Predicate Adjective

Overview

A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb (like ‘is’, ‘am’, ‘are’, ‘was’, ‘were’, ‘seems’, ‘becomes’) and modifies the subject of the sentence. It describes a quality or state of the subject, rather than an action performed by it.

Key Concepts

Linking Verbs

Predicate adjectives are always linked to the subject by a linking verb. These verbs don’t show action; they connect the subject to a word or phrase that renames or describes it.

Modification of Subject

The adjective’s function is to describe the subject. It’s not modifying a noun directly, but rather providing information about the subject after the verb.

Deep Dive

Structure

The typical structure is: Subject + Linking Verb + Predicate Adjective.

Example: The sky is blue.

• ‘Sky’ is the subject.
• ‘is’ is the linking verb.
• ‘blue’ is the predicate adjective, describing the sky.

Distinction from Attributive Adjectives

Attributive adjectives come *before* the noun they modify (e.g., ‘a blue sky’). Predicate adjectives come *after* a linking verb.

Applications

Describing States and Qualities

Predicate adjectives are essential for expressing descriptions, feelings, and states of being.

Examples:

• She looks happy.
• The soup tastes delicious.
• He seems tired.

Challenges & Misconceptions

Adverbs vs. Adjectives

A common error is using an adverb instead of an adjective after a linking verb. Remember, linking verbs take adjectives to describe the subject.

Incorrect: She sings beautifully. (Here, ‘sings’ is an action verb, so ‘beautifully’ is an adverb modifying it.)

Correct: She is beautiful. (‘is’ is a linking verb, ‘beautiful’ is a predicate adjective modifying ‘She’.)

FAQs

What is a linking verb?

A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence to a subject complement, which can be a predicate adjective or a predicate noun.

Can a predicate adjective modify a pronoun?

Yes, a predicate adjective can modify a pronoun. Example: It seems difficult.