English grammar has rules and structures that help us talk correctly and express our ideas,

notions, and concepts clearly. Sometimes it appears complicated and intimidating when you hear
words like predicate nominative. In this article, we will demystify this term by breaking it down
for you as we explore their use and how they function in sentences. If you enjoy English
grammar, here is a topic you will enjoy.

<h2>What is Predicate Nominative</h2>

A Predicate nominative is also known as a predicate noun. It is a noun or pronoun that follows a
linking verb that renames the subject of a sentence. In simpler terms, it's about identifying what
comes after the "to be" verbs - am, is, are, was, were, be, being, and been. As a rule, this does not
follow an action verb. It is important as it governs how we communicate through the use of the
grammatical rules used in the proper use of the English language in relation to speech, writing,
and expression of ideas for the sake of clarity.

Predicate Nominative Examples:

1. "Peter was a doctor." Here "Peter" is the sentence's subject, and "doctor" renames him.

2. "Katy will be a teacher." In this example, "Katy" is the sentence's subject, and "a teacher"
renames her.

3. "I could have been a swimmer." In this instance, "I" is the sentence's subject, and "a swimmer"
renames it.

4. "The winner of the competition was Sarah." Here Sarah can also be referred to as 'the winner,'

5. "Tommy will be the sheriff." In this example, "Tommy" is the sentence's subject, and "sheriff"
renames him.

<h2>What Are the Types of Predicate Nominatives?</h2>

In grammar, a predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that follows the linking verb and
renames, identifies, or explains the subject. There are two types of predicate nominatives: simple
and compound.

<h3>Simple Predicate Nominative</h3>

The noun or pronoun that acts as the subject of a phrase or clause is the simple predicate
nominative in grammar. It can be easily identified by asking oneself if it could stand alone as a
subject.

Examples:
1. "My favorite color is blue." In this sentence, "blue" renames "color."

2. "Terry is the new president." In this sentence, "president" renames "Terry."

3. "Eddy was a salesman." In this sentence, "salesman" renames "Eddy."

4. "I am a boxer." In this sentence, "boxer" renames "I."

5. "You could have been queen." In this sentence, "queen" renames "you."

<h3>Compound Predicate Nominative</h3>

A compound predicate nominative is a grammatical concept in which two or more nouns or

pronouns share the same verb in the same sentence. A coordinating conjunction usually joins
them. It describes how two or more subjects are related to each other through a single action that
complements the subject in a sentence. For example, "She and I danced" is a compound predicate
nominative because the subjects "she" and "I" both share the verb "danced."

Examples:

1. "Frank is a firefighter and a paramedic." The words "firefighter" and "paramedic" rename the
main subject "Frank."

2. "Maggy is a baker and a designer." The words "baker" and "designer" rename the main subject
"Maggy."

3. "The team captain and coach are leaders." Here, both "team captain" and "coach" are
identified as "leaders."

4. "My sister and I are artists." In this sentence, "sister" and "I" both rename the subject "we" and
share the verb "are."

5. "She is both a singer and a dancer." Here, both "singer" and "dancer" are identified as "She."

<h2>Predicate Nominatives vs. Predicate Adjectives</h2>

When it comes to grammar, understanding the difference between predicate nominatives and
predicate adjectives is essential. It can be easy to confuse these two types of complements since
they both appear after linking verbs and describe something about their subjects. However,
remembering their distinct roles will help you use them correctly in your writing and speaking.

A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and completes the
sentence's meaning. It serves to rename or re-identify the subject of the sentence.

In comparison, predicate adjectives are words that are used to modify the subject of a sentence
and are linked to it by a linking verb. These are descriptive words that paint a clearer picture of
the subject. Examples of predicate adjectives include: exhausted, hungry, happy, satisfied, sad,
excited, terrified, and purple.
Examples of predicate adjectives:

1. "The apple was sweet and sour." The words "sweet" and "sour" give us a description of how
the "apple" tasted.

2. "The flowers smell sweet." "Sweet" is not renaming or identifying anything; rather, it
describes how the flowers smell.

3. "The cat was hungry." "Hungry" in this sentence is the predicate adjective that describes the
condition of the "cat."

4. "The cake is a chocolate cake," "chocolate" is a predicate adjective because it describes or

modifies the subject "cake."

5. "The pie smells delicious." "Delicious" is the predicate adjective that describes what the "pie"
tasted like.

<h2>Final Thoughts</h2>
In conclusion, it's important to distinguish between a predicate nominative and a predicate
adjective because they both describe the subject but in different ways. A predicate adjective
describes an attribute of the subject, while a predicate nominative renames it.

It requires careful consideration and planning to apply these nominatives appropriately. Still, the
rewards of doing so are worth the effort. With practice and dedication, anyone can learn how to
use them effectively. Taking the time to understand this process will set you up for success and
help you achieve your goals with greater ease. Once you are able to identify and utilize these
nominatives effectively, enhance your writing skills. Skills by adding depth and clarity to your
sentences. So go ahead, and practice using them in your writing!