Predicative adjectives

Definition

Predicative adjectives are adjectives that are linked to a subject by a linking verb and provide information about that subject. They are typically found in the predicate part of a sentence and describe or modify the subject by attributing a quality or characteristic to it. This contrasts with attributive adjectives, which directly modify nouns in their immediate vicinity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Predicative adjectives usually appear after linking verbs like 'is,' 'are,' 'seem,' or 'become.'
2. They can describe qualities such as color, size, emotion, or condition of the subject.
3. In a sentence, the predicative adjective must agree with the subject in number and sometimes gender.
4. Examples of predicative adjectives include 'happy' in 'The child is happy' or 'tall' in 'The building is tall.'
5. Understanding predicative adjectives helps in recognizing how subjects relate to their descriptions within sentences.

Review Questions

• How do predicative adjectives function within a sentence compared to attributive adjectives?
  • Predicative adjectives function by providing information about a subject through a linking verb, typically appearing after the verb, such as in 'The dog is friendly.' In contrast, attributive adjectives modify nouns directly and appear before them, like in 'The friendly dog.' Understanding this distinction is key for identifying how adjectives can alter meaning and structure within sentences.
• Discuss the role of linking verbs in connecting subjects to predicative adjectives and give examples.
  • Linking verbs play a crucial role in connecting subjects to predicative adjectives by establishing relationships between them. For example, in the sentence 'She is tired,' the verb 'is' links the subject 'she' to the adjective 'tired,' which describes her state. Other linking verbs like 'seem' or 'become' function similarly, allowing for various expressions of condition or quality regarding the subject.
• Evaluate the impact of using predicative adjectives on sentence clarity and descriptiveness.
  • Using predicative adjectives enhances sentence clarity and descriptiveness by allowing for nuanced descriptions of subjects. For instance, stating 'The sky is blue' provides clear imagery compared to simply stating 'The sky.' This use of predicative adjectives allows writers and speakers to convey specific qualities or states of being, enriching communication and making it more vivid for the audience.

Related terms

linking verbs: Verbs that connect the subject of a sentence to additional information about the subject, often used to link to predicative adjectives.

attributive adjectives:

Adjectives that directly modify a noun, usually placed before the noun they describe, such as 'the blue sky.'

subject complement: A word or phrase that follows a linking verb and provides additional information about the subject, which can include predicative adjectives.