For those of you who find yourselves scratching your heads at the term “subject complement,” don’t worry—you’re not alone. Although this concept might sound complicated, it is actually quite straightforward when broken down. This article aims to explain subject complements and show you how they work in English sentences, with easy-to-understand examples.

What Are Subject Complements?

A subject complement is a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and describes or identifies the subject of the sentence. Not every sentence will have a subject complement, but when it appears, it adds crucial information about the subject.

Types of Subject Complements

Predicate Nominative

This is a noun or pronoun that renames or identifies the subject.

  • Example: She is a teacher.

Here, “she” is the subject, “is” is the verb, and “a teacher” is the complement. This complement tells us more information about the subject. Specifically, it is identifying information.

Here, “She” is the subject, “is” is the verb, and “a teacher” is the complement.

More Examples:

  1. The young girl is the valedictorian of her class.
    • Here, “the valedictorian of her class” is the predicate nominative that renames “the young girl.”
  2. My friends are engineers.
    • In this sentence, “engineers” is the predicate nominative that identifies what “My friends” are.
  3. He is the best player on the team.
    • Here, “the best player on the team” is the predicate nominative that renames “he.”
  4. The CEO of the company will be Sarah.
    • In this example, “Sarah” is the predicate nominative identifying who “the CEO of the company” will be.
  5. At the end of the movie, the hero becomes a legend.
    • “A legend” is the predicate nominative that renames “the hero.”
  6. They were the culprits.
    • Here, “the culprits” is the predicate nominative identifying who “they” were.
  7. The winners of the competition are my siblings.
    • In this sentence, “my siblings” is the predicate nominative that identifies “the winners of the competition.”
  8. Your best option is this course.
    • “This course” is the predicate nominative that identifies what “your best option” is.
  9. She was the star of the show.
    • Here, “the star of the show” is the predicate nominative that identifies “she.”
  10. Their choices were an enigma.
    • In this example, “an enigma” is the predicate nominative that renames “Their choices.”

These examples should give you a clearer understanding of how predicate nominatives function in sentences. They rename or identify the subject, helping to provide more information or clarification.

Predicate Adjective

This is an adjective that describes the subject.

  • Example: The cake is delicious.

Remember that an adjective describes a noun, so in this case “delicious” tells us something about the cake (specifically, its taste).

More Examples:

  1. The sky is cloudy.
    • In this example, “cloudy” is the predicate adjective that describes “the sky.”
  2. The books seem interesting.
    • Here, “interesting” is the predicate adjective describing what “the books” are like.
  3. She feels happy.
    • “Happy” is the predicate adjective that describes how “she” feels.
  4. The students are excited about the field trip.
    • In this sentence, “excited” is the predicate adjective that describes “the students.”
  5. The new employee became nervous during the presentation.
    • “Nervous” is the predicate adjective that describes “the new employee.”
  6. The house looks old.
    • Here, “old” is the predicate adjective describing the appearance of “the house.”
  7. The journey was long and exhausting.
    • In this sentence, “long and exhausting” are predicate adjectives that describe “the journey.”
  8. The sauce is spicy.
    • “Spicy” is the predicate adjective that describes how “the sauce” tastes.
  9. The music sounds loud.
    • In this example, “loud” is the predicate adjective describing how “the music” sounds.
  10. His ideas are innovative.
    • “Innovative” is the predicate adjective describing “his ideas.”

These examples should help you understand how predicate adjectives function to describe the subject of a sentence. They often give more information about the subject’s characteristics, state, or condition. You can learn about adjective clauses here.

Basic Rules for Using Subject Complements

Linking Verbs

Subject complements are always connected to the subject by a linking verb. True linking verbs are: “to be” (am, is, were, have been, etc.), “become,” and “seem.”

  • Example: They are students.

Additional Examples:

  1. The baby is cute.
    • “Cute” is the subject complement describing “the baby,” connected by the linking verb “is.”
  2. She seems tired.
    • “Tired” is the subject complement describing “she,” connected by the linking verb “seems.”
  3. The flowers are beautiful.
    • “Beautiful” is the subject complement describing “the flowers,” connected by the linking verb “are.”
  4. The soup is salty.
    • “Salty” is the subject complement describing how “the soup” tastes, connected by the linking verb “is.”
  5. We became friends.
    • “Friends” is the subject complement renaming “we,” connected by the linking verb “became.”

These examples should help you understand how linking verbs work in tandem with subject complements to give more information about the subject of a sentence. (Don’t forget to pay attention to subject-verb agreement.)

Linking Verbs vs Action Verbs

There are some verbs that can be either linking verbs or action verbs. For example:

  • appear, feel, grow, look, prove, remain, smell, sound, taste, turn

Remember that we use only linking verbs to connect a subject and complement. An action verb might be used with a direct object. For example:

  • She feels cold.
  • She feels the soft fur of her coat with her fingertips.

In the first example, “feel” is a linking verb. In the second, it is an action verb. That’s because in the first example it merely connects two ideas. We could express this:

  • she = cold

In the second one, however, she is performing an action.

This brings us to the rule…

Don’t Use Action Verbs with Subject Complements!

Avoid using action verbs when constructing sentences with subject complements.

  • Incorrect: She works a teacher.
  • Correct: She is a teacher.

Additional Examples:

  1. Incorrect: The pie flavoured wonderful.
    • Correct: The pie is wonderful.
    • “Flavoured” is an action verb here and should not be used with subject complements. “Is” is the correct linking verb.
  2. Incorrect: The class studies difficult.
    • Correct: The class is difficult.
    • This is not grammatically possible and we need a linking verb to connect these ideas. However, “studies” is an action verb.
  3. Incorrect: The song sounds a hit.
    • Correct: The song is a hit.
    • “Sounds” is an action verb describing the act of producing sound. Use “is” as the linking verb instead.

These examples illustrate the importance of using linking verbs, not action verbs, when you’re constructing sentences with subject complements.

Examples and Context

Predicate Nominative

  • John is a pilot.
  • The children were angels during the ceremony.

Additional Examples:

  1. Maria is the captain of the team.
    • Here, “Maria” is the subject, “is” is the linking verb, and “the captain of the team” is the predicate nominative.
  2. The weather today was a disaster.
    • In this example, “The weather today” is the subject, “was” is the linking verb, and “a disaster” is the predicate nominative.
  3. My favourite hobby is reading.
    • “My favourite hobby” is the subject, “is” is the linking verb, and “reading” is the predicate nominative that renames the subject.
  4. She will be an engineer.
    • Here, “She” is the subject, “will be” is the linking verb, and “an engineer” is the predicate nominative.
  5. We are the champions.
    • In this case, “We” is the subject, “are” is the linking verb, and “the champions” is the predicate nominative.

Predicate Adjective

  • This recipe is easy.
  • You seem tired.

Additional Examples:

  1. The sky is blue.
    • Here, “The sky” is the subject, “is” is the linking verb, and “blue” is the predicate adjective that describes the subject.
  2. The food tastes delicious.
    • In this case, “The food” is the subject, “tastes” is the linking verb, and “delicious” is the predicate adjective.
  3. The movie was boring.
    • Here, “The movie” is the subject, “was” is the linking verb, and “boring” is the predicate adjective.
  4. The books are interesting.
    • “The books” is the subject, “are” is the linking verb, and “interesting” is the predicate adjective.
  5. The water feels cold.
    • In this example, “The water” is the subject, “feels” is the linking verb, and “cold” is the predicate adjective.

Advanced Tips for Using Subject Complements

Utilising Other Linking Verbs

Although “to be” is the most common linking verb, there are others such as “seem,” “become,” “appear,” “feel,” and “look” that can also connect the subject to its complement.

  • Example: She appears happy.
  • Example: You become what you believe.

Combining Predicate Nominatives and Adjectives

It’s possible to have both a predicate nominative and a predicate adjective in a sentence, although this is less common.

  • Example: The issue is a nuisance and troubling.

Here, “a nuisance” is a predicate nominative that renames “the issue,” and “troubling” is a predicate adjective that describes “the issue.”

Can a Subject Complement be a Phrase?

Yes, a subject complement can be a phrase, as long as it collectively serves the purpose of renaming or describing the subject.

  • Example: The man is the one wearing a red shirt.

What If the Sentence has Multiple Subjects or Verbs?

Even in sentences with multiple subjects or verbs, the subject complement will relate back to the subject connected to the linking verb.

  • Example: She and her brother are students.

You can review your knowledge of clauses here.

Exercises for Practice

  1. Identify the Subject Complement: Read the following sentences and identify the subject complements.
    • She is a dancer.
    • They seem tired.
    • The sky becomes dark.
  2. Create Your Own: Try writing your own sentences that include subject complements. Use different types of linking verbs for practice.
  3. Spot the Error: Find the mistake in the sentences below.
    • Incorrect: They feels happy.
    • Incorrect: She is a the best.

In summary, a subject complement is an indispensable element in English grammar that can either rename or describe the subject in a sentence. Mastering its usage involves understanding its types—predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives—and recognising the linking verbs that introduce them. By practising and applying these rules and guidelines, you’ll not only improve your grasp of English but also gain the confidence to construct clearer and more precise sentences.