predicate nominative: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Technical / AcademicFormal, academic, linguistic, pedagogical
Quick answer
What does “predicate nominative” mean?
A noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that follows a linking verb and renames, identifies, or explains the subject of the sentence.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that follows a linking verb and renames, identifies, or explains the subject of the sentence.
In formal grammar, a grammatical construction where a noun or pronoun in the nominative case completes the meaning of a copular verb (like 'be', 'become', 'seem') and refers back to the subject. It is a key component of subject complements in traditional sentence analysis.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used identically in grammatical theory. However, in some UK pedagogical contexts, the term 'subject complement' or simply 'complement' might be preferred, while 'predicate nominative' remains common in US school grammar.
Connotations
Connotes formal grammar instruction. Slightly more associated with traditional Latin-based grammar teaching in the US.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse; high frequency in grammar textbooks, linguistics papers, and English language teaching materials.
Grammar
How to Use “predicate nominative” in a Sentence
SVC (Subject-Verb-Complement) where C is a noun/noun phraseNP + LV + NP (where the second NP refers to the first)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in linguistics, grammar studies, and language pedagogy papers.
Everyday
Extremely rare outside of grammar discussions.
Technical
Core term in descriptive and prescriptive grammatical analysis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “predicate nominative”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “predicate nominative”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “predicate nominative”
- Confusing it with a direct object (e.g., 'He hit the ball' vs 'He is the ballplayer').
- Using the objective case pronoun after a linking verb (e.g., incorrect: 'It was me.' vs formal: 'It was I.').
- Thinking it only follows the verb 'be' (it can follow 'become', 'seem', 'appear').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in most traditional grammars, 'predicate noun' is a simpler synonym for 'predicate nominative'.
Yes. In formal English, the pronoun should be in the subjective case (e.g., 'It is I/he/she/we/they'). However, the objective case ('me/him/her/us/them') is widely used in informal speech.
A predicate nominative follows a linking verb and renames the subject. A direct object follows an action verb and receives the action. Compare: 'She is a leader.' (predicate nominative) vs. 'She leads a team.' (direct object).
No. Linking verbs can be followed by a predicate nominative (noun) or a predicate adjective. 'He seems tired.' (adjective) vs. 'He seems a fool.' (nominative).
A noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that follows a linking verb and renames, identifies, or explains the subject of the sentence.
Predicate nominative is usually formal, academic, linguistic, pedagogical in register.
Predicate nominative: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpred.ɪ.kət ˈnɒm.ɪ.nə.tɪv/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpred.ə.kət ˈnɑː.mə.nə.t̬ɪv/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PREDICATE NOMINATIVE = Noun Naming the Subject in the Predicate. After 'is' or 'was', a noun that is the same as the subject.
Conceptual Metaphor
GRAMMAR IS ARCHITECTURE (a 'predicate nominative' is a supporting structural component of a sentence).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences contains a predicate nominative?