Predicative Adjectives - Adjectives add color and detail to our sentences, enhancing their clarity and expressiveness. Among them, predicative adjectives serve a unique role by appearing after nouns and functioning as complements to the subject. Understanding how predicative adjectives work is crucial for constructing grammatically correct and meaningful sentences. In this guide, we’ll explore the rules, patterns, and examples of predicative adjectives, as well as their differences from attributive adjectives.
What Are Predicative Adjectives?
Predicative adjectives are adjectives that appear after linking verbs (e.g., be, seem, appear) and describe the subject of the sentence. Unlike attributive adjectives, which directly precede and modify nouns, predicative adjectives complete the meaning of a subject by acting as complements.
Examples:
She is beautiful.- "Beautiful" describes the subject, "she," through the linking verb "is."
- "Delicious" describes the subject, "soup," through the verb "tastes."
Linking Verbs and Predicative Adjectives
Predicative adjectives work in conjunction with linking verbs. These verbs connect the subject to the adjective, making the description complete.
Common Linking Verbs:
- Be: is, am, are, was, were
- Seem: seem, seems, seemed
- Look: look, looks, looked
- Feel: feel, feels, felt
- Sound: sound, sounds, sounded
- Taste: taste, tastes, tasted
- Smell: smell, smells, smelled
Examples in Sentences:
You sound serious.- Linking verb: "sound"; Adjective: "serious."
- Linking verb: "seems"; Adjective: "happy."
- Linking verb: "smell"; Adjective: "wonderful."
Adjectives That Are Typically Predicative
Certain adjectives naturally occur in the predicative position and rarely precede nouns.
1. Adjectives Beginning with 'A'
Adjectives such as alive, afloat, alight, alone, afraid, asleep, etc., are used predominantly in the predicative position.
Examples:
- The baby is awake.
- Sister, I’m afraid.
- He is alone.
2. "Ill" and "Well"
These adjectives are generally used in the predicative position:
- He is well. (Correct)
- A well man. (Incorrect)
- She looks ill.
- A sick woman. (Here, "sick" replaces "ill" in the attributive position.)
3. Content and Lit
Adjectives such as content and lit are only used predicatively.
Examples:
- I am content.
- The fire is lit.
Differences Between Predicative and Attributive Adjectives
Predicative adjectives differ from attributive adjectives in both placement and usage.
Comparison Table
| Aspect | Predicative Adjectives | Attributive Adjectives |
|---|---|---|
| Placement | After linking verbs | Before nouns |
| Function | Completes the subject | Modifies the noun directly |
| Example (Correct) | The child is happy. | A happy child. |
| Example (Incorrect) | A happy is child. | The child is happy happy. |
Special Cases of Predicative Adjectives
1. Changing Meaning with Position
Some adjectives can change meaning depending on whether they are used predicatively or attributively.
Examples:
The concerned person (the person is worried).
The clerk concerned (the person in charge of something).
The present members (those who are members now).
The members present (those who are physically present).
2. Multiple Predicative Adjectives
A subject can have more than one predicative adjective.
Examples:
- She is tired and hungry.
- The soup tastes rich and creamy.
3. Linking Verbs vs. Action Verbs
Adjectives following action verbs (e.g., run, jump) do not act as complements and are not predicative.
Incorrect: She runs happy.
Correct: She is happy when she runs.
Common Errors with Predicative Adjectives
Using Predicative-Only Adjectives Attributively
- Incorrect: An asleep baby.
- Correct: The baby is asleep.
Forgetting the Linking Verb
- Incorrect: The cake tasty.
- Correct: The cake is tasty.
Confusing Adjective Positions
- Incorrect: She seems an excited.
- Correct: She seems excited.
Practice Exercises
1. Identify the Predicative Adjective
- The dog looks happy.
- The room smells fresh.
- He feels confident about the presentation.
Answers:
- Happy
- Fresh
- Confident
2. Rewrite the Sentences Correctly
- A sick looks she.
- Alone he sat in the corner.
- The food is tasted delicious.
Answers:
- She looks sick.
- He sat alone in the corner.
- The food tastes delicious.
FAQs About Predicative Adjectives
1. What is a predicative adjective?
A predicative adjective is an adjective that appears after a linking verb and describes the subject.
2. Can all adjectives be used predicatively?
No, some adjectives, such as "alive" and "asleep," are typically used only in the predicative position.
3. What is the difference between predicative and attributive adjectives?
Predicative adjectives appear after linking verbs, while attributive adjectives come before nouns.
4. Can an adjective be both predicative and attributive?
Yes, some adjectives, like "happy," can function in both positions depending on the sentence.
5. What are common linking verbs used with predicative adjectives?
Common linking verbs include be, seem, appear, feel, look, sound, taste, and smell.
6. Can predicative adjectives modify action verbs?
No, predicative adjectives only work with linking verbs, not action verbs.
