Adjectives are an essential part of speech in the English language. They provide more detail about a noun, enhancing the description and making our sentences more vivid and precise. One of the positions in which adjectives can appear is the predicative position. This article aims to explore the concept of adjectives in the predicative position, how they function, and how they differ from their attributive counterparts.
Understanding Adjectives in Predicative Position
Adjectives in the predicative position come after a linking verb and describe the subject of the sentence. The most common linking verbs include “to be” (is, am, are, was, were), “seem,” “become,” “appear,” “feel,” “look,” “sound,” and “taste.” These verbs do not express an action but instead link the subject to a subject complement—often an adjective.
For example:
– The sky is blue.
– She seems happy.
– The food tastes delicious.
In these sentences, “blue,” “happy,” and “delicious” are adjectives in the predicative position, providing more information about the subject.
Attributive vs. Predicative Adjectives
To fully grasp the concept of predicative adjectives, it is helpful to compare them with attributive adjectives. Attributive adjectives appear directly before the nouns they modify, providing a description within the noun phrase.
For example:
– The blue sky.
– A happy girl.
– The delicious food.
In these sentences, “blue,” “happy,” and “delicious” are attributive adjectives, as they directly precede and modify the nouns “sky,” “girl,” and “food.”
The primary difference between attributive and predicative adjectives is their placement within the sentence. Attributive adjectives come before the noun they describe, while predicative adjectives follow a linking verb and describe the subject.
Examples of Adjectives in Predicative Position
To better understand how adjectives function in the predicative position, let’s look at a variety of examples.
1. The flowers are beautiful.
2. He feels tired.
3. The soup smells delicious.
4. The book seems interesting.
5. The weather is cold.
In each of these examples, the adjective follows a linking verb and describes the subject of the sentence, providing additional information about it.
Common Linking Verbs
Linking verbs play a crucial role in forming sentences with predicative adjectives. Here are some of the most common linking verbs:
– To be (is, am, are, was, were)
– Seem
– Become
– Appear
– Feel
– Look
– Sound
– Taste
– Smell
These verbs do not convey action but instead connect the subject to a description or state of being, often expressed through a predicative adjective.
Examples with Different Linking Verbs
Let’s examine some examples with various linking verbs to see how they work with predicative adjectives.
1. To be: The cake is delicious.
2. Seem: She seems excited.
3. Become: He became angry.
4. Appear: The sky appeared clear.
5. Feel: I feel happy.
6. Look: The dog looks tired.
7. Sound: The music sounds beautiful.
8. Taste: The soup tastes salty.
9. Smell: The flowers smell fragrant.
Each sentence features a linking verb followed by a predicative adjective, which provides a description or state of the subject.
Special Cases and Exceptions
While most adjectives can function in both attributive and predicative positions, there are some exceptions. Certain adjectives are typically used only in one position or the other.
Adjectives Used Predominantly in Predicative Position
Some adjectives are predominantly used in the predicative position and rarely appear attributively. Examples include:
– Afraid: She is afraid of spiders.
– Alive: The plant is alive.
– Asleep: The baby is asleep.
– Awake: He is awake.
– Ill: She feels ill.
Using these adjectives attributively would sound awkward or incorrect. For instance, “an afraid girl” or “an alive plant” are not standard English constructions.
Adjectives Used Predominantly in Attributive Position
Conversely, some adjectives are primarily used in the attributive position and are uncommon in the predicative position. Examples include:
– Main: The main reason.
– Mere: A mere coincidence.
– Utter: An utter failure.
– Chief: The chief cause.
Using these adjectives predicatively would also sound awkward or incorrect. For example, “the reason is main” or “the failure is utter” are not standard constructions.
Exercises and Practice
To reinforce your understanding of adjectives in the predicative position, try the following exercises.
Exercise 1: Identify the Predicative Adjective
In each sentence, identify the predicative adjective.
1. The cake is delicious.
2. She seems tired.
3. The sky looks clear.
4. He became angry.
5. The music sounds beautiful.
Exercise 2: Rewrite Sentences with Attributive Adjectives as Predicative Adjectives
Rewrite the following sentences, changing the attributive adjective to a predicative adjective.
1. The delicious cake.
2. The tired girl.
3. The clear sky.
4. The angry man.
5. The beautiful music.
Answers
Exercise 1:
1. Delicious
2. Tired
3. Clear
4. Angry
5. Beautiful
Exercise 2:
1. The cake is delicious.
2. The girl seems tired.
3. The sky appears clear.
4. The man became angry.
5. The music sounds beautiful.
Importance of Context
Understanding the context in which an adjective is used is crucial for determining whether it should be in the attributive or predicative position. Context helps clarify the meaning and ensures that the sentence conveys the intended message.
Contextual Examples
Consider the following examples where context determines the position of the adjective:
1. The happy child (Attributive: The adjective describes the child directly within the noun phrase.)
2. The child is happy (Predicative: The adjective follows a linking verb and describes the subject.)
Both sentences convey a similar meaning, but the structure and position of the adjective differ based on the context.
Conclusion
Adjectives in the predicative position play a vital role in providing descriptions and states of being within sentences. By following linking verbs, these adjectives offer essential information about the subject. Understanding the difference between attributive and predicative adjectives, recognizing common linking verbs, and practicing with exercises can help language learners master this aspect of English grammar. With consistent practice and attention to context, using adjectives in the predicative position will become second nature, enhancing both spoken and written communication.
