Predicate Nominatives | Definition & Examples
All complete sentences have a subject and a predicate. The predicate is the part of the sentence that contains the verb and tells us about the subject, such as what it’s doing or what it is.
A predicate nominative (also called a predicate noun) is a noun or pronoun that identifies, describes, or redefines the subject within the predicate.
Predicate nominatives always follow linking verbs. Unlike action verbs, linking verbs (e.g., “be,” “become,” or “seem”) indicate conditions or states of being.
Her dream became reality.
The bird with the largest wingspan is the wandering albatross.
What is a predicate nominative?
Predicate nominatives are also known as predicate nouns. They are nouns or pronouns that identify or redefine the subject within the predicate of a sentence.
A subject is the person or thing the sentence is about. It’s often performing an action or being described, but it can also be the recipient of an action.
A predicate is the part of the sentence that tells us what the subject does or is. It includes the verb and any objects or subject complements.
The scientist was a great mother.
The dinner you left in the oven is a charred mess.
Subject complements
A predicate nominative is a type of subject complement.
Subject complements always follow linking verbs (e.g., “be,” “become,” or “seem”), and linking verbs are always followed by subject complements.
To complement something means to improve it or make it complete, and subject complements complete linking verbs to describe, identify, or redefine the subject.
Some verbs, such as sense verbs (e.g., “taste,” “smell,” “sound”), can be either linking verbs or action verbs depending on the context. To determine whether a verb is a linking verb, you can replace it with a conjugated form of “be” to see if it still makes sense. If so, even if the meaning is slightly different, it’s probably a linking verb.
- I feel sad → I am sad.
- Fiona felt a sharp pain → Fiona was a sharp pain.
Other types of subject complements are adverb phrases, prepositional phrases, or predicate adjectives.
The vase is on the table.
This tea is hot.
Predicate nominatives vs predicate adjectives
Predicate nominatives are also known as predicate nouns. As the name suggests, they are always nouns or pronouns. They always follow linking verbs and redefine or rename the subject of the sentence.
Predicate adjectives are another type of subject complement. They also follow linking verbs and describe the subject, but they are adjectives or adjective phrases rather than nouns or pronouns.
My research was successful.
I could be a famous writer.
I could be famous.
The building was a tall, gray structure.
The building was taller than those around it.
Predicate nominative examples
Predicate nominatives always follow the same pattern of a noun or pronoun following a linking verb, but there are a few different kinds.
Simple predicate nominatives
Simple predicate nominatives contain a single noun.
My greatest strength is adaptability.
Compound predicate nominatives
Compound predicate nominatives are made up of multiple nouns.
My greatest strengths are adaptability and attention to detail.
Gerunds as predicate nominatives
Predicate nominatives are nouns or pronouns, and gerunds are verbs that function as nouns (e.g., “running”). You can use gerunds as predicate nominatives just as you would a regular noun or pronoun.
His most annoying habit is chewing with his mouth open.
Pronouns in predicate nominatives
We use nominative case (also known as subjective case) for the subject of a sentence (e.g., I, he, she, we) and objective case for the object (e.g., me, him, her, us).
He called me.
As predicate nominatives are not objects (they are subject complements) and are equal to the subject (they redefine, identify, or rename the subject), nominative case is the grammatically correct case for predicate nominative pronouns.
However, using objective case (e.g., “me” vs. “I”) for predicate nominatives has become very common in spoken and casual English, so this will sound more natural to many people.
It is me.
The primary researcher was I.
The primary researcher was me.
The culprit might have been he.
The culprit might have been him.
In spoken and casual English, you can use whichever one feels more natural to you; in formal and academic writing, it’s best to stick to the nominative case or rephrase the sentence so the pronoun is the subject. Rephrasing is often preferable.
He might have been the culprit.
Predicate nominative quiz
Test your understanding of predicate nominatives by answering these practice quiz questions.
Frequently asked questions about predicate nominatives
- What is a predicate noun?
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A predicate noun is another term for a predicate nominative. It’s a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and identifies, describes, or redefines the subject.
For example, in the sentence “you are my best friend,” “you” is the subject and “my best friend” is the predicate nominative describing the subject.
- What is nominative case?
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Nominative case (also known as subjective case) is used for personal pronouns when they are the subject of a sentence (e.g., I, he, she, we) and objective case is used for pronouns when they are the object (e.g., me, him, her, us).
A pronoun in the nominative or subjective case is known as a subject pronoun or nominative pronoun (e.g., “she emailed my teacher”).
A pronoun in the objective case is known as an object pronoun (e.g., “my teacher emailed her”).
