Adjectives: Predicate Adjective

This is a special type of adjective that follows a linking verb and modifies (directly refers to) the subject of the sentence.

[In the following examples, the predicate adjective is bold and the subject/noun is underlined.]

People are interested in this game.

• ARE is a linking verb connecting the subject PEOPLE with its descriptor of equal weight INTERESTED.

• Note: The descriptor is an adjective; therefore, it is a predicate adjective. A noun would be a predicate nominative.

Watching the championship was fun.

• WAS is a linking verb connecting the subject WATCHING with its descriptor of equal weight FUN.

• Note: WATCHING is the form of a verb used as a noun—a gerund.

Don argues that cheering for a team can be nerve-wracking, too.

• CAN BE is a linking verb connecting the subject CHEERING with its descriptor of equal weight NERVE-WRACKING.

• Note: CHEERING is the form of a verb used as a noun—a gerund.

If you‘re not careful, the whole group is going to judge you on what you do on this day.

• ARE in the contraction YOU’RE is a linking verb connecting the subject YOU with its descriptor of equal weight CAREFUL.

The two teams look very similar in the tempo that they play.

• LOOK is a linking verb connecting the subject TEAMS with its descriptor of equal weight SIMILAR.

• Note: TO BE is not the only linking verb.

Stan does not seem scared of them.

• DOES SEEM is a linking verb connecting the subject STAN with its descriptor of equal weight SCARED.

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