Understanding the structure of a sentence is essential for writing and speaking English correctly. One of the elements that plays a key role in sentence construction is thepredicate adjective. A predicate adjective follows a linking verb and describes the subject of the sentence. It helps add meaning, detail, and clarity to what we are saying. Recognizing predicate adjectives and using them accurately enhances both spoken and written communication, making language more precise and descriptive.
What Is a Predicate Adjective?
Apredicate adjectiveis an adjective that appears in the predicate part of a sentence and modifies the subject. It follows a linking verb and gives information about the subject’s state, condition, or characteristics.
Structure of Predicate Adjective Sentences
The basic structure of a sentence containing a predicate adjective is
- Subject + Linking Verb + Predicate Adjective
Linking verbs includeis, are, was, were, be, being, been, become, seem, appear, feel, taste, look, sound, and others that do not show action but connect the subject to its description.
Example
- The soupsmells delicious. (delicious” is the predicate adjective describing “soup”)
- Shelooks tired. (“tired” is the predicate adjective modifying “she”)
Recognizing Predicate Adjectives
Predicate adjectives are easy to identify when you know what to look for. First, find the subject and the linking verb. Then check whether the word that follows describes the subject.
Examples of Common Predicate Adjectives
- happy
- hungry
- tall
- nervous
- quiet
- interesting
These adjectives are not directly placed before a noun. Instead, they follow a linking verb and describe the subject indirectly.
Examples in Full Sentences
Simple Predicate Adjective Sentences
- The cakeis sweet.
- His explanationseems unclear.
- The flowerslook beautiful.
- The childrenare excited.
- My brotheris funny.
In each of these examples, the adjective follows a linking verb and describes the subject.
Complex Predicate Adjective Sentences
- Although the journey was long, the scenerywas breathtaking.
- After working all night, shefelt exhausted.
- Despite the delay, the guestsremained calm.
Even in complex sentences, predicate adjectives maintain the same function describing the subject through the predicate.
Common Linking Verbs with Predicate Adjectives
Understanding which verbs are linking verbs is essential for identifying predicate adjectives. Here are some of the most commonly used linking verbs that are followed by predicate adjectives
- Be(is, am, are, was, were, been)
- Become
- Seem
- Appear
- Feel
- Look
- Smell
- Sound
- Taste
These verbs do not express actions but rather connect the subject to a state or condition.
Example Sentences with Different Linking Verbs
- Heseems confused.
- Theyare cold.
- The roomsmells fresh.
- The musicsounds peaceful.
Predicate Adjectives vs. Attributive Adjectives
It’s important to distinguish between predicate adjectives and attributive adjectives. Attributive adjectives comebeforea noun and are part of the noun phrase, while predicate adjectives follow a linking verb.
Examples
- AttributiveThecoldwater is refreshing. (“cold” describes “water” directly)
- PredicateThe wateris cold. (“cold” is a predicate adjective describing the subject)
Although both are adjectives, their position and grammatical function in a sentence are different.
Why Predicate Adjectives Matter
Using predicate adjectives allows writers and speakers to describe conditions, emotions, or qualities without repeating the subject or adding extra phrases. This makes language more concise and elegant. Predicate adjectives are useful in all forms of communication whether telling a story, writing a report, or describing an experience.
Benefits of Learning Predicate Adjectives
- Improves grammar and sentence structure
- Enhances descriptive writing
- Helps convey emotions and states clearly
- Useful for writing essays and creative stories
Practice Exercise
Try identifying the predicate adjective in each sentence
- The sky is blue.
- She became nervous before the interview.
- The soup smells delicious.
- The students seem tired.
- He looks unhappy today.
Answers
- blue
- nervous
- delicious
- tired
- unhappy
Predicate adjectives are an essential part of English sentence structure. They follow linking verbs and describe or qualify the subject of a sentence. By learning to identify and use predicate adjectives correctly, you can make your writing and speech more expressive and grammatically accurate. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply someone looking to improve your English skills, understanding predicate adjectives is a valuable tool for clearer communication. Practice regularly by reading, writing, and creating your own sentences using this important grammatical element.