Mastering Predicate Adjectives: Definition, Usage, and Examples

Predicate adjectives are a crucial component of English grammar, enriching sentences by describing the subject. Understanding their function and proper usage is essential for clear and effective communication.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to predicate adjectives, covering their definition, structure, types, usage rules, common mistakes, and practice exercises. Whether you’re a student, a writer, or simply looking to improve your English skills, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools to confidently use predicate adjectives.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition of Predicate Adjectives
• Structural Breakdown
• Types and Categories
• Examples of Predicate Adjectives
• Usage Rules
• Common Mistakes
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Introduction

Predicate adjectives play a vital role in descriptive writing and everyday conversation. They add detail and nuance to our language, allowing us to paint vivid pictures with words.

A solid grasp of predicate adjectives empowers you to express yourself more accurately and engagingly. This comprehensive guide is designed to help you master the intricacies of predicate adjectives, from their basic definition to advanced usage scenarios.

Whether you are an ESL learner, a student studying for exams, or a professional aiming to refine your writing, this article will provide you with the necessary knowledge and practical exercises to confidently incorporate predicate adjectives into your language skills.

Definition of Predicate Adjectives

A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and modifies the subject of the sentence. Unlike attributive adjectives, which precede the noun they modify (e.g., “the red car”), predicate adjectives are located in the predicate of the sentence and are connected to the subject through a linking verb. These verbs, such as be, seem, appear, become, feel, look, smell, taste, and sound, do not express action but rather connect the subject to a description or state of being.

In essence, the predicate adjective describes a quality or characteristic of the subject, providing further information about it. Therefore, understanding linking verbs is crucial for identifying predicate adjectives within a sentence.

They complete the meaning of the sentence by ascribing an attribute to the subject. This function differentiates them from other types of adjectives and makes them essential for descriptive writing.

Classification

Predicate adjectives are classified as part of the subject complement, which is a word or group of words that follows a linking verb and renames or describes the subject. The subject complement can be a noun (predicate nominative or predicate noun) or an adjective (predicate adjective).

In the case of predicate adjectives, the complement is an adjective that modifies the subject.

Function

The primary function of a predicate adjective is to describe the subject of a sentence. This description can relate to the subject’s appearance, condition, state of mind, or any other attribute that can be expressed through an adjective.

By using predicate adjectives, writers and speakers can provide a more complete and nuanced picture of the subject, enhancing the clarity and impact of their communication.

Contexts

Predicate adjectives are used in a wide variety of contexts, from simple everyday conversations to complex literary works. They are particularly common in descriptive writing, where they help to create vivid images and convey specific moods or emotions.

They are also frequently used in informative writing, to provide details and explanations about the subject being discussed. Legal, scientific, and technical writing also may use predicate adjectives for precision.

Structural Breakdown

The basic structure of a sentence containing a predicate adjective is: Subject + Linking Verb + Predicate Adjective. This structure is relatively straightforward, but it is important to understand the role of each element in order to correctly identify and use predicate adjectives.

Subject: The subject is the noun or pronoun that the sentence is about. It performs the action (if there is one) or is described by the predicate adjective.

Linking Verb: The linking verb connects the subject to the predicate adjective. It does not express action but rather indicates a state of being or a relationship between the subject and the adjective. Common linking verbs include forms of be (am, is, are, was, were, been, being), seem, appear, become, feel, look, smell, taste, and sound.

Predicate Adjective: The predicate adjective is the adjective that describes the subject. It follows the linking verb and provides information about the subject’s qualities or characteristics. It is essential that the predicate adjective modifies the subject and not another word in the sentence. This can be tested by mentally replacing the linking verb with an equals sign (=). If the sentence makes sense, then the adjective is likely a predicate adjective (e.g., “The soup is hot” can be thought of as “The soup = hot”).

Patterns and Rules

There are several patterns and rules to keep in mind when working with predicate adjectives:

• Singular Subjects: With singular subjects, use singular forms of linking verbs (e.g., “He is tall”).
• Plural Subjects: With plural subjects, use plural forms of linking verbs (e.g., “They are happy”).
• Compound Subjects: With compound subjects joined by “and,” use plural forms of linking verbs (e.g., “John and Mary are tired”).
• Compound Subjects with “or” or “nor”: When using “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it (e.g., “Neither John nor his friends are ready”).
• Phrases between Subject and Verb: Phrases between the subject and verb do not affect verb agreement (e.g., “The book, along with the pen, is on the table”).

Types and Categories

While predicate adjectives themselves don’t have distinct “types” in the same way that nouns or verbs do, it’s helpful to categorize them based on the kind of description they provide. This can aid in understanding their usage and selecting the most appropriate adjective for a given context.

Descriptive Adjectives

These are the most common type of predicate adjectives. They describe the physical appearance, qualities, or characteristics of the subject. Examples include tall, beautiful, intelligent, heavy, and colorful.

Adjectives of State

These adjectives describe the condition or state of being of the subject. Examples include tired, sick, happy, sad, angry, and awake.

Adjectives of Feeling

While overlapping with adjectives of state, these specifically describe emotions or feelings experienced by the subject. Examples include anxious, excited, bored, frustrated, and grateful.

Adjectives of Opinion

These adjectives express a subjective judgment or opinion about the subject. Examples include good, bad, interesting, boring, delicious, and awful.

Adjectives of Origin

These adjectives indicate the origin or source of the subject. These are less common as predicate adjectives, but they can appear. Examples include American, French, Asian, and African.

Examples of Predicate Adjectives

Here are several examples of predicate adjectives in sentences, categorized by the type of adjective. Each table provides a diverse range of examples to illustrate the concept clearly.

Descriptive Adjectives Examples

The following table showcases sentences that use descriptive adjectives as predicate adjectives. Notice how each adjective describes a quality or characteristic of the subject.

Sentence	Subject	Linking Verb	Predicate Adjective
The sky is blue.	The sky	is	blue
The building appears tall.	The building	appears	tall
The flower smells fragrant.	The flower	smells	fragrant
Her hair is long.	Her hair	is	long
The car looks shiny.	The car	looks	shiny
The coffee tastes bitter.	The coffee	tastes	bitter
The music sounds loud.	The music	sounds	loud
The fabric feels soft.	The fabric	feels	soft
The painting seems colorful.	The painting	seems	colorful
The problem appears complex.	The problem	appears	complex
The solution is simple.	The solution	is	simple
The food tastes delicious.	The food	tastes	delicious
The idea sounds innovative.	The idea	sounds	innovative
The plan seems practical.	The plan	seems	practical
The weather feels warm.	The weather	feels	warm
The book is interesting.	The book	is	interesting
The movie appears entertaining.	The movie	appears	entertaining
The story sounds unbelievable.	The story	sounds	unbelievable
The question seems difficult.	The question	seems	difficult
The answer is correct.	The answer	is	correct
The room appears tidy.	The room	appears	tidy
The car is fast.	The car	is	fast
The house looks new.	The house	looks	new
The cake tastes sweet.	The cake	tastes	sweet
The music sounds beautiful.	The music	sounds	beautiful
The water feels cold.	The water	feels	cold
The design seems modern.	The design	seems	modern
The task appears easy.	The task	appears	easy
The code is clean.	The code	is	clean

Adjectives of State Examples

This table illustrates the use of adjectives of state as predicate adjectives. Each example describes the condition or state of being of the subject.

Sentence	Subject	Linking Verb	Predicate Adjective
He is tired.	He	is	tired
She seems sick.	She	seems	sick
They are happy.	They	are	happy
I feel sad.	I	feel	sad
The children appear restless.	The children	appear	restless
The patient is weak.	The patient	is	weak
The employees seem stressed.	The employees	seem	stressed
The food is stale.	The food	is	stale
The machine appears broken.	The machine	appears	broken
The door is open.	The door	is	open
The window is closed.	The window	is	closed
The computer seems slow.	The computer	seems	slow
The battery is dead.	The battery	is	dead
The plants appear dry.	The plants	appear	dry
The road is bumpy.	The road	is	bumpy
The situation seems stable.	The situation	seems	stable
The economy is strong.	The economy	is	strong
The market appears volatile.	The market	appears	volatile
The system is secure.	The system	is	secure
The network seems unstable.	The network	seems	unstable
The project is complete.	The project	is	complete
The task appears unfinished.	The task	appears	unfinished
The report is overdue.	The report	is	overdue
The deadline seems tight.	The deadline	seems	tight
The schedule is flexible.	The schedule	is	flexible
The agreement appears binding.	The agreement	appears	binding
The contract is valid.	The contract	is	valid
The law seems unclear.	The law	seems	unclear
The rule is strict.	The rule	is	strict

Adjectives of Feeling Examples

This table demonstrates the use of adjectives of feeling as predicate adjectives. Each sentence conveys an emotion or feeling experienced by the subject.

Sentence	Subject	Linking Verb	Predicate Adjective
I am anxious.	I	am	anxious
She feels excited.	She	feels	excited
He seems bored.	He	seems	bored
They are frustrated.	They	are	frustrated
We feel grateful.	We	feel	grateful
The audience appears enthusiastic.	The audience	appears	enthusiastic
The children are playful.	The children	are	playful
The team seems motivated.	The team	seems	motivated
The students are curious.	The students	are	curious
The customers appear satisfied.	The customers	appear	satisfied
The visitors are impressed.	The visitors	are	impressed
The employees feel valued.	The employees	feel	valued
The community seems supportive.	The community	seems	supportive
The atmosphere feels positive.	The atmosphere	feels	positive
The environment is welcoming.	The environment	is	welcoming
The experience seems rewarding.	The experience	seems	rewarding
The opportunity is promising.	The opportunity	is	promising
The future appears bright.	The future	appears	bright
The outlook is optimistic.	The outlook	is	optimistic
The mood feels celebratory.	The mood	feels	celebratory
The atmosphere is festive.	The atmosphere	is	festive
The event seems successful.	The event	seems	successful
The outcome is favorable.	The outcome	is	favorable
The result appears encouraging.	The result	appears	encouraging
The progress is steady.	The progress	is	steady
The pace seems sustainable.	The pace	seems	sustainable
The approach is effective.	The approach	is	effective
The strategy appears sound.	The strategy	appears	sound
The method is reliable.	The method	is	reliable

Adjectives of Opinion Examples

The following table provides sentences that use adjectives of opinion as predicate adjectives. These adjectives express a subjective judgment or opinion about the subject.

Sentence	Subject	Linking Verb	Predicate Adjective
The movie is good.	The movie	is	good
The food tastes delicious.	The food	tastes	delicious
The book seems interesting.	The book	seems	interesting
The idea sounds awful.	The idea	sounds	awful
The performance was bad.	The performance	was	bad
The artwork appears beautiful.	The artwork	appears	beautiful
The plan sounds brilliant.	The plan	sounds	brilliant
The solution is perfect.	The solution	is	perfect
The design seems elegant.	The design	seems	elegant
The music is wonderful.	The music	is	wonderful
The landscape appears stunning.	The landscape	appears	stunning
The view is breathtaking.	The view	is	breathtaking
The experience seems unforgettable.	The experience	seems	unforgettable
The moment is precious.	The moment	is	precious
The memory is cherished.	The memory	is	cherished
The opportunity is valuable.	The opportunity	is	valuable
The lesson seems insightful.	The lesson	seems	insightful
The advice is helpful.	The advice	is	helpful
The suggestion sounds practical.	The suggestion	sounds	practical
The approach is innovative.	The approach	is	innovative
The strategy seems effective.	The strategy	seems	effective
The method is reliable.	The method	is	reliable
The system appears efficient.	The system	appears	efficient
The process is streamlined.	The process	is	streamlined
The workflow seems organized.	The workflow	seems	organized
The environment is collaborative.	The environment	is	collaborative
The atmosphere feels welcoming.	The atmosphere	feels	welcoming
The community seems supportive.	The community	seems	supportive
The network is connected.	The network	is	connected

Usage Rules

Using predicate adjectives correctly involves understanding a few key rules. These rules ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity in your writing and speech.

• Agreement with the Subject: The predicate adjective must agree in number with the subject. If the subject is singular, the adjective should describe a singular entity; if the subject is plural, the adjective should describe a plural entity.
• Use of Linking Verbs: Predicate adjectives always follow linking verbs. Make sure the verb you use is indeed a linking verb (connecting the subject to a description) and not an action verb.
• Placement: The predicate adjective always comes after the linking verb. Avoid placing it before the verb or in another part of the sentence.
• Avoiding Adverbs: Do not use adverbs in place of predicate adjectives. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, not nouns or pronouns.

Exceptions and Special Cases

While the rules are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions and special cases to be aware of:

• Collective Nouns: When the subject is a collective noun (e.g., team, group, family), the verb and predicate adjective can be singular or plural depending on whether you are referring to the group as a single unit or as individual members.
• Sentences with “There”: In sentences that begin with “there,” the subject follows the verb. The predicate adjective should still agree with the subject, even though it comes after the verb.

Common Mistakes

Several common mistakes can occur when using predicate adjectives. Understanding these errors can help you avoid them in your own writing and speaking.

• Using Adverbs Instead of Adjectives: This is one of the most frequent errors. Remember that predicate adjectives describe the subject, while adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
• Incorrect Verb Agreement: Make sure the linking verb agrees in number with the subject.
• Misidentifying Linking Verbs: Confusing linking verbs with action verbs can lead to incorrect sentence structure and meaning.
• Incorrect Placement: Placing the adjective in the wrong part of the sentence can disrupt the flow and clarity of the sentence.

Here is a table illustrating some common mistakes and their corrections:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
He feels badly.	He feels bad.	“Badly” is an adverb; “bad” is the correct predicate adjective.
The flowers is beautiful.	The flowers are beautiful.	The verb “is” does not agree with the plural subject “flowers.”
She seems quick.	She seems quickly.	The predicate adjective must be an adjective and not an adverb.
Happy, they were.	They were happy.	The predicate adjective should follow the linking verb.
The food tastes deliciously.	The food tastes delicious.	“Deliciously” is an adverb; “delicious” is the correct predicate adjective.
The sky are blue.	The sky is blue.	The verb “are” does not agree with the singular subject “sky.”
They appears tired.	They appear tired.	The verb “appears” does not agree with the plural subject “they.”
The music sounds loudly.	The music sounds loud.	The predicate adjective must be an adjective and not an adverb.
The cake tastes sweetly.	The cake tastes sweet.	The predicate adjective must be an adjective and not an adverb.
The water feels coldly.	The water feels cold.	The predicate adjective must be an adjective and not an adverb.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of predicate adjectives with these practice exercises. Identify the predicate adjective in each sentence, or complete the sentence with an appropriate predicate adjective.

Exercise 1: Identifying Predicate Adjectives

Identify the predicate adjective in each of the following sentences:

Question	Answer
1. The soup is hot.	hot
2. She seems happy.	happy
3. The music sounds loud.	loud
4. The flowers are beautiful.	beautiful
5. He feels tired.	tired
6. The car looks shiny.	shiny
7. The coffee tastes bitter.	bitter
8. The fabric feels soft.	soft
9. The problem appears complex.	complex
10. The solution is simple.	simple

Exercise 2: Completing Sentences

Complete each of the following sentences with an appropriate predicate adjective:

Question	Answer
1. The sky is _____.	blue
2. The weather feels _____.	warm
3. The book seems _____.	interesting
4. The food tastes _____.	delicious
5. The idea sounds _____.	innovative
6. The plan seems _____.	practical
7. The movie appears _____.	entertaining
8. The story sounds _____.	unbelievable
9. The question seems _____.	difficult
10. The answer is _____.	correct

Exercise 3: Correcting Mistakes

Correct the following sentences, which contain errors in the use of predicate adjectives:

Question	Answer
1. He feels badly.	He feels bad.
2. The flowers is beautiful.	The flowers are beautiful.
3. She seems quick.	She seems quick.
4. Happy, they were.	They were happy.
5. The food tastes deliciously.	The food tastes delicious.
6. The sky are blue.	The sky is blue.
7. They appears tired.	They appear tired.
8. The music sounds loudly.	The music sounds loud.
9. The cake tastes sweetly.	The cake tastes sweet.
10. The water feels coldly.	The water feels cold.

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, there are some more complex aspects of predicate adjectives to explore. These include using multiple predicate adjectives in a sentence and understanding how predicate adjectives interact with other grammatical structures.

Multiple Predicate Adjectives

It is possible to use multiple predicate adjectives to describe the subject of a sentence. When doing so, separate the adjectives with commas, except for the last adjective, which is preceded by “and.”

Example: “The house is big, beautiful, and expensive.”

Predicate Adjectives in Complex Sentences

Predicate adjectives can also be used in complex sentences, where they may be part of a dependent clause. In these cases, it is important to correctly identify the subject and linking verb within the clause to ensure proper usage.

Example: “Because she is intelligent and hardworking, she is successful.”

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about predicate adjectives:

1. What is the difference between a predicate adjective and an attributive adjective?

   An attributive adjective precedes the noun it modifies (e.g., “the red car”), while a predicate adjective follows a linking verb and describes the subject (e.g., “The car is red“).

2. What are

   some common linking verbs?

   Common linking verbs include forms of be (am, is, are, was, were, been, being), seem, appear, become, feel, look, smell, taste, and sound.

3. Can a sentence have more than one predicate adjective?

   Yes, a sentence can have multiple predicate adjectives to provide a more detailed description of the subject (e.g., “The house is large, beautiful, and well-maintained”).

4. How do I avoid using adverbs instead of predicate adjectives?

   Ensure that the word following the linking verb describes the subject, not the verb itself. If it describes the manner in which the verb is performed, it should be an adverb; if it describes the subject’s state or quality, it should be an adjective.

5. Are predicate adjectives always necessary in a sentence?

   No, predicate adjectives are not always necessary, but they add descriptive detail and can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

Conclusion

Predicate adjectives are essential for adding depth and detail to your writing and speech. By understanding their definition, structure, types, usage rules, and common mistakes, you can confidently incorporate them into your language skills.

Regular practice and attention to detail will help you master the art of using predicate adjectives effectively. From descriptive writing to everyday conversations, predicate adjectives are a valuable tool for expressing yourself clearly and engagingly.

Embrace this knowledge and continue to refine your understanding of English grammar for enhanced communication.