Subject Complements Flashcards
What is a subject complement?
A subject complement is a word or word group in the predicate that identifies or describes the subject.
It completes the meaning of a linking verb.
There are two kinds; predicate nominative and predicate adjective.
Almost all sentences will not have a PN and a PA in the same sentence.
What is a predicate nominative?
A predicate nominative is a word or word group (N/PRO) in the predicate and that identifies the subject and refers to it.
Completes the meaning of a linking verb and only occurs when linking verb is present.
Almost all sentences will not have a PN and a PA in the same sentence.
What are some tips to find a predicate nominatives?
It may be compound. Ex. The two candidates for class treasurer are Marc and I. The PN's are "Mark" and "I." This is because they both share the same subject that is referred to and identifies in the predicate.
If syntax is changed (! or ?) then the subject complement may precede the subject and the verb.
Ex. What an outstanding basketball player Micheal Jordan was! “Player” is a noun that refers to the subj Micheal Jordan, and this is located in the predicate.
Almost all sentences will not have a PN and a PA in the same sentence.
What is a predicate adjective?
A predicate adjective is an ADJECTIVE that is in the predicate and that modifies the subject.
Completes the meaning of a linking verb and only occurs when linking verb is present.
Almost all sentences will not have a PN and a PA in the same sentence.
What are some tips for finding a predicate adjective?
It may be compound.
“Does this blouse look pink or mauve to you?”
The ADJs pink and mauve refer to the subject blouse.
If syntax is changed (! or ?) then the subject complement may precede the subject and the verb.
Ex. How talented she is!
The ADJ “talented” modifies the subj “she.”
Almost all sentences will not have a PN and a PA in the same sentence.
What are the steps to find subject complements?
Subj (N/PRO) ~~ find linking verb (=) ~~
ADJ that modifies the subj (in pred) = PA
N/PRO that identifies and refers to subj (in pred) = PN
