When learning English, understanding the different parts of speech and how they function within a sentence is crucial. One such important part of speech is the predicate adjective. This grammatical element can significantly enhance your ability to express descriptions and states of being more precisely and effectively. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the concept of predicate adjectives, explore their usage, and provide numerous examples to help you master them.
What is a Predicate Adjective?
A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject of the sentence. Unlike attributive adjectives, which directly modify nouns, predicate adjectives are connected to the noun they describe through a verb. The linking verb serves as a bridge between the subject and the adjective.
For example, consider the sentence: “The sky is blue.” Here, “blue” is a predicate adjective because it follows the linking verb “is” and describes the subject “sky.”
Linking Verbs and Predicate Adjectives
To effectively use predicate adjectives, you need to understand linking verbs. Linking verbs, also known as copulative verbs, do not express action. Instead, they connect the subject of a sentence to a subject complement, which can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective. Common linking verbs include:
– To be (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been)
– To seem
– To become
– To appear
– To feel
– To look
– To sound
– To taste
– To smell
In sentences with predicate adjectives, the linking verb connects the subject to the adjective. For example, in the sentence “She seems happy,” “seems” is the linking verb, and “happy” is the predicate adjective describing “she.”
Examples of Linking Verbs with Predicate Adjectives
1. The cake tastes delicious.
2. He became angry after hearing the news.
3. The flowers smell fragrant in the morning.
4. Her voice sounds melodious.
5. The soup looks appetizing.
In each of these sentences, the adjective following the linking verb provides more information about the subject.
Distinguishing Predicate Adjectives from Attributive Adjectives
Attributive adjectives directly modify nouns and are placed before the noun they describe. In contrast, predicate adjectives come after the linking verb. Understanding this distinction is essential for using adjectives correctly in different contexts.
Consider the following examples:
1. Attributive Adjective: The red balloon floated away.
2. Predicate Adjective: The balloon is red.
In the first sentence, “red” is an attributive adjective modifying “balloon.” In the second sentence, “red” is a predicate adjective describing “balloon” via the linking verb “is.”
Forming Sentences with Predicate Adjectives
Creating sentences with predicate adjectives involves a straightforward structure: Subject + Linking Verb + Predicate Adjective. Let’s break down this structure with more examples:
1. The sky looks clear.
– Subject: The sky
– Linking Verb: looks
– Predicate Adjective: clear
2. She feels confident about her presentation.
– Subject: She
– Linking Verb: feels
– Predicate Adjective: confident
3. The movie was boring.
– Subject: The movie
– Linking Verb: was
– Predicate Adjective: boring
4. They became friends.
– Subject: They
– Linking Verb: became
– Predicate Adjective: friends (Although “friends” is a noun, it functions as a predicate adjective in this context.)
By following this structure, you can effectively use predicate adjectives to add descriptive detail to your sentences.
Predicate Adjectives and Subject Complements
Predicate adjectives are a type of subject complement. Subject complements are words or groups of words that follow linking verbs and provide additional information about the subject. There are two main types of subject complements: predicate adjectives and predicate nominatives.
Predicate nominatives are nouns or pronouns that rename or identify the subject. For example, in the sentence “She is a teacher,” “teacher” is a predicate nominative identifying “she.”
Predicate adjectives, on the other hand, describe the subject. For example, in the sentence “She is intelligent,” “intelligent” is a predicate adjective describing “she.”
Using Predicate Adjectives in Different Tenses
Predicate adjectives can be used in various tenses to describe the subject at different points in time. Let’s explore how they function in different tenses:
Present Tense
In the present tense, predicate adjectives describe the current state of the subject.
– The weather is pleasant today.
– He seems tired.
Past Tense
In the past tense, predicate adjectives describe the state of the subject at a previous time.
– The weather was stormy yesterday.
– She felt happy after the event.
Future Tense
In the future tense, predicate adjectives describe the anticipated state of the subject.
– The weather will be sunny tomorrow.
– They will become successful entrepreneurs.
Common Errors with Predicate Adjectives
When using predicate adjectives, learners often make some common errors. Being aware of these errors can help you avoid them and use predicate adjectives correctly.
Using Action Verbs Instead of Linking Verbs
Predicate adjectives should follow linking verbs, not action verbs. For example:
Incorrect: The soup tastes deliciously.
Correct: The soup tastes delicious.
In the incorrect sentence, “deliciously” is an adverb, which is inappropriate here. The correct sentence uses the adjective “delicious” to describe the soup.
Misplacing the Predicate Adjective
Predicate adjectives should come after the linking verb, not before the subject. For example:
Incorrect: Happy she feels.
Correct: She feels happy.
In the incorrect sentence, the adjective “happy” is misplaced. The correct sentence places the adjective after the linking verb.
Confusing Predicate Adjectives with Adverbs
Adjectives describe nouns, while adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Predicate adjectives should be adjectives, not adverbs. For example:
Incorrect: The music sounds beautifully.
Correct: The music sounds beautiful.
In the incorrect sentence, “beautifully” is an adverb, which is inappropriate here. The correct sentence uses the adjective “beautiful” to describe the music.
Practice Exercises
To reinforce your understanding of predicate adjectives, here are some practice exercises. Identify the predicate adjectives and linking verbs in the following sentences:
1. The garden looks vibrant in the spring.
2. He appears calm despite the chaos.
3. The soup smells wonderful.
4. They are excited about the trip.
5. The lecture was informative.
Answers:
1. Predicate Adjective: vibrant, Linking Verb: looks
2. Predicate Adjective: calm, Linking Verb: appears
3. Predicate Adjective: wonderful, Linking Verb: smells
4. Predicate Adjective: excited, Linking Verb: are
5. Predicate Adjective: informative, Linking Verb: was
Advanced Usage of Predicate Adjectives
As you become more comfortable with predicate adjectives, you can explore more advanced usages, such as using them in compound sentences or with multiple adjectives. Here are some examples:
Compound Sentences
Predicate adjectives can be used in compound sentences to describe multiple subjects.
– The sky is clear, and the stars are visible.
– She feels confident, but he seems nervous.
Multiple Predicate Adjectives
A subject can be described by multiple predicate adjectives, connected by conjunctions like “and” or “but.”
– The house is spacious and bright.
– The meal was delicious but expensive.
Predicate Adjectives in Questions
Predicate adjectives can also be used in questions to inquire about the state or quality of the subject.
– How does the cake taste?
– Is the movie interesting?
In these questions, the predicate adjectives “taste” and “interesting” seek information about the subjects “cake” and “movie,” respectively.
Predicate Adjectives with Intensifiers
Intensifiers like “very,” “extremely,” and “quite” can be used with predicate adjectives to emphasize the degree of the description.
– The weather is very hot today.
– She seems extremely happy with the results.
– The book was quite interesting.
Conclusion
Understanding and using predicate adjectives is a fundamental aspect of mastering English grammar. These adjectives allow you to provide more detailed and precise descriptions of subjects, enhancing your communication skills. By recognizing the role of linking verbs and distinguishing predicate adjectives from attributive adjectives, you can construct clear and effective sentences.
Remember to practice identifying and using predicate adjectives in various contexts, including different tenses and more complex sentence structures. By doing so, you will become more confident in your ability to describe states of being and qualities accurately.
As you continue your language learning journey, keep exploring and experimenting with predicate adjectives. They are a powerful tool that will enrich your language proficiency and enable you to express yourself more effectively in English. Happy learning!
