Download LINKING VERBS

LINKING VERBS
PREDICATE ADJECTIVES
Predicate Adjectives:
A predicate adjective is a describing word that occurs after the verb and goes
back to describe the subject of the sentence.
In order for a word to be a predicate adjective, you must have the following:
A. The sentence must contain a linking verb.
B. The adjective occurring after the verb must go back and describe the subject
of the sentence.
P.A.
Examples:
The car is white. (white car)
P.A.
This bread tastes stale. (stale bread)
P.A.
A baby feels soft. (soft baby)
Be sure that the sentence contains a linking verb.
Terry rides a spotted horse. Spotted is not a predicate adj. The verb rides is
not a linking verb*. Therefore, spotted can’t
possibly be a predicate adjective. In addition,
spotted describes horse. Terry, the subject, is
not spotted.
Always use these questions as a check:
1. Is there a possible linking verb?
2. Is there a describing word (adjective) after the verb?
3. Does that describing word (adjective) go back to describe the
subject?
COMPOUND PREDICATE ADJECTIVES:
There may be more than one predicate adjective in a sentence.
P.A. P.A.
P.A.
Examples: The Italian flag is red, white, and green.
P.A.
P.A.
Kirby became tired and sleepy in geometry class.