Predicate adjectives

Definition

Predicate adjectives are adjectives that follow a linking verb and modify the subject of the sentence. They provide additional information about the subject, expressing a quality or state of being, and are essential in constructing meaningful sentences by describing nouns.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Predicate adjectives typically come after linking verbs such as 'is', 'are', 'was', and 'were'.
2. They help to convey important characteristics or qualities of the subject, enhancing the reader's understanding.
3. Examples of predicate adjectives include words like 'happy', 'tall', 'red', and 'brave' when they follow a linking verb.
4. In the sentence 'The sky is blue', 'blue' acts as a predicate adjective describing 'sky'.
5. Predicate adjectives can be used in various tenses, depending on the tense of the linking verb they follow.

Review Questions

• How do predicate adjectives function in a sentence, and why are they important for clarity?
  • Predicate adjectives function by following linking verbs to modify the subject of the sentence. They provide critical descriptive information that enhances clarity and understanding. For instance, in the sentence 'The flowers are beautiful', the predicate adjective 'beautiful' tells us more about the flowers, allowing the reader to visualize them better.
• Compare and contrast predicate adjectives with attributive adjectives, highlighting their placements and roles in sentences.
  • Predicate adjectives and attributive adjectives serve different functions in sentences. Predicate adjectives follow linking verbs and modify the subject, while attributive adjectives directly modify nouns and precede them. For example, in 'The red car is fast', 'red' is an attributive adjective modifying 'car', whereas 'fast' is a predicate adjective following the linking verb 'is' to describe the car's quality.
• Evaluate the significance of using predicate adjectives effectively within written communication, particularly in descriptive writing.
  • Using predicate adjectives effectively in written communication, especially in descriptive writing, greatly enhances vividness and engagement. They allow writers to convey emotions and create imagery, making their descriptions more impactful. For instance, saying 'The cat is playful' gives insight into the cat's behavior, enriching the narrative by helping readers connect with characters or subjects on an emotional level.

Related terms

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

Subject complement: A word or phrase that follows a linking verb and renames or describes the subject, which can include predicate adjectives or predicate nominatives.

Attributive adjectives: Adjectives that directly modify nouns and appear before them in a sentence, as opposed to predicate adjectives which follow linking verbs.