In grammar, a subject complement is a word or group of words that follows a linking verb and provides essential information about the subject. More than that, it also helps to complete the meaning of the subject.
Subject complements play a vital role in sentence structure by adding depth and context to the subject. Furthermore, they provide valuable information that helps readers understand the subject’s characteristics, identity, or state.
In this post, Fun English Course will discuss more subject complement examples so you can gain a deeper understanding.
Understanding Subject Complement
Subject complements enhance sentence meaning by connecting the subject to the rest of the sentence. They reveal more about the subject and enrich the overall comprehension of the sentence.
“Moreover, the subject complement functions as a modifier that describes or renames the subject of the sentence. Therefore, it completes the subject-verb relationship, often providing additional details about the subject.”
2 Types of Subject Complement
There are two main types of subject complements: predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives.
1. Predicate Nominative
A predicate nominative is a noun/pronoun that renames or identifies the subject of the sentence. More than that, it functions as a subject complement by restating the subject with more specificity or clarity.
Predicate nominatives are often used with linking verbs such as “is,” “am,” “are,” “was,” “were,” “become,” “seem,” “appear,” and others.
Here are noun as subject complement examples:
- John is a doctor.
In this sentence, “John” is the subject, “is” is the linking verb, and “a doctor” is the predicate nominative that identifies the subject “John.”
- She became an architect.
In this example, “She” is the subject, “became” is the linking verb, and “an architect” is the predicate nominative that identifies the subject “She.”
2. Predicate Adjective
A subject complement created from an adjective that modifies or describes the subject of the sentence is called a predicate adjective. Moreover, it functions as a subject complement by providing additional information about the subject’s qualities, characteristics, or states.
Predicate adjectives are also used with linking verbs.
Here are adjective as subject complement examples:
- The weather is sunny.
Here, “The weather” is the subject, “is” is the linking verb, and “sunny” is the predicate adjective that describes the subject “The weather.”
- The cake smells delicious.
In this sentence, “The cake” is the subject, “smells” is the linking verb, and “delicious” is the predicate adjective that describes the subject “The cake.”
Identifying Subject Complement
It is important to note that subject complements are used only with linking verbs (also known as copulative verbs). For your information, a linking verb does not show action but instead it connects the subject to more information.
Examples of linking verbs include “is,” “am,” “are,” “was,” “were,” “become,” “seem,” “appear,” “feel,” “look,” “smell,” “taste,” and others.
So, to identify the subject complement, first, recognize the linking verb in the sentence. Linking verbs connect the subject to the subject complement.
Here are subject linking verb complement examples:
- The cake smells (linking verb) delicious (subject complement).
In this sentence, “smells” is the linking verb that connects the subject “The cake” to the subject complement “delicious.”
- She became (linking verb) a teacher (subject complement).
In this sentence, “She” is the subject, “became” is the linking verb, and “a teacher” is the predicate nominative that renames the subject.
- The ocean water feels (linking verb) cold (subject complement)
Here, “The ocean water” is the subject, “feels” is the linking verb, and “cold” is the predicate adjective that describes the subject.
Conclusion
Understanding the different types of subject complements can let you craft more expressive sentences.
More than that, the use of subject complements adds depth and context to sentences. Thus, it further contributes to effective communication and enriched language proficiency.
By learning and practicing everyday, you will level your language acquisition up. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s learn more about subject complement at Fun English Course!