A predicate nominative renames the subject of the sentence. This grammatical element acts as a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb, serving to identify or redefine the subject by providing an equivalent term for it.
Understanding Predicate Nominatives
Also known as predicate nouns, predicate nominatives are essential components of certain sentence structures. They always appear after a linking verb, which connects the subject to a noun or pronoun that renames or describes it, rather than showing an action.
- Function: Their primary role is to restate or clarify the identity of the sentence's subject.
- Composition: A predicate nominative is always a noun or a pronoun.
- Placement: They consistently follow a linking verb (such as is, are, was, were, become, seem, appear, feel, grow, look, remain, smell, sound, taste, turn).
How Predicate Nominatives Work
When a predicate nominative is used, it essentially equates the subject with the noun or pronoun that follows the linking verb. The linking verb acts like an "equals sign" in the sentence, showing that the subject and the predicate nominative refer to the same person, place, thing, or idea.
Consider these key aspects:
- Identification: They help identify who or what the subject is.
- Renaming: They provide an alternative name or classification for the subject.
- Clarity: They add clarity and precision to the sentence by giving more information about the subject's identity.
Examples of Predicate Nominatives
To illustrate how predicate nominatives rename the subject, examine the examples in the table below:
| Sentence | Subject | Linking Verb | Predicate Nominative | Renames/Identifies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah is a doctor. | Sarah | is | doctor | Sarah |
| My brother became a teacher. | brother | became | teacher | My brother |
| The capital of France is Paris. | capital | is | Paris | The capital |
| It was she who called. | It | was | she | It |
| Our main goal remains success. | goal | remains | success | Our main goal |
In each example, the word in bold after the linking verb directly renames or identifies the subject of the sentence. For instance, "doctor" renames "Sarah," and "Paris" renames "the capital of France."
Practical Insights
Understanding predicate nominatives is crucial for mastering sentence structure and ensuring grammatical accuracy. Here's why they are important:
- Avoiding Ambiguity: They provide a clear and direct identification of the subject, preventing misunderstandings.
- Sentence Construction: Recognizing them helps in constructing grammatically correct sentences, especially when dealing with linking verbs.
- Subject-Verb Agreement: While not directly related to agreement, knowing the subject helps in ensuring the linking verb agrees with the subject, not the predicate nominative (e.g., The boys are the problem, not The problem are the boys).
- Pronoun Case: It guides the correct usage of pronoun cases; after a linking verb, a predicate nominative pronoun should always be in the subjective case (e.g., It was I, not It was me).
By renaming the subject, predicate nominatives provide essential information that completes the meaning of sentences containing linking verbs, making the subject's identity clear and precise.
