Yesterday, we learned that a linking verb can connect a subject to a predicate noun.
A predicate noun finishes a thought by renaming the subject.
Mom is.
This sentence is incomplete. Add a predicate noun to rename the subject and finish the thought.
Mom is a writer.
Writer is a predicate noun.
A predicate adjective also follows a linking verb, but a predicate adjective describes the subject.
Mom is.
This time, we will finish the thought with an adjective.
Mom is smart.
Smart is the predicate adjective. Smart describes Mom. Mom “equals” smart.
Here are some more examples of a predicate adjective:
My grandpa is old.
The dog seems frisky.
The day became cloudy.
In each of these sentences, the word after the linking verb describes the subject.
Old describes grandpa. We can say that grandpa “equals” old.
Frisky describes the dog. We can say that the dog “equals” frisky.
Cloudy describes the day. We can say that the day “equals” cloudy.
Use a linking verb to connect the subject to a predicate noun or a predicate adjective.
Linking verbs never show action. Linking verbs only show existence.
A noun that follows a linking verb is called a predicate noun.
A predicate noun renames the subject.
An adjective that follows a linking verb is called a predicate adjective.
A predicate adjective describes the subject.