As a linguistic expert with a deep understanding of the English language, I'm here to help you navigate through the nuances of grammar and syntax. One of the key elements of English sentence structure is the predicate adjective, which is an essential part of a sentence that describes the subject in relation to a linking verb. Let's delve into the intricacies of finding and understanding predicate adjectives.

Predicate adjectives are adjectives that follow a linking verb and describe or rename the subject of a sentence. They are crucial in forming what is known as a subject-complement structure. This structure is created when the subject of the sentence is modified by the predicate adjective, which provides additional information about the subject's state, quality, or identity.

To identify a predicate adjective, you should follow these steps:


1. Identify the Linking Verb: Linking verbs, also known as copular verbs, connect the subject to its complement. Common linking verbs include "is," "am," "are," "was," "were," "become," "seem," "appear," "feel," "look," "sound," "taste," "smell," "remain," and "get."


2. Locate the Subject: The subject of a sentence is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about. It usually comes before the linking verb.


3. Find the Complement: After the linking verb, the word or phrase that describes or renames the subject is the complement. In the case of predicate adjectives, this complement is an adjective.


4. Check for Adjectival Form: Ensure that the word following the linking verb is indeed an adjective. It should modify the subject by describing a quality, state, or characteristic.


5. Understand the Function: The predicate adjective functions as a descriptor, providing a sensory or emotional quality, or it can rename the subject by indicating a change of state or identity.

Let's look at a few examples to solidify this understanding:

- "The sky became blue." Here, "blue" is the predicate adjective modifying the subject "sky" after the linking verb "became."
- "She seems happy." In this sentence, "happy" is the predicate adjective describing the subject "she" following the linking verb "seems."
- "The cake tasted delicious." "Delicious" is the predicate adjective that describes the subject "cake" after the linking verb "tasted."

It's important to note that predicate adjectives can also form part of a predicate nominative when they rename the subject, as in "He is a doctor," where "doctor" is a noun used adjectivally to rename the subject "He."

In summary, finding a predicate adjective involves identifying the linking verb, locating the subject, and then recognizing the word or phrase that follows the linking verb and serves to describe or rename the subject. These adjectives are an integral part of the sentence, enriching its meaning and providing a deeper understanding of the subject's attributes.

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Examples of Predicate Adjectives. A predicate adjective modifies the subject of the sentence, and is connected to the subject by a linking verb. In the sentence "The wall is purple," the subject is "wall," the predicate adjective is "purple" and the linking verb is "is."read more >>