predicate adjective: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowAcademic, Technical, Formal Education
Quick answer
What does “predicate adjective” mean?
An adjective that follows a linking verb and modifies the subject of a sentence.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An adjective that follows a linking verb and modifies the subject of a sentence.
Also known as a predicate adjective, this describes a state, condition, or quality of the subject by completing the meaning of a linking verb (e.g., be, seem, become).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term itself is identical and used with the same meaning. The grammatical concept is taught identically.
Connotations
Slightly more common in American pedagogical texts, but the difference is negligible.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to grammar instruction.
Grammar
How to Use “predicate adjective” in a Sentence
SVCs (Subject-Verb-Complement subjective)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “predicate adjective” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The term is used to predicate a quality of the subject.
American English
- We predicate the adjective 'tall' on the subject in that construction.
adverb
British English
- The grammarian spoke predicatively about adjective placement.
American English
- He explained the concept predicate-adjectively.
adjective
British English
- The predicate adjective function is crucial for clause analysis.
American English
- In that sentence, 'happy' serves a predicate adjective role.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Might appear in a training manual for language teachers.
Academic
Used in linguistics, grammar textbooks, and language teaching methodology.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Core term in grammatical description and analysis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “predicate adjective”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “predicate adjective”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “predicate adjective”
- Confusing it with an adverb after a linking verb (e.g., 'She feels badly' vs. 'She feels bad').
- Placing it directly before the noun it modifies (which would make it an attributive adjective).
- Using it with an action verb instead of a linking verb.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, these are synonymous terms used in grammatical description.
Most can, but some adjectives are primarily or exclusively attributive (e.g., 'main', 'utter', 'former') and sound odd in the predicate position.
A predicate adjective follows a linking verb and describes the subject. An adverb typically modifies an action verb, an adjective, or another adverb.
Yes, many languages have similar constructions, though the linking verb might be omitted (e.g., in Russian) or the adjective might require a specific form or particle.
An adjective that follows a linking verb and modifies the subject of a sentence.
Predicate adjective is usually academic, technical, formal education in register.
Predicate adjective: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpred.ɪ.kət ˈædʒ.ɪk.tɪv/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpred.ə.kət ˈædʒ.ək.tɪv/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember PREDICATE: it's what you say about the subject (PREDIcate Adjective DEScribes the subject).
Conceptual Metaphor
GRAMMAR IS A MAP (the predicate adjective is a location on the map describing the subject's state).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences contains a predicate adjective?