key term - Predicate adjective

Definition

A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and modifies the subject of the sentence. It provides additional information about the subject by describing its state or condition, establishing a connection between the subject and the adjective through the linking verb. Understanding predicate adjectives is crucial for grasping how they work alongside predicate nominatives to enrich sentence structure and convey meaning.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Predicate adjectives typically come after linking verbs like 'is', 'are', 'was', and 'were'.
2. In a sentence like 'The flowers are beautiful', 'beautiful' is the predicate adjective that describes 'the flowers'.
3. Predicate adjectives can be modified by adverbs, such as in 'The soup is very hot', where 'very' modifies the predicate adjective 'hot'.
4. They can also appear in the form of compound adjectives, as in 'The sky looks bright and clear', where both 'bright' and 'clear' are predicate adjectives.
5. Understanding how to identify predicate adjectives helps with parsing sentences and enhances overall writing clarity.

Review Questions

• How do predicate adjectives function within sentences, and how do they relate to linking verbs?
  • Predicate adjectives function as modifiers that provide descriptions of the subject in a sentence, following linking verbs. They establish a relationship between the subject and the description, making it clear what state or quality is being attributed to the subject. For example, in the sentence 'She is intelligent', 'intelligent' is a predicate adjective linked to 'she' by the verb 'is'.
• Compare and contrast predicate adjectives with predicate nominatives, providing examples for clarity.
  • Predicate adjectives and predicate nominatives serve different purposes in sentences. Predicate adjectives describe the subject's attributes, like in 'The cat is fluffy', where 'fluffy' describes the cat. In contrast, predicate nominatives rename or identify the subject, as in 'She is a teacher', where 'teacher' renames 'she'. Both follow linking verbs but provide distinct types of information about the subject.
• Evaluate how understanding predicate adjectives can enhance writing skills and clarity in communication.
  • Understanding predicate adjectives is crucial for improving writing skills because it helps writers create clearer and more descriptive sentences. By knowing how to effectively use predicate adjectives, one can paint a more vivid picture for readers, enhancing their understanding of characters, settings, and emotions. This clarity in communication allows writers to convey their intended message more accurately, making their writing more engaging and effective.

Related terms

linking verb:

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

predicate nominative:

A noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject of the sentence.

subject complement: A word or group of words that completes the meaning of a subject by providing more information, including both predicate adjectives and predicate nominatives.