When learning English, one often comes across various grammatical terms that can initially seem quite daunting. One such term is “predicate adjectives.” Despite the technical-sounding name, predicate adjectives are actually straightforward and play a crucial role in English sentences. Understanding predicate adjectives will not only improve your grammar but also enhance your ability to convey more precise and descriptive information. In this article, we will delve deep into what predicate adjectives are, how they function, and how you can effectively use them in your writing and speech.
What Are Predicate Adjectives?
Predicate adjectives are adjectives that follow a linking verb and describe the subject of the sentence. Unlike attributive adjectives, which appear directly before the noun they modify (e.g., “a red apple”), predicate adjectives appear in the predicate part of the sentence. For example, in the sentence “The sky is blue,” “blue” is a predicate adjective that describes the subject “sky.”
Linking Verbs
To understand predicate adjectives fully, it’s essential to grasp the concept of linking verbs. Linking verbs are verbs that connect the subject of a sentence to a subject complement, which can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective. Common linking verbs include forms of “to be” (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been), become, seem, appear, feel, look, sound, taste, and smell.
For example:
– “She is happy.”
– “The soup tastes delicious.”
– “He seems tired.”
In each of these sentences, the linking verb connects the subject to a predicate adjective that describes or modifies it.
Structure and Examples
Understanding the structure of sentences containing predicate adjectives is key to mastering their use. The basic structure of such a sentence involves a subject, a linking verb, and a predicate adjective.
**Basic Structure:**
– Subject + Linking Verb + Predicate Adjective
**Examples:**
1. The flowers are beautiful.
– Subject: The flowers
– Linking Verb: are
– Predicate Adjective: beautiful
2. The movie was exciting.
– Subject: The movie
– Linking Verb: was
– Predicate Adjective: exciting
3. The cake smells delicious.
– Subject: The cake
– Linking Verb: smells
– Predicate Adjective: delicious
In these examples, the predicate adjectives (“beautiful,” “exciting,” and “delicious”) describe the subjects (“flowers,” “movie,” and “cake”).
Predicate Nominatives vs. Predicate Adjectives
It is also important to distinguish between predicate adjectives and predicate nominatives. Both follow linking verbs, but they serve different purposes. While predicate adjectives describe the subject, predicate nominatives rename or provide another name for the subject.
For example:
– Predicate Adjective: “The sky is clear.”
– Here, “clear” describes the sky.
– Predicate Nominative: “The sky is a beautiful sight.”
– Here, “a beautiful sight” renames the sky.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even advanced English learners can sometimes make mistakes when using predicate adjectives. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them:
Incorrect Use of Linking Verbs
One common mistake is using an action verb instead of a linking verb. Remember, predicate adjectives follow linking verbs, not action verbs.
Incorrect: “She sings beautiful.”
Correct: “She sings beautifully.”
Correct: “She is beautiful.”
In the incorrect example, “sings” is an action verb, so it should be followed by an adverb (“beautifully”) rather than an adjective. In the correct example, “is” is a linking verb, which correctly leads to the predicate adjective “beautiful.”
Misplaced Predicate Adjectives
Another common error is placing the adjective in the wrong part of the sentence.
Incorrect: “The delicious cake smells.”
Correct: “The cake smells delicious.”
In the incorrect example, “delicious” is placed before the noun “cake,” making it an attributive adjective rather than a predicate adjective. The correct example uses “delicious” as a predicate adjective following the linking verb “smells.”
Why Use Predicate Adjectives?
Using predicate adjectives can make your sentences more descriptive and engaging. They allow you to provide additional information about the subject without overloading the sentence.
Enhanced Description
Predicate adjectives help you describe the subject in a more nuanced way. For instance, saying “The lake is calm” provides a clear and vivid image of the lake’s current state.
Balanced Sentence Structure
Predicate adjectives can also balance your sentences, making them easier to read and understand. Instead of stacking multiple adjectives before a noun, you can spread them out and maintain a cleaner structure.
For example:
– Less Balanced: “The calm, serene, picturesque lake.”
– More Balanced: “The lake is calm, serene, and picturesque.”
Advanced Uses of Predicate Adjectives
Once you are comfortable with the basic use of predicate adjectives, you can explore more advanced structures and uses.
Compound Predicate Adjectives
You can use multiple predicate adjectives in a single sentence to provide a richer description.
Example:
– “The painting was old, faded, and valuable.”
Here, “old,” “faded,” and “valuable” are all predicate adjectives describing the subject “painting.”
Predicate Adjectives in Complex Sentences
Predicate adjectives can also be used in more complex sentence structures, such as those with subordinate clauses.
Example:
– “Although the weather was stormy, the trip remained enjoyable.”
In this sentence, “stormy” is a predicate adjective describing the weather, while “enjoyable” is another predicate adjective describing the trip.
Predicate Adjectives with Modal Verbs
Predicate adjectives can also follow linking verbs that come after modal verbs (can, could, will, would, shall, should, may, might, must).
Example:
– “The plan could be risky.”
Here, “risky” is a predicate adjective following the linking verb “be,” which is preceded by the modal verb “could.”
Practice and Application
To become proficient in using predicate adjectives, practice is essential. Here are some exercises to help you master their use:
Exercise 1: Identify the Predicate Adjective
In each of the following sentences, identify the predicate adjective:
1. The soup tastes spicy.
2. The children are energetic.
3. The night was dark and stormy.
4. The teacher seems knowledgeable.
5. The book is fascinating.
Answers:
1. Spicy
2. Energetic
3. Dark, stormy
4. Knowledgeable
5. Fascinating
Exercise 2: Create Sentences with Predicate Adjectives
Write sentences using the following adjectives as predicate adjectives: happy, tall, quiet, expensive, bright.
Example Answers:
1. The dog is happy.
2. The basketball player is tall.
3. The library is quiet.
4. The car is expensive.
5. The room is bright.
Exercise 3: Correct the Mistakes
Correct the following sentences that contain mistakes with predicate adjectives:
1. The cake smells deliciously.
2. She is appear tired.
3. The flowers look beauty.
4. The movie was excite.
5. He seems happily.
Corrected Sentences:
1. The cake smells delicious.
2. She appears tired.
3. The flowers look beautiful.
4. The movie was exciting.
5. He seems happy.
Conclusion
Predicate adjectives are an essential component of English grammar that can significantly enhance your descriptive abilities. By understanding their structure, recognizing common linking verbs, and practicing their use, you can become more adept at creating vivid and balanced sentences. Whether you are writing a story, composing an essay, or engaging in conversation, the effective use of predicate adjectives will help you convey your thoughts more clearly and compellingly.
Remember, the key to mastering predicate adjectives, like any other grammatical element, is consistent practice. So, keep practicing, and soon enough, using predicate adjectives will become second nature to you. Happy learning!
