Predicate Nominative
Phonetics:
predɪkət
nɒmɪnətɪv
Pronunciation:
Cracking the Code Demystifying Predicate Nominatives in English Grammar
Comprehensive Definition, Description, Examples & RulesÂ
Grammar, in English, serves as its backbone, providing structure and clarity to our thoughts and ideas. Your understanding of grammatical concepts such as predicate nominative holds great significance as an English learner. It allows you to express yourself with precision and clarity. And that is what Edulyte’s English trainers will help you do with their predicate nominative resource. And what is even better is that you get exclusive access to a free worksheet!
Introduction: Why learn the Predicate Nominatives, and What is Their Significant Role in Your Sentence Structure?
The importance of comprehending grammatical concepts, including predicate nominatives, cannot be overstated. A solid grasp of these concepts empowers individuals to construct sentences that convey meaning accurately, enhancing the overall effectiveness of communication. Predicate nominatives, in particular, play a vital role in sentence structure, acting as a connecting link between the subject and the complement, thereby expanding the richness of expression.
Predicate nominatives bring a sense of balance, unity, and clarity in sentence structure, allowing us to convey ideas concisely and articulately.
Predicate Nominative - Definition, Role and Its Place in a Sentence
The definition of predicate nominative states that it is a noun or a pronoun that follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject of a sentence. It functions as a complement, providing additional information about the subject.
The placement of a predicate nominative within a sentence is typically after the linking verb. The linking verb connects the subject to the predicate nominative, establishing a relationship of identity or equivalence.Â
We can see an example of predicate nominative in the sentence “She is a doctor,” “doctor” is the predicate nominative, and it comes after the linking verb “is.”
The relationship between a predicate nominative and the subject involves identification or renaming. As understood by the definition of predicate nominative, it gives more information about the subject, describing its role, condition, or quality.Â
In the sentence “John is a musician,” “musician” is the predicate nominative, identifying and renaming the subject “John.”
It is essential to distinguish between a predicate nominative and a direct object. While both are types of complements, they serve different functions within a sentence.Â
- A predicate nominative renames or identifies the subject, whereas a direct object receives the action of a transitive verb.Â
- The direct object answers “whom” or “what” after the verb. For example, in the sentence “She bought a book,” “book” is the direct object, as it receives the action of the verb “bought.”Â
- In contrast, as mentioned earlier, a predicate nominative renames or identifies the subject and does not receive the verb’s action.
Identifying Predicate Nominatives: Unlock Tips to Recognise Predicate Nominatives with Examples
Recognising predicate nominatives in sentences can be facilitated through specific tips and techniques.Â
- Look for linking verbs: Predicate nominatives are commonly found after linking verbs, such as “is,” “are,” “was,” “were,” “become,” “seem,” and “appear.” These verbs connect the subject and the complement, with the predicate nominative renaming or identifying the subject.
- Identify nouns or pronouns that follow linking verbs: Pay attention to words that follow linking verbs, as they often serve as predicate nominatives. Look for nouns or pronouns that provide additional information about the subject, describing its identity, role, or condition.
- Consider the complement function: Predicate nominatives act as complements, providing more information about the subject. They often answer the question “who” or “what” after the linking verb. If a word or phrase describes or renames the subject, it is likely a predicate nominative.
Common words or phrases that frequently introduce predicate nominatives include:
- Nouns: Common nouns like “doctor,” “teacher,” “student,” “artist,” and “friend” often serve as predicate nominatives.
- Pronouns: Personal pronouns such as “he,” “she,” “it,” “we,” and “they” can also function as predicate nominatives.
- Adjectives: Adjectives like “happy,” “tired,” “confident,” “proud,” or “sick” can function as predicate nominatives when they describe the subject.
Examples of sentences with predicate nominatives:
- She is a talented singer.
- The dog became my loyal companion.
- They are engineers.
- The cake smells delicious.
- John appears tired.
Examples of Predicate Nominatives: Find all types of sentences with Predicate Nominatives to Improve your English
Several example sentences demonstrate various types of predicate nominatives, including singular and plural forms. These sentences also showcase predicate nominatives in different tenses and sentence structures, providing a comprehensive understanding of their usage:
Singular Predicate Nominative:
- She is a doctor.
- The winner is him.
- My favourite colour is blue.
Plural Predicate Nominative:
- They are teachers.
- The guests are our friends.
- The fruits in the basket are apples.
Predicate Nominatives in Different Tenses:
- He will become an astronaut.
- The team was declared the winner.
- She has been my best friend for years.
Predicate Nominatives in Different Sentence Structures:
- His dream is to become a famous writer.
- The main focus of the seminar is providing practical solutions.
- Their objective was to create a positive impact on society.
Predicate Nominatives with Linking Verbs:
- The movie was a masterpiece.
- Happiness is a choice.
- The problem seems unsolvable.
Predicate Nominatives in Questions:
- Who is the captain of the team? Answer: She.
- What is your favourite hobby? Answer: Reading.
Predicate Nominatives with Adjectives:
- The flowers smell sweet.
- The food tasted delicious.
- The child appeared happy.
Sentence Diagramming with Predicate Nominatives: A Great Way to Improve Your Sentences
Sentence diagramming is a visual tool used to represent the structure of a sentence. It provides a clear and organised way to analyse the various components of a sentence, including subjects, verbs, objects, and complements.Â
When diagramming sentences with predicate nominatives, the focus is on representing the linking verb, subject, and predicate nominative.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to diagram sentences with predicate nominatives:
- Identify the subject and the linking verb in the sentence. The subject is the noun or pronoun the sentence is about, while the linking verb connects the subject to the predicate nominative.
- Draw a horizontal line.
- Place the subject on the left side of the line and the linking verb on the right side. Draw a vertical line separating the linking verb from the subject.Â
- Draw a slanting line after the linking verb and place the predicate nominative after the line.Â
- Place a slanting line below the horizontal line for the article.Â
Example of Predicate Nominative with Sentence Diagramming :Â
Sentence: She is a teacher.
Diagram: She │ is \a teacher
In this diagram, “She” is the subject, “is” is the linking verb, and “teacher” is the predicate nominative. The lines and arrangement visually depict the structure and relationship between the subject, linking verb, and predicate nominative.
Example of Predicate Nominative with Sentence Diagramming :Â
Sentence: They were my friends.
Diagram: They | were \friends
In this example, “They” is the subject, “were” is the linking verb, and “friends” is the predicate nominative. The diagram effectively shows the connection between the subject and the predicate nominative.
By employing sentence diagramming, you can better visualise and understand the role of predicate nominatives within sentence structures, enhancing your comprehension of grammar
Transform Your English Skills
Free sign-up for a personalised dashboard, learning tools, and unlimited possibilities!
Sign up Now
Key Takeaways
- Predicate nominatives are nouns or pronouns that follow linking verbs and rename or identify the subject of a sentence.
- They provide additional information about the subject, describing its role, condition, or quality.
- Predicate nominatives are vital in sentence structure as a connecting link between the subject and the complement.
- Sentence diagramming can be a valuable tool for visually representing the structure and relationship of predicate nominatives within a sentence.
- Predicate nominatives are distinct from direct objects, as they do not receive the action of a transitive verb.
- Common words or phrases that introduce predicate nominatives include nouns, pronouns, and adjectives.
Quiz
Question comes here
Frequently Asked Questions
Sentence diagramming is a visual tool used to represent the structure of a sentence. It provides a clear and organised way to analyse the various components of a sentence, including subjects, verbs, objects, and complements.Â
- Identify the subject and the linking verb in the sentence. The subject is the noun or pronoun the sentence is about, while the linking verb connects the subject to the predicate nominative.
- Draw a horizontal line.
- Place the subject on the left side of the line and the linking verb on the right side. Draw a vertical line separating the linking verb from the subject.Â
- Draw a slanting line after the linking verb and place the predicate nominative after the line.
- Draw a slanting line below the horizontal line and p;ace the article after it.
To diagram sentences with predicate nominatives, follow these steps:
Here’s an example to illustrate the process:
Diagram: She │ is \a teacherÂ
In this diagram, “She” is the subject, “is” is the linking verb, and “teacher” is the predicate nominative. The lines and arrangement visually depict the structure and relationship between the subject, linking verb, and predicate nominative.
Example:
Sentence: They were my friends.
Diagram: They | were \friends
In this example, “They” is the subject, “were” is the linking verb, and “friends” is the predicate nominative. The diagram effectively shows the connection between the subject and the predicate nominative.
Certainly! Here are step-by-step examples of sentence diagrams featuring predicate nominatives:
Example 1: She is a doctor.
Step 1: Identify the subject and linking verb. Subject: She Linking Verb: is
Step 2: Draw a horizontal line. _______
Step 3: Place the subject on the left side and the linking verb on the right.Â
 She | isÂ
Step 4: Draw a diagonal line between the linking verb and the predicate nominative.Â
She │ is \ teacher
Step 5: Below the horizontal line, draw a diagonal line for the article.
She │ is \ teacher                                                           Â
                    \a
