S U B J E C T C O M P L E M E N T S

A subject complement is a word or group of words that follows a linking verb and renames or describes the subject.

• It links a subject to another noun ; it renames the subject.
• It links a subject to an adjective ; it describes the subject.

A predicate noun follows a linking verb and defines or renames the subject.
Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania.
Subject LV Predicate Noun
The word “city” defines Philadelphia.

The capital of Pennsylvania is Harrisburg .
Subject LV Predicate Noun
The word “Harrisburg” renames capital.

A predicate adjective follows a linking verb and describes a quality of the subject.
Philadelphia cheesesteaks taste great .
Subject LV Predicate Adj.
The word “great” describes cheesesteaks.

The town of Hershey in Pennsylvania smells delicious. A huge candy factory is the source of this pleasurable sensation. Tourists seem happy just to breath in the air.
Can you find the predicate noun in the paragraph?
source
Can you find the predicate adjectives ?
delicious & happy

1. Chicago is the Windy City.
Windy City renames Chicago; it’s a PN.
2. This nickname is a reference to loud and windy promoters.
Reference renames nickname; it’s a PN.
3. Denver is the Mile-High City.
Mile-High City renames
Denver; it’s a
PN.

4. It is high above sea level.
High describes it; high is a PA.
5. Paris became the City of Lights long ago.
City of Lights renames Paris; it’s a PN.
6. It looks so beautiful at night.
Beautiful describes it; beautiful is a PA.
7. Molde, Norway, is the Town of Roses.
Town of Roses renames Molde, Norway; it’s a PN.

8. It’s rose gardens smell fragrant.
Fragrant describes gardens; it’s a PA.
9. Tin Can Island is the nickname for Niuafo’ou,
Tonga.
Nickname renames Tin Can Island; it’s a PN .
10. Tin cans are the containers that islanders used for exchanging letters to passing ships.
Containers renames cans; it’s a PN.