Understanding Subject Complements

Understanding Subject Complements

Read each question carefully and follow the instructions. This worksheet will test your understanding of subject complements, including predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives.

Subject complements are words or phrases that follow a linking verb and rename or describe the subject. There are two main types of subject complements: predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives.

A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that renames the subject. Example: 'The winner is she.' (she renames winner)

A predicate adjective is an adjective that describes the subject. Example: 'The soup tastes delicious.' (delicious describes soup)

Underline the linking verb in each sentence.

1. The sky   blue today.

2. She   a talented artist.

3. These flowers   beautiful.

4. My brother   an engineer.

For each sentence, identify the subject complement and classify it as a Predicate Nominative (PN) or Predicate Adjective (PA).

5. The book was a thrilling mystery.

6. The old house seemed quiet.

7. Write two sentences. In the first sentence, use a predicate nominative. In the second sentence, use a predicate adjective. Underline the subject complement in each sentence.

Indicate whether each statement is True (T) or False (F).

8. A subject complement always follows an action verb.

9. A predicate nominative renames the direct object.

10. Read the following passage. Identify three sentences that contain a subject complement. For each sentence, write it below and clearly identify the linking verb, the subject complement, and whether it is a predicate nominative or a predicate adjective.

The old mansion stood silently on the hill. Its windows were dark, and the porch swing appeared broken. The air around it felt strangely cold, even on a warm afternoon. Locals considered the house a mystery, and many believed it was haunted. Its history remained a secret, making it an intriguing landmark.