Predicate Nominative: Definition, Usage, and Examples

Understanding the predicate nominative is crucial for mastering sentence structure and ensuring grammatical accuracy in English. This grammatical element links back to the subject, providing essential information and contributing to sentence clarity.

Whether you’re a student, a writer, or simply someone looking to improve your English skills, a firm grasp of predicate nominatives will enhance your ability to construct precise and meaningful sentences. This article will provide a comprehensive guide, covering definitions, examples, usage rules, common mistakes, and practice exercises to solidify your understanding.

1. Definition of Predicate Nominative
2. Structural Breakdown
3. Types and Categories
4. Examples of Predicate Nominatives
5. Usage Rules
6. Common Mistakes
7. Practice Exercises
8. Advanced Topics
9. FAQ
10. Conclusion

1. Definition of Predicate Nominative

A predicate nominative, also known as a predicate noun, is a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject of the sentence. It provides further information about the subject, essentially stating that the subject is the predicate nominative. Understanding this concept is vital for constructing grammatically sound and informative sentences.

1.1 Classification

Predicate nominatives are classified as a type of subject complement. Subject complements are words or groups of words that follow a linking verb and describe or identify the subject.

Unlike predicate adjectives, which describe the subject, predicate nominatives rename or identify it.

1.2 Function

The primary function of a predicate nominative is to provide additional information about the subject of the sentence. It clarifies the subject’s identity or role, offering a deeper understanding of who or what the subject is.

This helps to create a more complete and descriptive sentence.

1.3 Contexts

Predicate nominatives are commonly found in sentences that define, explain, or identify something. They are frequently used in definitions, descriptions, and explanations across various writing styles, including academic, journalistic, and creative writing.

They are found in simple, complex, and compound sentences, though they are most easily identifiable in simpler sentence structures.

2. Structural Breakdown

The basic structure of a sentence containing a predicate nominative is relatively straightforward. It typically follows a specific pattern that is easy to identify once you understand the components.

2.1 Subject + Linking Verb + Predicate Nominative

The standard formula for a sentence with a predicate nominative is: Subject + Linking Verb + Predicate Nominative. The subject is what the sentence is about. The linking verb connects the subject to the predicate nominative, and the predicate nominative renames or identifies the subject.

For example, in the sentence “She is the doctor,” “She” is the subject, “is” is the linking verb, and “doctor” is the predicate nominative. The predicate nominative, “doctor,” identifies who “she” is.

2.2 Identifying the Subject

The subject of a sentence is the noun or pronoun that performs the action or is described by the verb. It is essential to correctly identify the subject to understand the relationship between it and the predicate nominative.

The subject usually comes before the linking verb, but there can be exceptions, such as in questions.

2.3 Understanding Linking Verbs

Linking verbs are verbs that connect the subject to a noun or adjective that describes or renames the subject. They do not show action. Common linking verbs include be (is, am, are, was, were, been, being), become, seem, appear, look, sound, smell, taste, and feel. Recognizing these verbs is crucial for identifying predicate nominatives.

Consider the sentence, “The cake tastes delicious.” Here, “tastes” is a linking verb that connects “cake” to the adjective “delicious.” However, if the sentence were “The cake is a masterpiece,” “is” would be the linking verb, and “masterpiece” would be the predicate nominative.

3. Types and Categories

Predicate nominatives can be categorized based on the type of word or phrase that functions as the predicate nominative. The most common types are nouns, pronouns, and noun phrases.

3.1 Nouns as Predicate Nominatives

Nouns are the most common type of predicate nominative. A noun in this role renames or identifies the subject of the sentence.

This provides a clear and direct identification.

For example, “My favorite sport is basketball.” Here, “basketball” (a noun) renames the subject “My favorite sport.”

3.2 Pronouns as Predicate Nominatives

Pronouns can also function as predicate nominatives. In this case, the pronoun renames or identifies the subject, often providing information about identity or role.

The pronoun must be in the nominative case (I, he, she, we, they, it, who).

For example, “The winner is she.” Here, “she” (a pronoun) identifies the winner.

3.3 Noun Phrases as Predicate Nominatives

A noun phrase is a group of words that functions as a noun. When a noun phrase serves as a predicate nominative, it renames or identifies the subject using a more descriptive phrase.

For example, “His greatest achievement was becoming the CEO of the company.” Here, “becoming the CEO of the company” (a noun phrase) identifies his greatest achievement.

4. Examples of Predicate Nominatives

To further illustrate the concept of predicate nominatives, here are several examples categorized by type and complexity.

4.1 Noun Examples

The following table provides examples of sentences where nouns serve as predicate nominatives. These examples showcase how a noun can rename or identify the subject, providing clarity and definition.

Sentence	Subject	Linking Verb	Predicate Nominative
My father is a teacher.	My father	is	teacher
The capital of France is Paris.	The capital of France	is	Paris
Her favorite color is blue.	Her favorite color	is	blue
That man is the manager.	That man	is	manager
This dessert is a delight.	This dessert	is	delight
The movie was a masterpiece.	The movie	was	masterpiece
Our goal is success.	Our goal	is	success
The solution is simplicity.	The solution	is	simplicity
His dream is travel.	His dream	is	travel
The answer is courage.	The answer	is	courage
My dog is a golden retriever.	My dog	is	golden retriever
That building is the library.	That building	is	library
This flower is a rose.	This flower	is	rose
The car is a convertible.	The car	is	convertible
Their leader is a visionary.	Their leader	is	visionary
This city is a metropolis.	This city	is	metropolis
The problem is inflation.	The problem	is	inflation
Her job is journalism.	Her job	is	journalism
His passion is music.	His passion	is	music
That sound is thunder.	That sound	is	thunder
The author is J.K. Rowling.	The author	is	J.K. Rowling
My favorite food is pizza.	My favorite food	is	pizza
The game was a tie.	The game	was	tie
The outcome is success.	The outcome	is	success
The project is a failure.	The project	is	failure

4.2 Pronoun Examples

The following table demonstrates the use of pronouns as predicate nominatives. Remember that pronouns used as predicate nominatives must be in the nominative case.

Sentence	Subject	Linking Verb	Predicate Nominative
The winner is she.	The winner	is	she
It is I.	It	is	I
The best student is he.	The best student	is	he
If I were you, I’d say it’s they.	It	is	they
Who is it? It is I.	It	is	I
The culprit is he.	The culprit	is	he
The person responsible is she.	The person responsible	is	she
The new champion is he.	The new champion	is	he
The applicant with the highest score is she.	The applicant with the highest score	is	she
The one who called is I.	The one who called	is	I
It may be they.	It	may be	they
The last one standing was he.	The last one standing	was	he
The loudest voice was she.	The loudest voice	was	she
The anonymous donor is believed to be he.	The anonymous donor	is believed to be	he
The person in charge is usually she.	The person in charge	is	she
The real mastermind is he.	The real mastermind	is	he
The most dedicated volunteer is she.	The most dedicated volunteer	is	she
The first to arrive was definitely he.	The first to arrive	was	he
The top performer is consistently she.	The top performer	is	she
The one who knows the answer is he.	The one who knows the answer	is	he

4.3 Noun Phrase Examples

The following table provides examples of noun phrases functioning as predicate nominatives. These phrases offer a more detailed renaming or identification of the subject.

Sentence	Subject	Linking Verb	Predicate Nominative
His greatest ambition is becoming a doctor.	His greatest ambition	is	becoming a doctor
Her favorite activity is reading books.	Her favorite activity	is	reading books
The main problem is lack of funding.	The main problem	is	lack of funding
My biggest fear is losing my family.	My biggest fear	is	losing my family
Their main goal is achieving world peace.	Their main goal	is	achieving world peace
The key to success is hard work and dedication.	The key to success	is	hard work and dedication
Her life’s work is helping the homeless.	Her life’s work	is	helping the homeless
My greatest joy is spending time with my children.	My greatest joy	is	spending time with my children
The most important thing is staying healthy.	The most important thing	is	staying healthy
His current focus is finishing his degree.	His current focus	is	finishing his degree
The best approach is taking things one step at a time.	The best approach	is	taking things one step at a time
The ultimate reward is knowing you made a difference.	The ultimate reward	is	knowing you made a difference
Our biggest challenge is overcoming our fears.	Our biggest challenge	is	overcoming our fears
The primary concern is ensuring everyone’s safety.	The primary concern	is	ensuring everyone’s safety
Her lifelong dream is traveling around the world.	Her lifelong dream	is	traveling around the world
The most effective method is practicing consistently.	The most effective method	is	practicing consistently
Their top priority is delivering excellent customer service.	Their top priority	is	delivering excellent customer service
The fundamental requirement is having a strong work ethic.	The fundamental requirement	is	having a strong work ethic
My main objective is improving my communication skills.	My main objective	is	improving my communication skills
The only solution is finding a compromise that works for everyone.	The only solution	is	finding a compromise that works for everyone
His greatest skill is solving complex problems.	His greatest skill	is	solving complex problems
The best way to learn is making mistakes and learning from them.	The best way to learn	is	making mistakes and learning from them
Their immediate need is securing additional resources.	Their immediate need	is	securing additional resources
The best opportunity is investing in renewable energy.	The best opportunity	is	investing in renewable energy

4.4 Complex Sentence Examples

The following examples demonstrate predicate nominatives in more complex sentences, showing how they function within varied sentence structures. These examples include clauses and phrases that add depth to the sentences.

4.5 Examples in Varied Contexts

This section showcases predicate nominatives in different contexts, demonstrating their versatility in various writing styles and situations.

Context	Sentence	Subject	Linking Verb	Predicate Nominative
Definition	A sonnet is a fourteen-line poem.	A sonnet	is	a fourteen-line poem
Identification	The president of the company is Mr. Smith.	The president of the company	is	Mr. Smith
Explanation	The problem was a misunderstanding.	The problem	was	a misunderstanding
Description	Her greatest joy is her family.	Her greatest joy	is	her family
Academic Writing	The hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon.	The hypothesis	is	a proposed explanation for a phenomenon
Journalistic Writing	The new CEO is a renowned economist.	The new CEO	is	a renowned economist
Creative Writing	The answer was silence.	The answer	was	silence
Business Communication	Our primary objective is customer satisfaction.	Our primary objective	is	customer satisfaction
Legal Document	The defendant is the individual named in the lawsuit.	The defendant	is	the individual named in the lawsuit
Medical Report	The diagnosis is a common cold.	The diagnosis	is	a common cold

5. Usage Rules

Proper usage of predicate nominatives involves adhering to certain grammatical rules to ensure clarity and correctness. These rules primarily concern agreement, case, and number.

5.1 Agreement with the Subject

The predicate nominative should logically agree with the subject in terms of identity or classification. It should make sense that the predicate nominative is renaming or identifying the subject.

If the relationship is illogical, the sentence may be grammatically incorrect or confusing.

For example, “My favorite food is astrophysics” is incorrect because “astrophysics” cannot logically be a type of food.

5.2 Case of Pronouns

When using pronouns as predicate nominatives, it is essential to use the nominative case (I, he, she, we, they, it, who). Using the objective case (me, him, her, us, them, it, whom) is a common error.

Correct: “The winner is she.”
Incorrect: “The winner is her.”

5.3 Number Agreement

While not a strict rule, it’s important to consider whether the predicate nominative logically aligns in number (singular or plural) with the subject, particularly when the subject is a collective noun or indefinite pronoun.

For instance, if the subject is “the team,” and it refers to a single entity acting together, a singular predicate nominative might be appropriate (e.g., “The team is the champion.”). However, if the focus is on the individual members, a plural predicate nominative might be more suitable, though less common in this construction.

5.4 Formal Writing Considerations

In formal writing, it is particularly important to adhere strictly to the rules regarding pronoun case. While some informal contexts might tolerate the use of objective case pronouns after linking verbs, formal writing requires the nominative case for predicate nominatives to maintain a professional and grammatically correct tone.

6. Common Mistakes

Several common mistakes can occur when using predicate nominatives. Recognizing these errors and understanding how to correct them is crucial for improving your writing skills.

6.1 Confusing with Predicate Adjectives

One common mistake is confusing predicate nominatives with predicate adjectives. A predicate adjective describes the subject, while a predicate nominative renames or identifies it.

Predicate adjectives modify the subject, while predicate nominatives equate to the subject.

Correct (Predicate Nominative): “My favorite color is blue.” (Blue identifies the color)

Correct (Predicate Adjective): “The sky is blue.” (Blue describes the sky)

6.2 Using Objective Case Pronouns

Using objective case pronouns (me, him, her, us, them, whom) instead of nominative case pronouns (I, he, she, we, they, who) is a frequent error. The predicate nominative must be in the nominative case.

Correct: “It is I.“

Incorrect: “It is me.“

6.3 Subject-Verb Disagreement

Although the predicate nominative itself doesn’t directly affect subject-verb agreement, incorrectly identifying the subject can lead to errors. Ensure the verb agrees with the actual subject of the sentence, not the predicate nominative.

Correct: “The problem is rising costs.” (Singular subject “problem” agrees with singular verb “is”)

Incorrect: “The problem are rising costs.” (Subject and verb do not agree)

7. Practice Exercises

These practice exercises will help you solidify your understanding of predicate nominatives. Each exercise focuses on a different aspect of identifying and using predicate nominatives correctly.

7.1 Exercise 1: Identifying Predicate Nominatives

Identify the predicate nominative in each of the following sentences. If a sentence does not contain a predicate nominative, write “None.”

Question	Answer
1. My favorite hobby is gardening.	gardening
2. The weather is cold.	None
3. The winner is she.	she
4. Her dream is to become a doctor.	to become a doctor
5. The cake tastes delicious.	None
6. The capital of Italy is Rome.	Rome
7. He is a teacher.	teacher
8. It was they.	they
9. The sky is blue.	None
10. My goal is success.	success

7.2 Exercise 2: Completing Sentences

Complete each sentence with a suitable predicate nominative.

Question	Answer
1. My favorite sport is __________.	basketball
2. The solution is __________.	simplicity
3. The best student is __________.	he
4. Her ambition is __________.	becoming a lawyer
5. The problem is __________.	lack of communication
6. Their leader is __________.	a visionary
7. The winner of the contest is __________.	she
8. His greatest fear is __________.	failure
9. The key to success is __________.	hard work
10. What I want to be is __________.	an engineer

7.

3 Exercise 3: Correcting Errors

Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences. Focus on errors related to predicate nominatives.

Question	Corrected Answer
1. The winner is her.	The winner is she.
2. My favorite color it is green.	My favorite color is green.
3. The problem are high costs.	The problem is high costs.
4. It is me who is responsible.	It is I who is responsible.
5. Her dream is be a dancer.	Her dream is to be a dancer.
6. The solution are more resources.	The solution is more resources.
7. The best player it was him.	The best player was he.
8. What she wants is become a doctor.	What she wants is to become a doctor.
9. The reason is because they are late.	The reason is that they are late.
10. It was us who made the mistake.	It was we who made the mistake.

8. Advanced Topics

For those looking to delve deeper into the nuances of predicate nominatives, this section explores some advanced topics, including their relationship with appositives, their use in complex sentences, and their role as literary devices.

8.1 Predicate Nominatives and Appositives

Predicate nominatives and appositives both rename or identify nouns, but they function differently within a sentence. A predicate nominative follows a linking verb and renames the subject, while an appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames another noun directly and is usually set off by commas.

Predicate Nominative: “Mr. Smith is the manager.” (Manager renames Mr. Smith via the linking verb “is”)

Appositive: “Mr. Smith, the manager, is very efficient.” (Manager renames Mr. Smith directly, set off by commas)

8.2 Predicate Nominatives in Complex Sentences

In complex sentences, predicate nominatives can appear in either the main clause or the subordinate clause. Identifying them correctly requires understanding the structure of the sentence and the role of each clause.

Example: “What she became, after years of hard work, was a successful entrepreneur.” (Predicate nominative “entrepreneur” renames “what she became” in the main clause)

8.3 Predicate Nominatives as Literary Devices

Predicate nominatives can be used as literary devices to create emphasis, reveal character, or add depth to a narrative. By strategically renaming or identifying the subject, authors can highlight important aspects of the story or convey deeper meaning.

Example: “Hope was the only thing she had left.” (The predicate nominative “thing she had left” emphasizes the importance and singularity of hope in her situation.)

9. FAQ

What is the difference between a predicate nominative and a direct object?

A predicate nominative renames the subject and follows a linking verb, while a direct object receives the action of an action verb. The predicate nominative provides more information about the subject, whereas the direct object is the receiver of the verb’s action.

For example:

Predicate Nominative: “She is the doctor.” (Doctor renames she)

Direct Object: “She visited the doctor.” (Doctor receives the action of visited)

How can I identify a linking verb?

Linking verbs connect the subject to a noun or adjective that describes or renames the subject. Common linking verbs include forms of “be” (is, am, are, was, were, been, being), “become,” and “seem.” Other verbs can act as linking verbs when they describe a state of being rather than an action, such as “look,” “sound,” “smell,” “taste,” and “feel.”

Can a predicate nominative be a phrase?

Yes, a predicate nominative can be a phrase, specifically a noun phrase. A noun phrase is a group of words that functions as a noun and can rename or identify the subject of the sentence.

Is it always necessary for the predicate nominative to agree in number with the subject?

While not a strict grammatical rule, it’s important to consider the logical alignment in number between the subject and the predicate nominative. The predicate nominative should make sense as a renaming of the subject, which often implies a logical consistency in number.

What is the difference between a predicate nominative and a predicate adjective?

A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that renames or identifies the subject, whereas a predicate adjective is an adjective that describes the subject. The predicate nominative tells us what the subject is, while the predicate adjective tells us what the subject is like.

Why is it important to use the nominative case for pronouns as predicate nominatives?

Using the nominative case for pronouns as predicate nominatives is a matter of grammatical correctness. The nominative case (I, he, she, we, they, it, who) is used for subjects and predicate nominatives.

Using the objective case (me, him, her, us, them, it, whom) is grammatically incorrect in this context.

10. Conclusion

Understanding and correctly using predicate nominatives is essential for constructing clear, grammatically sound sentences. By mastering the identification, types, and usage rules of predicate nominatives, you can enhance your writing skills and communicate more effectively.

This comprehensive guide has provided you with the knowledge and practice needed to confidently use predicate nominatives in various contexts. Continue to practice and refine your understanding to further improve your command of the English language.

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