad.
– They are excited.
Here, “sad” and “excited” describe how the subject is feeling emotionally.
Describing Sensory Experiences
Sensory experiences, such as how something looks, sounds, tastes, feels, or smells, can also be conveyed using predicative adjectives. For example:
– The cookies smell delicious.
– The music sounds loud.
In these examples, “delicious” and “loud” describe the sensory experiences associated with the cookies and the music.
Predicate Adjective vs. Predicate Nominative
It is essential to distinguish between predicate adjectives and predicate nominatives. Both follow linking verbs, but they serve different functions. A predicate adjective describes the subject, while a predicate nominative renames the subject.
For example:
– Predicate Adjective: The sky is blue. (“blue” describes the sky)
– Predicate Nominative: She is a teacher. (“teacher” renames “she”)
Understanding this distinction will help you use predicative adjectives correctly and recognize them in sentences.
Special Cases and Exceptions
While the basic rules for predicative adjectives are straightforward, there are some special cases and exceptions to be aware of.
Adjectives That Are Only Predicative
Some adjectives are used exclusively in the predicative position and cannot be used attributively. For example:
– The child is asleep (Correct)
– The asleep child (Incorrect)
Other adjectives in this category include “afraid,” “alive,” “alone,” “aware,” “content,” “glad,” “ill,” and “well.”
Adjectives That Change Meaning
Certain adjectives change their meaning depending on whether they are used attributively or predicatively. For example:
– Attributive: She is a late student (meaning she arrived late).
– Predicative: She is late (meaning she is deceased).
Another example is the adjective “certain”:
– Attributive: A certain answer (meaning a particular answer).
– Predicative: I am certain (meaning I am sure).
Being aware of these nuances will enhance your understanding and usage of adjectives in different contexts.
Comparative and Superlative Forms
Predicative adjectives can also appear in their comparative and superlative forms to compare two or more subjects.
Comparative Form
The comparative form of an adjective is used to compare two subjects. It is usually formed by adding “-er” to the adjective or using “more” before the adjective.
For example:
– She is happier than her sister.
– This book is more interesting than that one.
In these sentences, “happier” and “more interesting” are comparative forms of the adjectives “happy” and “interesting.”
Superlative Form
The superlative form of an adjective is used to compare three or more subjects, indicating the highest degree of the quality. It is typically formed by adding “-est” to the adjective or using “most” before the adjective.
For example:
– She is the happiest in her class.
– This is the most interesting book I’ve read.
In these sentences, “happiest” and “most interesting” are superlative forms of the adjectives “happy” and “interesting.”
Practice and Application
To master the use of predicative adjectives, regular practice and application are essential. Here are some exercises and tips to help you improve:
Identify Predicative Adjectives
Read sentences and identify the predicative adjectives. For example:
– The water is cold.
– She looks tired.
In these sentences, “cold” and “tired” are predicative adjectives.
Create Your Own Sentences
Practice creating your own sentences using predicative adjectives. Try to use a variety of linking verbs and adjectives. For example:
– The movie seems boring.
– His voice sounds melodious.
Transform Attributive to Predicative
Take sentences with attributive adjectives and transform them into sentences with predicative adjectives. For example:
– Attributive: The happy dog is playing.
– Predicative: The dog is happy.
Comparative and Superlative Practice
Create sentences using the comparative and superlative forms of predicative adjectives. For example:
– Comparative: She is taller than her brother.
– Superlative: She is the tallest in her family.
Conclusion
Adjectives in the predicative position play a crucial role in enhancing our understanding of the subjects they describe. By following linking verbs, these adjectives provide essential details about physical characteristics, emotional states, and sensory experiences. Mastering the use of predicative adjectives involves understanding their functions, recognizing common linking verbs, and practicing their application in various contexts.
Remember that while the rules for predicative adjectives are generally straightforward, there are special cases and exceptions to be aware of. Some adjectives are used exclusively in the predicative position, and others may change meaning depending on their position in the sentence. Additionally, comparative and superlative forms add another layer of complexity but also offer more expressive possibilities.
To become proficient in using predicative adjectives, regular practice is key. Engage in exercises that involve identifying, creating, and transforming sentences with predicative adjectives. By doing so, you will not only improve your grammatical accuracy but also enhance your overall communication skills in English.
In summary, understanding and effectively using adjectives in the predicative position is an essential aspect of mastering the English language. Whether you are describing a serene landscape, expressing your excitement about a new opportunity, or comparing the tastes of different dishes, predicative adjectives will help you convey your thoughts more vividly and accurately. So, embrace the journey of learning and practicing these versatile and descriptive components of the English language.
