If you’ve ever said, “The soup smells delicious,” congrats — you’ve already used a predicate adjective without even knowing it. These little grammar gems show up more often than you’d think. But what exactly are predicate adjectives, and how do they work?
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know: definitions, examples, rules, and even a few mistakes to watch out for. Whether you’re brushing up your grammar for better writing or just trying to sound a bit more polished in conversation, you’ll find this guide useful.
What Is a Predicate Adjective?
A predicate adjective is an adjective that comes after a linking verb and describes the subject of the sentence.
Let’s break it down:
- Adjective = a word that describes a noun
- Predicate = the part of the sentence that contains the verb and tells something about the subject
- Linking verb = a verb that connects the subject to more information (like “is,” “seems,” “feels,” etc.)
Example:
- The weather is cold.
→ “Cold” is the predicate adjective, describing “weather.”
So in short, a predicate adjective completes the meaning of the subject by telling us what it is like — and it does so through a linking verb.
Identifying Predicate Adjectives
To identify a predicate adjective in a sentence, follow these steps:
- Locate the verb in the sentence.
- Determine if the verb is a linking verb. Remember, linking verbs connect the subject to a description rather than showing action.
- Look for an adjective that follows the linking verb and describes the subject.
For example, in “The flowers look beautiful,” “look” is a linking verb, and “beautiful” is an adjective describing “flowers.” Therefore, “beautiful” is a predicate adjective.
Let’s practice with a few sentences:
- “The test was difficult.” (difficult is the predicate adjective)
- “She seems tired.” (tired is the predicate adjective)
- “The sky turned dark.” (dark is the predicate adjective)
These examples help reinforce how to spot predicate adjectives in various contexts.
Common Linking Verbs That Lead to Predicate Adjectives
Not all verbs lead to predicate adjectives — only linking verbs do. Here are some of the most common ones:
- To be verbs: is, am, are, was, were, be, been
- Sense verbs: look, smell, sound, taste, feel
- Change-of-state verbs: become, seem, appear, grow, turn, remain, stay
Examples:
- She looks tired. (Tired = predicate adjective)
- The soup smells delicious.
- They are excited about the trip.
Tip: If you can replace the verb with “is” or “are” and it still makes sense, you’re likely dealing with a linking verb.
Predicate Adjective vs Attributive Adjective
Let’s clear up a common confusion. What’s the difference between a predicate adjective and a regular one (called an attributive adjective)?
| Type | Example | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| Predicate Adjective | The cake is sweet. | Comes after the verb |
| Attributive Adjective | The sweet cake is gone. | Comes before the noun |
Same word — different role, depending on where it shows up.
More Examples of Predicate Adjectives in Action
Here are a few more examples to help you spot predicate adjectives:
| Sentence | Subject | Linking Verb | Predicate Adjective |
|---|---|---|---|
| This chair is comfortable. | This chair | is | comfortable |
| The sky looks blue. | The sky | looks | blue |
| My cat seems annoyed. | My cat | seems | annoyed |
| Your idea sounds brilliant. | Your idea | sounds | brilliant |
| He became angry. | He | became | angry |
Notice how the adjective always tells us something about the subject — not the object or another part of the sentence.
Can Predicate Adjectives Be Phrases?
Yes, and this trips people up.
Sometimes a predicate adjective isn’t just one word — it can be an adjective phrase.
Examples:
- That dress is too expensive for me.
- The team was more motivated than ever.
- He looks ready to go.
As long as the whole phrase is describing the subject through a linking verb, it still counts as a predicate adjective.
Negative Sentences with Predicate Adjectives
Predicate adjectives don’t disappear in negative sentences — you just add not.
Examples:
- The food is not spicy.
- She doesn’t seem happy.
- They aren’t ready yet.
The structure stays the same — subject, linking verb, adjective — but with a little negation added in.
Questions with Predicate Adjectives
Same deal when you flip the sentence into a question.
Examples:
- Is this seat taken?
- Are you hungry?
- Does she look worried?
The predicate adjective still describes the subject, even when the order of the words changes.
Common Mistakes with Predicate Adjectives
Learners often make mistakes when using predicate adjectives, so let’s address some common pitfalls:
Confusing Predicate Adjectives with Adverbs
One frequent error is using an adverb instead of an adjective after a linking verb. Since the word is describing the subject (a noun), it should be an adjective, not an adverb.
- Incorrect: “The cake tastes badly.”
- Correct: “The cake tastes bad.” (“bad” describes “cake”)
This mistake often happens with verbs like “smell,” “taste,” or “look,” which can be linking or action verbs. For example:
- Linking: “The dog smells bad.” (bad describes the dog, meaning it has a bad odor)
- Action: “The dog smells badly.” (badly describes how the dog smells, implying a poor sense of smell)
Distinguishing Between Predicate Adjectives and Predicate Nominatives
Another mistake is confusing predicate adjectives with predicate nominatives. Predicate nominatives are nouns or pronouns that follow linking verbs and rename the subject.
- Example: “She is a doctor.” (“doctor” is a predicate nominative, a noun)
- Example: “She is brilliant.” (“brilliant” is a predicate adjective, an adjective)
To avoid confusion, check if the word following the linking verb is an adjective (describing) or a noun/pronoun (renaming).
Adjectives Used Only in Certain Positions
Some adjectives are typically used only as predicate adjectives and not attributively. For instance:
- Correct: “The child is afraid.” (predicative)
- Incorrect: “The afraid child.” (should be “the frightened child”)
Similarly, some adjectives are mainly attributive:
- Correct: “The main reason.” (attributive)
- Incorrect: “The reason is main.” (better to say “the reason is important”)
Being aware of these preferences can help you use adjectives correctly and avoid grammatical errors.
Additional Notes for Learners
Predicate adjectives can be modified by adverbs, such as in “My uncle is very rich,” where “very” modifies “rich.” They can also appear in lists, connected by conjunctions or commas, like in “The flag was red, white, and blue.”
In some cases, past participles can function as predicate adjectives, such as in “It always seems impossible until it is done,” where “done” is a past participle used as an adjective. This adds another layer of complexity, but it’s common in English.
Why Predicate Adjectives Matter in Writing and Speaking
You might wonder, why should I care?
Well, predicate adjectives make your writing more expressive and your speaking more vivid. Instead of saying “The movie was okay,” you could say “The movie was disappointing,” “hilarious,” or “surprisingly touching.”
It’s a small tweak that adds personality, clarity, and precision to your sentences.
Here’s what predicate adjectives help you do:
- Describe subjects more naturally
- Avoid repetitive sentence structures
- Sound more fluent and professional
- Write sentences that flow better
Wrap-Up: Why This Small Grammar Trick Packs a Big Punch
So now you know — a predicate adjective is an adjective that comes after a linking verb and describes the subject.
They might seem subtle, but mastering them can make your English sound a lot more natural and professional. From “The sky is clear” to “That sounds amazing,” predicate adjectives are everywhere — and once you know what they are, you’ll spot them all the time.
Key Takeaways
- A predicate adjective follows a linking verb and describes the subject.
- Common linking verbs include “is,” “seems,” “looks,” “feels,” “becomes.”
- Watch out for confusing action verbs and using adverbs by mistake.
- Predicate adjectives help you write and speak with more clarity and impact.
Exercises to Practice Predicate Adjectives
Ready to test your skills? Try filling in the blanks with predicate adjectives.
Fill-in-the-Blank:
- This blanket feels _______.
- You look _______ in that outfit.
- The water is _______ today.
- That idea sounds _______.
- He became _______ after the accident.
(Answers: soft, great, cold, smart, quiet — but many others are possible.)