Subject Complement
A subject complement is a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and completes the meaning of the subject by renaming it or describing it.
These complements provide essential information that either identifies the subject further or gives more detail about its characteristics.
Types of Subject Complements
Predicate Nominatives
Predicate nominatives rename the subject. They are always nouns or pronouns and follow a linking verb.
For example:
She is a teacher.
The winner is John.
The cat is a pet.
My brother is an engineer.
The sky is a marvel.
It was he who called.
The leaders are they.
Predicate Adjectives
Predicate adjectives describe the subject. They follow a linking verb and provide more information about the subject's characteristics.
For example:
The sky is blue.
The soup tastes delicious.
The baby seems happy.
The book is interesting.
The team feels confident.
The road looks rough.
The garden smells fragrant.
Identifying Subject Complements
Linking Verbs
Linking verbs connect the subject to the subject complement. Common linking verbs include "is," "are," "was," "were," "seems," "becomes," "appears," and "feels."
Linking verbs do not show action but instead link the subject to additional information about the subject.
For example:
She is tall.
They are doctors.
It seems easy.
He becomes angry.
She appears tired.
The night feels chilly.
The project remains unfinished.
Common Mistakes
Avoid mistaking action verbs for linking verbs. Linking verbs are used to connect the subject with a complement that describes or renames it, not to express action.
For example:
Incorrect: She runs quickly (runs is an action verb, so "quickly" is not a subject complement).
Correct: She is quick (is is a linking verb, so "quick" is a subject complement).
Subject Complements in Sentences
Examples in Simple Sentences
The flower smells sweet.
The cake is chocolate.
The lake looks peaceful.
My dog is loyal.
This movie seems long.
The dress looks elegant.
The dinner was perfect.
Examples in Complex Sentences
Even though he is young, he is the CEO.
The dessert, which was delicious, was a pie.
The man who won is my uncle.
The book, although old, is fascinating.
The teacher, who is strict, is fair.
Although the road was long, the journey was enjoyable.
The garden, which was lush, appeared magical.
Practice Exercises
Fill-in-the-Blank Sentences
The sky is _______.
The team feels _______.
My dog is a _______.
The soup tastes _______.
She is a _______.
The flowers smell _______.
The book seems _______.
Multiple Choice Questions
Identify the subject complement: "The cat is furry."
A) cat
B) is
C) furry
D) the
Which is a predicate nominative? "He is a scientist."
A) he
B) is
C) a
D) scientist
Find the linking verb: "The flowers smell wonderful."
A) flowers
B) smell
C) wonderful
D) the
Identify the subject complement: "The soup tastes delicious."
A) soup
B) tastes
C) delicious
D) the
Which is a predicate adjective? "The sky appears clear."
A) sky
B) appears
C) clear
D) the
Correct the Errors
Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences:
The cake tastes sweetly. (Correct: The cake tastes sweet.)
She becomes happily. (Correct: She becomes happy.)
He is a fastest runner. (Correct: He is the fastest runner.)