Subject Complement Lesson: Definition, Usage and Examples

Lesson Overview

• What Is a Subject Complement?
• How Subject Complements Work in Sentences
• Types of Subject Complements
• There are two main types of subject complements: predicate nouns and predicate adjectives. Let's learn about them with simple explanations and examples!
• A predicate noun is a noun or noun phrase that renames or identifies the subject. It tells us what the subject is.
• A predicate adjective is an adjective that describes the subject. It tells us what the subject is like.
• Examples of Subject Complements
• Assessment of Subject Complement
• Answers

Do you ever feel like your sentences lack a certain spark or depth? It's possible that something is missing. This is where subject complements come into play. Think of them as the "finishing touch" that modifies your writing. In this lesson, learn how to use subject complements to make your sentences more accurate and interesting.

What Is a Subject Complement?

Subject complements are essential elements that enhance your sentences, providing added detail and richness. They follow linking verbs like "is," "are," "was," "were," "seem," and "become." These verbs connect the subject of the sentence to the subject complement, which either renames or describes the subject. 

How Subject Complements Work in Sentences

Let's learn how to identify subject complements in a few simple steps.

Step 1: Find the Subject of the Sentence

See, "Who or what is the sentence about?"

• Example
  • The boy is tired.
    Subject The boy

Step 2: Look for a Linking Verb

Check if the sentence has a linking verb like is, are, was, were, seem, or feel. Linking verbs connect the subject to more information about it.

• Example
  • The boy is tired.
    Linking Verb is

Step 3: Identify the Word or Phrase After the Linking Verb

The word or phrase after the linking verb is often the subject complement. It either renames or describes the subject.

• Example
  • The boy is tired.
    Subject Complement: tired (describes the subject)'

Step 4: Check if It's a Predicate Noun or Predicate Adjective

• If the subject complement renames the subject, it's a predicate noun.
• If it describes the subject, it's a predicate adjective.

Take the Quiz

Subject Complements

Types of Subject Complements

There are two main types of subject complements: predicate nouns and predicate adjectives. Let's learn about them with simple explanations and examples!

1. Predicate Nouns (or Predicate Nominatives)

A predicate noun is a noun or noun phrase that renames or identifies the subject. It tells us what the subject is.

• How it works subject + linking verb + predicate nominative.
• The linking verb connects the subject and the predicate nominative, showing they are the same thing.

Examples with Nouns

• She became a leader. (Leader explains her role.)

Examples with Noun Phrases

• Our school is the best in town. (The best in town renames the subject school.)

2. Predicate Adjectives

A predicate adjective is an adjective that describes the subject. It tells us what the subject is like.

• How it works subject + linking verb + predicate adjective.
• The linking verb connects the subject and the adjective, showing what the subject looks or feels like.

Examples with Adjectives

• I felt tired after the race. (Tired explains how I felt.)

Examples with Adjective Phrases

• Her story was full of surprises. (Full of surprises is an adjective phrase describing story.)

Examples with Compound Adjectives

• The baby was happy and playful. (Happy and playful are compound adjectives describing baby.)

Examples of Subject Complements

Explore some of the subject complement examples, categorized by their forms

1. Nouns as Subject Complements

Nouns can rename or redefine the subject.

• Example
  • The teacher is a mentor.
    (Mentor renames the subject teacher.)
    
  • Her dream was to be a doctor.
    (Doctor redefines dream.)

2. Noun Phrases as Subject Complements

Noun phrases give more details while renaming the subject.

• Example
  • The company's success was a result of teamwork.
    (A result of teamwork is a noun phrase that complements success.)
    
  • His ambition is to become an artist.
    (To become an artist is a noun phrase describing ambition.)

3. Adjectives as Subject Complements

Adjectives describe or qualify the subject.

• Example
  • The sky looks blue.
    (Blue describes the subject sky.)
    
  • She felt happy after the exam.
    (Happy qualifies she.)

4. Adjective Phrases and Compound Adjectives as Subject Complements

Adjective phrases or compound adjectives can provide detailed descriptions.

• Example
  • The book is full of adventure and mystery.
    (Full of adventure and mystery is an adjective phrase describing book.)
    
  • His attitude seemed calm yet confident.
    (Calm yet confident is a compound adjective-qualifying attitude.)

Assessment of Subject Complement

1. For each sentence below, identify the subject complement. Then, tell us if it's a predicate nominative or a predicate adjective.

• My favorite animal is a panda.
• The flowers look beautiful.
• The teacher seems nice.
• My brother is a firefighter.
• The cake tastes sweet.
• She became a famous singer.
• The weather is rainy today.
• He feels excited about the game.
• That book is an adventure story.
• The cookies smell amazing!

2. Write three of your own sentences with subject complements. Underline the subject complement and identify if it is a predicate nominative or predicate adjective.

Answers

Activity 1

• panda (predicate nominative-renames "animal")
• beautiful (predicate adjective-describes "flowers")
• nice (predicate adjective-describes "teacher")
• firefighter (predicate nominative-renames "brother")
• sweet (predicate adjective-describes "cake")
• singer (predicate nominative-renames "she")
• rainy (predicate adjective-describes "weather")
• excited (predicate adjective-describes "he")
• story (predicate nominative-renames "book")
• amazing (predicate adjective-describes "cookies")

Activity 2

• The movie was exciting. (predicate adjective)
• My best friend is Liam. (predicate nominative)

The flowers smell wonderful. (predicate adjective)