Dictionary Wiki
Some verbs do not show an action. Instead, they point back to the subject and attach more information to it. The word or group of words that completes that connection is called a subject complement. It may identify the subject, as in a predicate noun, or describe the subject, as in a predicate adjective. Once you know how linking verbs work, subject complements become much easier to spot in sentences.
On This Page
- Subject Complements, Defined
- How Linking Verbs Connect Ideas
- Predicate Nouns, Also Called Predicate Nominatives
- Predicate Adjectives After Linking Verbs
- How Subject Complements Differ from Direct Objects
- A Simple Way to Find Subject Complements
- When a Sentence Has More Than One Complement
- Using Phrases as Subject Complements
- Using Clauses as Subject Complements
- Mistakes Writers Often Make
- Try It Yourself
Subject Complements, Defined
A subject complement is a noun, pronoun, adjective, or phrase that comes after a linking verb and gives needed information about the subject. With many linking verbs, the sentence feels unfinished until the complement appears. Compare these versions:
Incomplete: "The hallway became." (Became what?)
Complete: "The hallway became quiet." (Subject complement: "quiet")
Complete: "The hallway became a shelter." (Subject complement: "a shelter")
Subject complements do one of two jobs. They either rename the subject, which creates a predicate noun, or they describe the subject, which creates a predicate adjective.
How Linking Verbs Connect Ideas
Subject complements appear only after linking verbs. A linking verb does not name an action the subject performs. It joins the subject to a word or phrase that explains, identifies, or describes it. The most frequent linking verb is "be" in its many forms: am, is, are, was, were, been, and being. Other verbs can also work as linking verbs in the right sentence.
Linking Verbs You’ll See Often
| Category | Verbs |
|---|---|
| Forms of "be" | am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being |
| Sensory verbs | look, sound, smell, taste, feel |
| State-of-being verbs | appear, seem, become, grow, remain, stay, turn, prove |
Quick Linking-Verb Test: Try replacing the verb with a form of "be," such as am, is, or are. If the sentence still works, the verb is probably linking. "The bread smells fresh" → "The bread is fresh" ✓ (linking verb). "Lena smelled the bread" → "Lena is the bread" ✗ (action verb).
When the Same Verb Shows Action Instead
Some verbs shift roles depending on how they are used. If the verb shows an action, the word after it is not a subject complement. It is often a direct object:
Linking: "The orchestra sounds excellent." (Subject complement: "excellent" describes "orchestra")
Action: "The technician sounded the alarm." (Direct object: "the alarm" receives the action)
Predicate Nouns, Also Called Predicate Nominatives
A predicate noun, or predicate nominative, is a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and identifies the subject in another way. The subject and the predicate noun name the same person, place, thing, or idea.
"My uncle is a firefighter." (Uncle = firefighter)
"Maya Angelou was a poet." (Maya Angelou = poet)
"The speaker was he." (Speaker = he)
"This old mill became a museum." (Mill = museum)
One useful clue is that a predicate noun can often trade places with the subject and still make sense logically: "A firefighter is my uncle." "A poet was Maya Angelou." The result may sound less natural, but the equal relationship remains.
Predicate Nouns Compared with Direct Objects
Do not confuse a predicate noun with a direct object. A predicate noun renames the subject. A direct object receives an action and is not the same as the subject:
Predicate noun: "Marco is a chef." (Marco = chef; linking verb)
Direct object: "Marco hired a chef." (Marco ≠ chef; action verb)
Predicate Adjectives After Linking Verbs
A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and tells something about the subject. Unlike an attributive adjective, which appears before a noun, a predicate adjective comes after the verb.
"The river looks calm." (Describes "river")
"Our neighbors seem friendly." (Describes "neighbors")
"The instructions were confusing." (Describes "instructions")
"The towels feel damp." (Describes "towels")
Predicate Adjectives Are Not Adverbs
A frequent mistake is to put an adverb after a linking verb when the sentence needs an adjective:
✗ "The sauce tastes strangely." (This suggests the sauce is doing the tasting in a strange way.)
✓ "The sauce tastes strange." (This describes the sauce’s taste.)
✗ "I feel sadly about the news." (This points to the manner of feeling, not the state.)
✓ "I feel sad about the news." (This describes your emotional condition.)
After a linking verb, choose an adjective because the word is describing the subject rather than modifying the verb.
How Subject Complements Differ from Direct Objects
| Feature | Subject Complement | Direct Object |
|---|---|---|
| Follows | A linking verb | An action verb |
| Function | Renames or describes the subject | Receives the action of the verb |
| Same as subject? | Yes (renames) or describes | No (different entity) |
| Example | "Nora is a nurse." (Nora = nurse) | "Nora thanked a nurse." (Nora ≠ nurse) |
A Simple Way to Find Subject Complements
- Locate the verb. Decide whether it is linking or action. The "be" substitution test can help.
- Check what follows the verb. A noun or pronoun that renames the subject is a predicate noun. An adjective that describes the subject is a predicate adjective.
- Ask about the relationship. Does the word after the verb identify the subject or describe it? If so, you have found a subject complement.
When a Sentence Has More Than One Complement
More than one word or phrase can complete the same subject. When that happens, the sentence has a compound subject complement:
"The cabin feels warm and welcoming." (Two predicate adjectives)
"She is both a scientist and an inventor." (Two predicate nouns)
"The morning remained foggy, cold, and still." (Three predicate adjectives)
Using Phrases as Subject Complements
A subject complement does not have to be a single word. Several kinds of phrases can fill the complement slot after a linking verb:
Noun Phrases as Complements
"Their biggest challenge was finding an apartment before September."
Prepositional Phrases as Complements
"The keys are under the welcome mat."
"The hikers were near the ridge."
Infinitive Phrases as Complements
"His plan is to open a bakery."
"The assignment was to interview three residents."
Gerund Phrases as Complements
"My favorite weekend activity is hiking along the river."
Using Clauses as Subject Complements
A full clause can also act as a subject complement. These are often noun clauses beginning with words such as "that," "what," "whoever," "whatever," and similar terms:
"The truth is that nobody saw the signal."
"The issue remains whether the budget will pass."
"A good friend is whoever stays honest with you."
Mistakes Writers Often Make
1. Choosing an Adverb When an Adjective Is Needed
✗ "The room smells pleasantly."
✓ "The room smells pleasant."
2. Using the Wrong Pronoun Case
In formal English, subject-case pronouns such as I, he, she, we, and they are used after linking verbs because the pronoun identifies the subject:
✓ "The caller was she." (formal)
✓ "This is I." (formal)
In everyday conversation, object-case forms such as "It's me" and "That's him" are common, accepted, and standard in casual use.
3. Mixing Up Linking and Action Meanings
"The crowd grew restless." (Linking: "restless" describes "crowd")
"The farmer grew corn." (Action: "corn" is a direct object)
Try It Yourself
Find the subject complement in each sentence, then label it as a predicate noun or predicate adjective:
- "The coffee tastes bitter."
- "My cousin is a mechanic."
- "The delay became frustrating."
- "That woman is the mayor."
- "The roses smell sweet."
- "His dream was to become a pilot."
Answers: 1. "bitter" — predicate adjective. 2. "a mechanic" — predicate noun. 3. "frustrating" — predicate adjective. 4. "the mayor" — predicate noun. 5. "sweet" — predicate adjective. 6. "to become a pilot" — predicate noun (infinitive phrase renaming "dream").
Main Point: A subject complement finishes the meaning of a linking verb by giving information about the subject. Predicate nouns identify or rename the subject, while predicate adjectives describe it. If the verb is linking, use an adjective rather than an adverb, and remember that the complement points back to the subject.