subject complements

Subject Complement

  • Definition: A subject complement completes a sentence by finishing the concept initiated by the subject and verb.

    • Note: Do not confuse with "complement," which means to flatter someone.

  • Function: Subject complements work with linking verbs, finalizing the thought expressed in a sentence.

Linking Verbs

  • Definition: Linking verbs communicate a state of being and connect the subject with the complement.

  • Common Example: The most prevalent linking verb is the verb "to be," which has eight different forms:

    • be

    • being

    • been

    • am

    • is

    • are

    • were

    • was

  • Other Linking Verbs: Verbs that indicate existence include:

    • become

    • grow

    • remain

  • Sensory Linking Verbs: Any verb that describes the five senses can function as a linking verb.

    • Senses Include:

    • hearing

    • taste

    • seeing

    • smell

    • touch

Types of Subject Complements

  • Categories: There are two types of subject complements:

    1. Predicate Nominative

    2. Predicate Adjective

Predicate Nominative

  • Definition: A predicate nominative follows a linking verb and redefines or describes the subject.

  • Characteristics: It will always be a noun (person, place, or thing).

  • Example Sentence: "Max remains the leader in the annual dog show."

    • Analysis:

    • Subject: Max

    • Linking Verb: remains

    • Predicate Nominative: leader

    • Explanation: Leader describes Max and refers back to him.

  • Further Example: "Monique is a doctor."

    • Analysis:

    • Subject: Monique

    • Linking Verb: is

    • Predicate Nominative: doctor

    • Explanation: Doctor refers back to Monique.

  • Evaluating Predicate Nominatives:

    • Method: Replace the linking verb with the correct form of "to be."

    • Example: "Thomas became a veterinarian."

    • Replace "became" with "is":

      • Thomas is a veterinarian.

    • Analysis: The sentence remains logical; "veterinarian" refers back to subject "Thomas."

Predicate Adjective

  • Definition: A predicate adjective follows a linking verb and refers back to and describes the subject.

  • Example Sentence: "The chicken was warm."

    • Analysis:

    • Subject: chicken

    • Linking Verb: was

    • Predicate Adjective: warm

    • Explanation: Warm describes the subject chicken, satisfying the criterion for a predicate adjective.

  • Placement: Predicate adjectives appear after a linking verb.

  • Distinction: Adjectives that appear before a verb are not predicate adjectives.

    • Example Sentences:

    1. "The daring skydiver is Amanda."

      • Daring describes skydiver (not a predicate adjective since it precedes the verb).

    2. "Amanda is daring."

      • Daring describes Amanda (predicate adjective since it follows the verb).