What is the difference between predicative adjectives and attributive adjectives?

Predicative adjectives follow a linking verb and describe the subject (e.g., "The sky is blue"). Attributive adjectives are placed before the noun they modify (e.g., "the blue sky").

What are some examples of predicative adjectives in a sentence?

"Happy" in "She is happy," "tired" in "They look tired," "delicious" in "The cake smells delicious," and "ready" in "He seems ready" are examples of predicative adjectives. They follow a linking verb and describe the subject of the sentence.

Can predicative adjectives come after linking verbs other than 'be'?

Yes, predicative adjectives can come after linking verbs other than 'be'. Common linking verbs include 'seem', 'become', 'feel', 'look', 'sound', 'smell', and 'appear', among others. These verbs connect the subject to an adjective that describes it.

How can I identify a predicative adjective in a sentence?

A predicative adjective follows a linking verb and describes the subject of the sentence. It does not appear directly before the noun it modifies. For example, in the sentence "The sky is blue," "blue" is the predicative adjective describing "the sky."

Do predicative adjectives need to agree in number and gender with the noun they describe?

No, predicative adjectives in English do not need to agree in number or gender with the noun they describe. Predicative adjectives remain invariable, regardless of whether the noun is singular or plural, male or female.

Why is distinguishing linking verbs important?

They determine the tense of a predicative adjective.

Which verb type do predicate adjectives follow?

Helping verbs, also known as auxiliary verbs, which complement the main verb.

What do linking verbs do in relation to predicate adjectives?

They ensure verbs appear in passive voice.

Which verb type often accompanies predicative adjectives?

Action verbs like 'run' and 'jump'.

Predicate Adjectives: Definition & Examples

Predicative adjectives

Predicative adjectives are a type of adjective that follow a linking verb and provide more information about the subject of the sentence, as in "The cake tastes delicious." They differ from attributive adjectives, which appear before the noun, and are crucial for adding detail, emotion, or evaluation within a sentence structure. Understanding predicative adjectives helps enhance fluency and descriptive abilities in writing and speaking by accurately connecting subjects with their states or qualities.

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Predicative Adjectives Overview

Understanding predicative adjectives is essential as you learn more about English grammar and sentence structure. Predicative adjectives serve a unique purpose in English, providing additional information about the subject of the sentence in a descriptive manner. Let's explore the function and importance of these adjectives in more detail.

What Are Predicative Adjectives?

A predicative adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and modifies the subject of the sentence. It provides more information about the subject after the verb.

Example of predicative adjectives: In the sentence ‘The sky is blue,’ the word 'blue' is the predicative adjective, following the linking verb 'is' and describing the noun 'sky'.

Most often, predicative adjectives follow verbs like 'be', 'seem', 'become', 'get', or 'appear'.

How Do Predicative Adjectives Function?

Predicative adjectives act as essential components of sentences by:

Providing descriptive details about the subject.
Following linking verbs to complete a sentence's meaning.
Offering clarity and precision to statements.

These adjectives avoid redundancy, as they typically do not come before the noun they modify.

Consider the sentence: ‘The cake tastes delicious.’ Here, ‘delicious’ is a predicative adjective following the linking verb ‘tastes,’ describing the subject ‘cake.’

Using predicative adjectives correctly can enhance your writing by making descriptions more vivid and engaging.

In understanding linking verbs, it's crucial to distinguish them from action verbs. Linking verbs do not show action but rather connect the subject with a predicative adjective. They help form sentences where the subject is described or equated to something else. Common linking verbs include forms of 'to be' (is, am, are, was, were), 'appear', 'seem', 'become', and 'feel'. Unlike action verbs, linking verbs cannot be completed solely by direct objects. When mastering the use of predicative adjectives, recognizing these linking verbs is vital, as they form the core connection between the subject and the adjective that describes it.

Predicate Adjective Definition

To enhance your understanding of English grammar, getting to know predicate adjectives is crucial. These adjectives provide essential details about the subject of a sentence in a meaningful way. Let's delve into their definition and function.

A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb to modify the sentence's subject. This type of adjective gives additional information about the subject, appearing after the verb rather than preceding the noun.

A predicate adjective plays a vital role by giving descriptive details about the subject. These adjectives:

Appear after linking verbs such as 'is', 'seem', 'become', and 'feel'.
Modify the subject by providing additional information.
Help create more vivid and descriptive sentences free from redundancy.

These characteristics distinguish predicate adjectives from other types, allowing them to complete a sentence meaningfully.

In the sentence ‘The roses smell fragrant’, 'fragrant' is a predicate adjective following the linking verb 'smell', describing the noun 'roses'.

Predicate adjectives can enhance your sentence quality by providing vivid descriptions without being redundant.

Linking verbs are central to understanding predicate adjectives. They differ significantly from action verbs in their grammatical role, providing a connection between the subject and descriptive or identifying expressions. Common linking verbs include 'seem', 'appear', 'become', and 'forms of 'to be' like 'is' or 'are'. A linking verb typically cannot be completed with a direct object because it doesn't express action. Recognizing predicate adjectives requires identifying these verbs, which help describe the subject by connecting it to the adjective. This relationship forms the predicate structure in a sentence, essential for sentence variety and complexity.

What is a Predicate Adjective?

In your journey learning English grammar, encountering predicate adjectives is inevitable. These adjectives are distinctive for providing crucial information about a subject, enhancing sentence clarity and depth.

A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject of the sentence. It does not directly precede the noun it describes, but rather completes the predicate, adding depth to the sentence.

Predicate adjectives serve several important functions:

They provide additional details about the subject.
They follow a linking verb to form complete predicates.
They help in creating meaningful, descriptive sentences.

These adjectives often appear in sentences alongside linking verbs, playing a key role in sentence structure and conveying detailed descriptions.

Consider the example sentence: ‘The soup is hot.’ Here, ‘hot’ is a predicate adjective that follows the linking verb ‘is’, providing more information about the subject, ‘soup’.

Linking verbs are instrumental to predicate adjectives. They serve as connectors, joining the subject of the sentence with the adjective or additional information that describes it. Unlike action verbs, linking verbs do not express actions but rather states of being or conditions. Recognizing common linking verbs such as ‘seem’, ‘become’, ‘feel’, and forms of the verb ‘to be’ is essential for identifying predicate adjectives. This understanding enriches your ability to craft sentences with varied structures and rich descriptions.

Ensuring predicate adjectives are placed after linking verbs can significantly enhance the expressiveness of your writing.

Predicate Adjective Examples

Predicate adjectives are a key part of English grammar, playing a significant role in giving a full picture of who or what the subject is. They appear after linking verbs and describe the subject. Understanding how these adjectives work helps improve both sentence construction and comprehension.

Grammar Predicate Adjective in Sentences

When examining predicate adjectives within sentences, it is important to understand their placement and impact. Predicate adjectives follow a linking verb and describe the subject, adding clarity and detail to your sentences.

Example: In the sentence ‘Her voice sounds beautiful,’ ‘beautiful’ is a predicate adjective. It follows the linking verb ‘sounds’ and describes the subject ‘voice’.

Predicate adjectives are essential for clear and effective descriptions within your writing.

Understanding the grammar behind linking verbs and predicate adjectives can deepen your comprehension of sentence structure. Linking verbs, which include forms of 'to be' (such as is, am, are, was, were), as well as verbs like 'seem', 'appear', and 'become', do not convey action but connect the subject to additional information - often an adjective that describes it. Recognizing these verbs helps identify where predicate adjectives will follow, forming grammatically complete sentences with nuanced descriptions.

Predicate adjectives are not only useful but necessary for articulating characteristics of a subject in a concise manner. Consider using them in your writing to enhance the vividness and clarity of your descriptions.

Predicate Adjective Exercises

Engaging in exercises about predicate adjectives improves your understanding of their application in sentences. Predicate adjectives are invaluable for enriching sentence descriptions and can be practiced through various activities. Let's delve into some exercises to solidify your grasp of predicate adjectives.

Identify Predicate Adjectives

To start, try identifying predicate adjectives in the following sentences. Determine the linking verb and the adjective that describes the subject:

The boy seems happy.
The cake smells delicious.
She has become confident.

These adjective exercises can help you recognize the structure and enhance your descriptive skills.

Focus on the words following the linking verb to effectively spot predicate adjectives.

Construct Sentences with Predicate Adjectives

Practicing constructing sentences with predicate adjectives aids in reinforcing your understanding. Use a list of adjectives and linking verbs to create sentences:

Linking Verbs	Adjectives
is	cheerful
seem	curious
become	strong

Example exercises include:

She is cheerful.
The cat seems curious.
He has become strong.

Example Sentence: ‘The flowers are beautiful.’ In this sentence, ‘beautiful’ is a predicate adjective after the linking verb ‘are’, describing the subject ‘flowers’.

Consider why it's beneficial to use predicate adjectives. They not only provide clarity but also reduce redundancy in descriptions, creating smooth and expressive sentences. Perfecting this grammar point enhances both writing and comprehension skills.

Practicing these exercises regularly will improve your skill in efficiently using predicate adjectives to convey detailed descriptions and enrich your sentence structure with clarity.

Predicative adjectives - Key takeaways

Predicate Adjectives Definition: Adjectives that follow a linking verb and modify the subject by giving additional information.
Predicate Adjective Examples: In 'The sky is blue,' 'blue' is a predicate adjective following the linking verb 'is'.
Function: They complete predicates by offering descriptive details, clarifying and enhancing sentence meaning.
Common Linking Verbs: 'is', 'seem', 'become', and 'feel' often precede predicate adjectives.
Exercises: Identifying predicate adjectives in sentences helps solidify understanding of their function and correct usage.

Predicative adjectives

StudySmarter Editorial Team