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.