A predicate nominative is an important grammar term that can seem complicated at first, but the basic idea is quite simple. It is a word or phrase that comes after a linking verb and identifies or renames the subject of a sentence. In other words, the predicate nominative tells us who or what the subject is.
For example, consider the sentence, “Maria is a teacher.” The word teacher comes after the linking verb is and identifies Maria. Therefore, teacher is the predicate nominative. Predicate nominatives commonly appear after linking verbs such as be, become, seem and remain. Understanding them can make it much easier to analyze sentence structure, distinguish subjects from objects and recognize complements in English grammar.
Quick Answer
A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject. In “James is a doctor,” doctor is the predicate nominative because it identifies James. Predicate nominatives are also called subject complements.
Why Is It Called a Predicate Nominative?
The term may sound complicated because it combines two grammatical ideas.
- Predicate refers to the part of the sentence that says something about the subject.
- Nominative is related to naming or identifying.
So, a predicate nominative is essentially a noun or pronoun in the predicate that names or identifies the subject.
Consider:
Sarah is a musician.
Sarah = subject
is = linking verb
musician = predicate nominative
The word musician gives another name or identity to Sarah.
What Is a Predicate Nominative?
A predicate nominative is a noun, pronoun or noun phrase that follows a linking verb and refers back to the subject.
It does not receive an action. Instead, it renames, identifies or describes the subject.
For example:
My brother is an engineer.
Here:
- My brother = subject
- is = linking verb
- an engineer = predicate nominative
The sentence essentially tells us:
My brother = an engineer.
That equal relationship is a useful way to recognize a predicate nominative.
Common Linking Verbs
Predicate nominatives generally occur after linking verbs.
The most common linking verb is a form of be:
- am
- is
- are
- was
- were
- be
- being
- been
Other verbs can function as linking verbs when they connect the subject with a complement:
- become
- seem
- remain
- appear
- feel
- look
- smell
- taste
- sound
- grow
- turn
For example:
She became a doctor.
Doctor identifies what she became, so it functions as a predicate nominative.
Predicate Nominative Examples
Example 1: She is a doctor.
- Subject: She
- Linking verb: is
- Predicate nominative: doctor
Doctor identifies the subject.
Example 2: Michael became the team captain.
- Subject: Michael
- Linking verb: became
- Predicate nominative: team captain
The phrase team captain identifies Michael’s new role.
Example 3: My sister is an artist.
- Subject: My sister
- Linking verb: is
- Predicate nominative: artist
Example 4: The winner was John.
- Subject: The winner
- Linking verb: was
- Predicate nominative: John
John identifies the winner.
Example 5: Their goal is success.
- Subject: Their goal
- Linking verb: is
- Predicate nominative: success
Predicate Nominative vs Predicate Adjective
One of the most important distinctions is between a predicate nominative and a predicate adjective.
Both can follow linking verbs, but they perform different jobs.
Predicate Nominative
A predicate nominative renames or identifies the subject.
David is a teacher.
Teacher is a noun that identifies David.
Predicate Adjective
A predicate adjective describes the subject.
David is kind.
Kind describes David.
Compare:
- David is a teacher. → predicate nominative
- David is kind. → predicate adjective
A simple test is:
Noun that identifies the subject → predicate nominative
Adjective that describes the subject → predicate adjective
Predicate Nominative vs Direct Object
A predicate nominative should not be confused with a direct object.
A direct object receives the action of a transitive verb.
A predicate nominative follows a linking verb and identifies the subject.
Compare:
Sarah became a doctor.
Here, doctor is a predicate nominative because became is functioning as a linking verb.
Now consider:
Sarah helped a doctor.
Here, doctor is a direct object because it receives the action of helped.
Easy Test
Ask:
Does the word identify or rename the subject?
If yes, it may be a predicate nominative.
Ask:
Does the word receive the action?
If yes, it is likely a direct object.
Predicate Nominative vs Subject Complement
A predicate nominative is a type of subject complement.
The broader term subject complement includes words or phrases that complete the meaning of a linking verb and provide information about the subject.
There are two common types:
- Predicate nominative — identifies or renames the subject.
- Predicate adjective — describes the subject.
For example:
Emma is a student.
Student = predicate nominative.
Emma is intelligent.
Intelligent = predicate adjective.
Both are subject complements.
Predicate Nominative and Pronouns
A predicate nominative can sometimes be a pronoun.
For example:
The winner was she.
In traditional formal grammar, she is used because it is a subject-form pronoun.
However, in everyday modern English, sentences such as:
The winner was her.
are extremely common.
The choice between she and her after a linking verb can depend on grammatical tradition, style and natural usage.
In formal grammar exercises, she may be expected.
Predicate Nominative and Compound Complements
A sentence can have more than one predicate nominative.
For example:
Maria and David are teachers and writers.
The words teachers and writers identify the subjects, so they form a compound predicate nominative.
Another example:
My parents became owners and managers of the company.
The nouns identify what the subjects became.
12 Examples of Predicate Nominatives
- Sarah is a teacher.
- Michael became a doctor.
- My father is an engineer.
- The winner was James.
- Her dream is success.
- Their leader became the president.
- My sister is an artist.
- That animal is a lion.
- His biggest achievement was the marathon.
- The new manager is Mr. Davis.
- Their final destination was London.
- My best friend became a lawyer.
In each sentence, the bold word or phrase identifies or renames the subject.
How to Identify a Predicate Nominative
Use these three steps.
Step 1: Find the Subject
Determine who or what the sentence is about.
Daniel is a pilot.
Subject = Daniel
Step 2: Find the Verb
Look for the linking verb.
Daniel is a pilot.
Linking verb = is
Step 3: Ask Whether the Complement Renames the Subject
Ask:
Is Daniel a pilot?
Yes.
Therefore:
pilot = predicate nominative
The “Equals” Test
One of the easiest tricks is to mentally place an equals sign between the subject and the complement.
Daniel = pilot.
If the relationship makes sense, the complement may be a predicate nominative.
For example:
Sarah is a doctor.
Sarah = doctor
That works.
But:
Sarah is tired.
Sarah = tired
This describes Sarah rather than renaming her, so tired is a predicate adjective.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Calling Every Word After “Is” a Predicate Nominative
Not every complement after is is a predicate nominative.
Compare:
He is a teacher.
He is happy.
Teacher = predicate nominative
Happy = predicate adjective
Mistake 2: Confusing It With a Direct Object
A direct object follows an action verb.
She painted a picture.
Picture is the direct object.
But:
She became an artist.
Artist is a predicate nominative.
Mistake 3: Assuming It Must Be One Word
A predicate nominative can be a phrase.
She is the new team captain.
The entire noun phrase the new team captain functions as the predicate nominative.
Mistake 4: Confusing “Description” With “Renaming”
Ask whether the complement is a noun that identifies the subject or an adjective that describes it.
Tom is a student. → identifies
Tom is smart. → describes
Memory Trick
Remember:
Predicate nominative = subject renamed.
If the word after the linking verb gives the subject another name or identity, you probably have a predicate nominative.
Think:
Subject = Predicate Nominative
For example:
Lisa is a doctor.
Lisa = doctor
American vs British English
The concept of the predicate nominative is used in both American and British English grammar instruction.
There is no major American versus British difference in the definition.
However, grammatical terminology can vary somewhat between textbooks and educational traditions. You may also see subject complement used as the broader term.
Predicate Nominative vs Predicate Adjective: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Predicate Nominative | Predicate Adjective |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Renames or identifies subject | Describes subject |
| Usually follows | Linking verb | Linking verb |
| Typical form | Noun/pronoun | Adjective |
| Example | She is a doctor. | She is kind. |
| Subject relationship | She = doctor | Kind describes she |
Similar Grammar Terms
Understanding these related terms can make sentence analysis easier:
- Subject — who or what the sentence is about
- Predicate — what is said about the subject
- Linking verb — connects the subject with a complement
- Subject complement — completes the meaning of a linking verb
- Predicate nominative — renames or identifies the subject
- Predicate adjective — describes the subject
- Direct object — receives the action of a verb
- Indirect object — indicates to whom or for whom an action is performed
Final Verdict
A predicate nominative is a noun, pronoun or noun phrase that follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject. In the sentence “Maria is a teacher,” teacher is the predicate nominative because it identifies Maria.
The easiest way to recognize one is to use the equals test. If the sentence creates a logical relationship such as Maria = teacher, you are probably looking at a predicate nominative. Just remember that a noun identifying the subject is a predicate nominative, while an adjective describing the subject is a predicate adjective.
Remember This
Predicate nominative = a noun or pronoun that renames the subject after a linking verb.
Subject + linking verb + predicate nominative
Example:
John is a teacher.
John = teacher
Therefore, teacher is the predicate nominative.
FAQs
What is a predicate nominative in simple terms?
A predicate nominative is a word or phrase that comes after a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject.
What is an example of a predicate nominative?
In “Sarah is a doctor,” doctor is the predicate nominative because it identifies Sarah.
Is a predicate nominative always a noun?
Usually, a predicate nominative is a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that identifies or renames the subject.
What verbs are used with predicate nominatives?
Predicate nominatives commonly follow linking verbs such as is, am, are, was, were, become, seem, and remain.
What is the difference between a predicate nominative and a predicate adjective?
A predicate nominative renames or identifies the subject, while a predicate adjective describes the subject.
- She is a doctor. → predicate nominative
- She is kind. → predicate adjective
Is a predicate nominative the same as a subject complement?
A predicate nominative is one type of subject complement. Predicate adjectives are another type.
How can I find a predicate nominative?
Find the subject and linking verb, then ask whether the word or phrase after the verb renames or identifies the subject. The equals sign test can help.
Conclusion
A predicate nominative may sound like a difficult grammar concept, but its function is straightforward: it renames or identifies the subject after a linking verb. Once you recognize the relationship between the subject and the complement, identifying predicate nominatives becomes much easier.
Remember the basic pattern: subject + linking verb + predicate nominative. In “David is a musician,” David is the subject, is is the linking verb and musician is the predicate nominative. Use the equals test David = musician and you’ll have a reliable way to recognize this important grammatical structure.
