What are Subject Complements?
A subject complement is a noun, adjective, or pronoun that follows a linking verb to describe or rename the subject. The three types of subject complements are called predicate nouns, predicate adjectives, and predicate pronouns.
Examples of Subject Complements
Some examples of subject complements would be the following:
Mrs. Burns is my soccer coach. (“is” = linking verb; “coach” = predicate noun)
My famous macaroni and cheese is extra creamy. (“is” = linking verb; “creamy” = predicate adjective)
The winner of the talent show is she. (“is” = linking verb; “she” = predicate pronoun)
What to Know About Subject Complements
As mentioned above, subject complements rename or describe the subject of the sentence. Quite literally, they complement, or complete, the subject. The three types of subject complements are easy to identify in that they are the part of speech that’s in their title.
For instance, a “predicate noun” is going to be – you guessed it – a noun that appears in the predicate and renames the subject.
– She is our quarterback.
“Quarterback” is a noun, it appears in the predicate, and it renames the subject “she;” therefore, it is a predicate noun.
A “predicate adjective” is going to be – yep, again – an adjective that appears in the predicate of the sentence and describes the subject.
– That milkshake was delicious.
“Delicious” is an adjective, it appears in the predicate, and it describes the subject “milkshake;” therefore, it is a predicate adjective.
Finally, a “predicate pronoun” is simply a pronoun that appears in the predicate and takes the place of the subject.
– The criminals were they.
“They” is a pronoun, it appears in the predicate, and it takes the place of the subject “criminals;” therefore, it is a predicate pronoun.
*One extra note regarding predicate pronouns: Predicate pronouns must be in the nominative case.
But let’s be careful. Notice that subject complements are only present when there is a linking verb. Try to remember the following:
- Action Verbs have Direct Objects
- Linking Verbs have Subject Complements
One final note: Be sure not to confuse subject complements with objective complements. If you can remember that the word “complement” means “to complete,” then it should be easy to understand the difference between subject complements and objective complements. Subject complements “complete” the subject while objective complements “complete” an object (ie, direct object).
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