Subject Complements
Learning Goal: In this lesson, students will understand subject complements and how they function within a sentence.
The linking verb links its subject to a word in the predicate.
The word in the predicate, so linked, is called a subject complement.
The subject may be linked to a noun (sometimes called a predicate noun); to a pronoun (sometimes called a predicate pronoun); or to an adjective (sometimes called a predicate adjective).
The dog is a mongrel. (predicate noun)
I am he. (predicate pronoun)
The roads are treacherous tonight. (predicate adjective)
Identifying Subject Complements.
Practice: Underline the subject complement in each of the following sentences.
Hint: Look for the linking verb to help you find the subject complement.
Examples: Cheddar cheese is orange. John feels sick today.
1. The mongoose, introduced to Puerto Rico to kill poisonous snakes,
has become the island’s most annoying predator.
2. Why are many of our folk heroes outlaws?
3. The chlorine in the pool smelled harsh.
4. This bread tastes moldy to me.
5. The hungry beggar felt too faint to hold out his cup.
6. The caged tiger gets especially restless during storms.
7. After my yoga exercises, I feel almost weightless.
8. Mahatma Gandhi always remained peaceful, despite his opponents’ most outrageous provocation.
9. One of a mail carrier’s occupational hazards is the overzealous watchdog.
10. Our captain’s last words to us sounded prophetic.
11. The sunflowers by the gate grow taller every day.
12. The class gift will be a new set of curtains for the auditorium stage.
13. The achievements and courage of Dr. Martin Luther King have become part of our American heritage.
14. A horse’s staggering gait can be a sign of swamp fever.
15. Her story rings true.
16. According to Dr. W. H. Sheldon’s classification of humans into physical types, the thin, slender-
boned ectomorph is introspective.
17. Are you nervous about making the speech?
18. The dirigible is lighter than air.
19. Is his pulse normal?
20. The moon looked close enough to touch.
Click here for the Answers
Source: http://www.english.ucalgary.ca/grammar/course/sentence/2_1c.htm
The word in the predicate, so linked, is called a subject complement.
The subject may be linked to a noun (sometimes called a predicate noun); to a pronoun (sometimes called a predicate pronoun); or to an adjective (sometimes called a predicate adjective).
The dog is a mongrel. (predicate noun)
I am he. (predicate pronoun)
The roads are treacherous tonight. (predicate adjective)
Identifying Subject Complements.
Practice: Underline the subject complement in each of the following sentences.
Hint: Look for the linking verb to help you find the subject complement.
Examples: Cheddar cheese is orange. John feels sick today.
1. The mongoose, introduced to Puerto Rico to kill poisonous snakes,
has become the island’s most annoying predator.
2. Why are many of our folk heroes outlaws?
3. The chlorine in the pool smelled harsh.
4. This bread tastes moldy to me.
5. The hungry beggar felt too faint to hold out his cup.
6. The caged tiger gets especially restless during storms.
7. After my yoga exercises, I feel almost weightless.
8. Mahatma Gandhi always remained peaceful, despite his opponents’ most outrageous provocation.
9. One of a mail carrier’s occupational hazards is the overzealous watchdog.
10. Our captain’s last words to us sounded prophetic.
11. The sunflowers by the gate grow taller every day.
12. The class gift will be a new set of curtains for the auditorium stage.
13. The achievements and courage of Dr. Martin Luther King have become part of our American heritage.
14. A horse’s staggering gait can be a sign of swamp fever.
15. Her story rings true.
16. According to Dr. W. H. Sheldon’s classification of humans into physical types, the thin, slender-
boned ectomorph is introspective.
17. Are you nervous about making the speech?
18. The dirigible is lighter than air.
19. Is his pulse normal?
20. The moon looked close enough to touch.
Click here for the Answers
Source: http://www.english.ucalgary.ca/grammar/course/sentence/2_1c.htm