Identifying Predicate Nouns

Identifying Predicate Nouns

Read each instruction carefully and complete the tasks. Remember that a predicate noun (also called a predicate nominative) follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject.

Understanding Predicate Nouns

A predicate noun (or predicate nominative) is a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject of the sentence. Linking verbs include forms of 'to be' (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been) and verbs related to the senses or states of being (look, feel, smell, sound, taste, grow, appear, become, seem, remain).

Example: Maria is a talented artist. (Artist is the predicate noun; it renames Maria.)

1. Which of the following sentences contains a predicate noun?

2. In the sentence 'My favorite dessert is apple pie,' what is the predicate noun?

Underline the predicate noun in each sentence.

1. Mr. Harrison is our new  .

2. The winner of the contest was  .

3. Her dream became a  .

4. That building used to be a  .

Write two sentences. In the first sentence, use 'student' as a predicate noun. In the second sentence, use 'friend' as a predicate noun.

1.  

2.  

Determine if the statement about predicate nouns is true or false.

1. A predicate noun always follows an action verb.

2. The word 'she' can be a predicate noun if it follows a linking verb.