Adjectives are essential components of language that add depth and detail to sentences. They help to describe, modify, and provide more information about nouns or pronouns, making our expressions richer and more vivid. In English, adjectives can be used in various ways, one of which is the **predicative use**. This article aims to explore the predicative use of adjectives, providing a comprehensive guide to understanding and using them effectively.
Understanding Predicative Adjectives
To grasp the concept of predicative adjectives, it’s important first to distinguish between **attributive** and **predicative** adjectives.
– **Attributive adjectives** are placed directly before the noun they describe. For example:
– *The red apple*.
– *A tall building*.
– **Predicative adjectives**, on the other hand, are used in the predicate of a sentence, usually following a **linking verb** such as “be,” “seem,” “become,” “feel,” “look,” and others. They do not directly precede the noun but are used to describe the subject of the sentence indirectly. For example:
– *The apple is red*.
– *The building seems tall*.
Linking Verbs and Predicative Adjectives
Linking verbs, also known as **copular verbs**, are crucial in the use of predicative adjectives. These verbs connect the subject of the sentence to a subject complement, which can be an adjective or a noun that provides more information about the subject. Some common linking verbs include:
– **To be**: is, am, are, was, were
– **To seem**: seems, seemed
– **To become**: becomes, became
– **To feel**: feels, felt
– **To look**: looks, looked
– **To appear**: appears, appeared
– **To smell**: smells, smelled
– **To sound**: sounds, sounded
– **To taste**: tastes, tasted
For example:
– *She is happy* (using “to be”).
– *He seems tired* (using “to seem”).
– *The soup tastes delicious* (using “to taste”).
Forming Sentences with Predicative Adjectives
Forming sentences with predicative adjectives is relatively straightforward. The structure generally follows this pattern:
**Subject + Linking Verb + Predicative Adjective**
Here are some examples to illustrate this structure:
– *The sky is blue*.
– *The cake smells good*.
– *They look excited*.
In each of these sentences, the predicative adjective follows the linking verb and provides more information about the subject.
Using Predicative Adjectives with Different Tenses
Predicative adjectives can be used with different tenses by conjugating the linking verb accordingly. Here are a few examples to demonstrate this:
– **Present Simple**: *The water is cold*.
– **Past Simple**: *The water was cold*.
– **Future Simple**: *The water will be cold*.
– **Present Continuous**: *The water is getting colder*.
– **Past Continuous**: *The water was becoming colder*.
– **Present Perfect**: *The water has been cold*.
– **Past Perfect**: *The water had been cold*.
– **Future Perfect**: *The water will have been cold*.
By adjusting the tense of the linking verb, you can use predicative adjectives to describe states or conditions at different times.
Common Mistakes with Predicative Adjectives
Like any aspect of language, the predicative use of adjectives can come with its set of challenges and common mistakes. Here are a few pitfalls to watch out for:
Confusing Attributive and Predicative Adjectives
A common mistake is confusing attributive and predicative adjectives. Remember, attributive adjectives come before the noun, while predicative adjectives follow a linking verb. Compare these sentences:
– *Incorrect*: *The apple is red apple*.
– *Correct*: *The apple is red*.
In the incorrect sentence, “red” is mistakenly used as an attributive adjective when it should be predicative.
Using Adverbs Instead of Adjectives
Another common error is using an adverb instead of an adjective in the predicative position. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, but not nouns. For example:
– *Incorrect*: *She looks happily*.
– *Correct*: *She looks happy*.
In the incorrect sentence, “happily” is an adverb, while “happy” is the correct adjective to use predicatively.
Agreement Issues
Ensure that the predicative adjective agrees in number with the subject. For example:
– *Incorrect*: *The students is excited*.
– *Correct*: *The students are excited*.
In the incorrect sentence, “is” does not agree with the plural subject “students.” The correct form is “are excited.”
Advanced Usage and Exceptions
While the basic rules of predicative adjectives are relatively simple, there are some advanced usages and exceptions worth noting.
Adjectives that are Only Predicative
Some adjectives in English are used exclusively in the predicative position and never attributively. These include adjectives like “afraid,” “asleep,” and “alive.” For example:
– *She is afraid* (correct).
– *The afraid girl* (incorrect).
These adjectives do not function correctly when placed before a noun.
Adjectives with Different Meanings in Attributive and Predicative Positions
Certain adjectives can change meaning depending on whether they are used attributively or predicatively. For instance:
– *The present situation* (current situation).
– *She is present* (physically here).
– *A certain answer* (specific answer).
– *He is certain* (sure or confident).
Understanding these subtle differences can help in mastering the use of adjectives more effectively.
Predicative Adjectives in Comparative and Superlative Forms
Predicative adjectives can also be used in their comparative and superlative forms to compare the subject with other entities or to indicate the highest degree of a quality. For example:
– *She is happier than her sister* (comparative).
– *He is the tallest in the class* (superlative).
In these cases, the adjective still follows the linking verb but takes on a comparative or superlative form.
Practical Exercises for Mastery
To master the use of predicative adjectives, practice is key. Here are some exercises to help you get comfortable with this grammatical structure.
Exercise 1: Identify the Predicative Adjectives
Read the following sentences and identify the predicative adjectives:
1. The soup tastes delicious.
2. The children are sleepy.
3. The weather seems perfect.
4. She looks worried.
5. The flowers smell wonderful.
Exercise 2: Convert Attributive to Predicative Adjectives
Rewrite the following sentences, converting the attributive adjectives to predicative adjectives:
1. The happy dog is playing.
2. The tall man is speaking.
3. The cold drink is refreshing.
4. The beautiful painting is admired.
5. The noisy crowd is cheering.
Exercise 3: Create Sentences with Predicative Adjectives
Create sentences using the following adjectives in the predicative position:
1. Excited
2. Angry
3. Confused
4. Safe
5. Ready
Conclusion
The predicative use of adjectives is an essential aspect of English grammar that adds nuance and detail to our sentences. By understanding the role of linking verbs and practicing the correct placement and agreement of predicative adjectives, language learners can enhance their descriptive abilities and achieve greater fluency. Remember to avoid common mistakes, be mindful of exceptions, and practice regularly to master this grammatical structure. Happy learning!
