Subject Complements Are Words That

Subject Complements: The Words That Complete the Subject

Subject complements are words, phrases, or clauses that follow a linking verb and provide essential information about the subject of the sentence. They complete the meaning of the subject, describing, identifying, or re-naming it. Understanding subject complements is crucial for crafting clear, concise, and grammatically correct sentences. This comprehensive guide will explore the different types of subject complements, their function in a sentence, and how to identify them effectively. We’ll delve into examples, variations, and common mistakes to help you master this important grammatical concept.

Meta Description: Learn about subject complements in English grammar: their definition, types (predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives), examples, and how they function in a sentence to complete the meaning of the subject. Master the nuances of this essential grammatical concept with our comprehensive guide.

Understanding Linking Verbs: The Bridge to Complements

Before diving into subject complements, it's crucial to understand linking verbs. These verbs don't show action; instead, they connect the subject to its complement, essentially equating the two. The most common linking verb is "to be" (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been), but other verbs can function as linking verbs depending on context. These include verbs of sensory perception (seem, appear, look, feel, smell, taste, sound), verbs of becoming (become, grow, turn, remain, stay), and a few others depending on usage.

For example, in the sentence "The cake is delicious," "is" is a linking verb connecting the subject ("cake") to the subject complement ("delicious"). The verb doesn't describe an action; it links the subject to an attribute. Similarly, in "She became a doctor," "became" links the subject ("She") to the subject complement ("a doctor"). The verb indicates a change of state, but it doesn't express action in the traditional sense.

Types of Subject Complements: Predicate Nominatives and Predicate Adjectives

Subject complements fall into two main categories: predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives. Let's examine each in detail:

1. Predicate Nominatives (PN): Renaming the Subject

A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that renames or identifies the subject. It essentially provides another way of referring to the subject. It answers the question "What?" or "Who?" about the subject.

Examples:

My sister is a talented musician. ("musician" renames "sister")
The winner of the race was she. ("she" renames "winner")
He became a successful entrepreneur. ("entrepreneur" renames "he")
Their dream is a cozy cottage by the sea. ("cozy cottage by the sea" renames "dream")
The most popular item on the menu is the chicken tikka masala. ("chicken tikka masala" renames "item")

Notice how in each example, the predicate nominative provides additional information about the subject, clarifying its identity or nature. It’s crucial to differentiate between a predicate nominative and a direct object. A direct object receives the action of a transitive verb, whereas a predicate nominative is linked to the subject through a linking verb.

2. Predicate Adjectives (PA): Describing the Subject

A predicate adjective is an adjective that describes or modifies the subject. It answers the question "What kind?" or "How?" about the subject.

Examples:

The flowers smell sweet. ("sweet" describes "flowers")
The music sounds beautiful. ("beautiful" describes "music")
He appears nervous. ("nervous" describes "he")
The soup tastes bland. ("bland" describes "soup")
She remained calm in the face of danger. ("calm" describes "she")
The children are happy and playful. ("happy" and "playful" describe "children")

In these examples, the predicate adjectives offer qualities or characteristics of the subject, adding descriptive depth to the sentence. Similar to predicate nominatives, it's important to distinguish predicate adjectives from other types of adjectives. A predicate adjective follows a linking verb and modifies the subject, while other adjectives might modify nouns within a phrase.

Identifying Subject Complements: A Step-by-Step Approach

Identifying subject complements requires careful attention to the sentence structure. Here’s a breakdown of the process:

Identify the Verb: Pinpoint the main verb in the sentence. Is it a linking verb or an action verb? If it's an action verb, there’s no subject complement.
Look for the Subject: Determine the subject of the sentence – the noun or pronoun performing or being described by the verb.
Examine the Words Following the Verb: If the verb is a linking verb, examine the words following it. Are they a noun or pronoun (predicate nominative) or an adjective (predicate adjective)?
Ask Questions: Ask questions like "What?" or "Who?" for predicate nominatives and "What kind?" or "How?" for predicate adjectives. The answer to these questions will help you identify the subject complement.
Consider the Context: The context of the sentence is crucial. Sometimes, the same word can function differently depending on the sentence structure and the verb used.

Common Mistakes and Nuances

Several common mistakes can arise when dealing with subject complements. Let's address some of the most frequent errors:

Confusing Subject Complements with Direct Objects: Remember that direct objects receive the action of a transitive verb, while subject complements describe or identify the subject via a linking verb.
Incorrect Verb Tense Agreement: Ensure that the verb agrees in number and tense with the subject.
Misusing Predicate Adjectives with Action Verbs: Predicate adjectives only appear with linking verbs. Using them with action verbs creates grammatically incorrect sentences.
Using Incorrect Pronoun Case: When using pronouns as predicate nominatives, ensure they are in the nominative (subject) case, not the objective case. For example, "It was she," not "It was her."
Ignoring the Context: The context of the sentence dramatically influences the interpretation and function of words. A word that may act as a predicate adjective in one sentence could act differently in another.

Subject Complements in Complex Sentences

Subject complements can also appear in more complex sentence structures. They can be phrases, clauses, or even entire sentences. For instance:

Her biggest fear was that she would fail the exam. (The clause "that she would fail the exam" acts as a subject complement.)
The problem appears to be more complicated than we initially thought. (The phrase "more complicated than we initially thought" functions as a predicate adjective.)
What he needed most was a good night's sleep. (The phrase "a good night's sleep" is a predicate nominative.)

Understanding how subject complements function within these complex sentence structures requires close examination of the verb and the relationship between the subject and the complementing phrase or clause.

Practical Application and Further Exploration

Mastering subject complements enhances your writing precision and grammatical accuracy. It allows for the creation of more nuanced and descriptive sentences. By understanding the distinctions between predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives, and by practicing identifying them within various sentence structures, you can significantly improve your writing abilities.

For further exploration, consider delving into advanced grammar texts that cover sentence diagramming and syntactic analysis. These resources can provide a deeper understanding of the structural role of subject complements within the broader context of English grammar. Remember that consistent practice and attention to detail are key to mastering this essential grammatical component. Reviewing examples, diagramming sentences, and actively seeking out subject complements in your reading material will solidify your understanding. By actively engaging with this concept, you'll become more confident and proficient in writing clear, grammatically sound sentences.