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Predicate Adjectives in English | My Language Classes

What Are Predicate Adjectives in English: Rules, Examples & Exercises
Ever wondered why we say โThe soup smells deliciousโ instead of โThe soup is a deliciousโ? Or why โHe became angryโ makes sense, but โHe became angrilyโ doesnโt? These are all examples of predicate adjectives in actionโa powerful grammar concept every English learner needs to master.
So, what exactly are predicate adjectives in English grammar?
How do they work?
And how can you use them to make your sentences sound more natural and correct?
Youโre about to find out.
Whether you’re just starting your English journey or brushing up on your grammar for professional fluency, understanding how predicate adjectives function will boost your sentence structure, vocabulary usage, and overall communication clarity. They’re found in daily conversations, songs, novels, and even school textbooksโyet many learners misunderstand them or mix them up with other parts of speech like attributive adjectives or adverbs.
โPredicate adjectives are adjectives that come after linking verbs and describe the subject of the sentence.โ
Thatโs it!
But thereโs a lot more to learn to use them confidently and correctly in real-life communication.
According to authoritative resources like Merriam-Webster and Grammarly, predicate adjectives are essential for creating clear, descriptive statements and often follow common linking verbs like is, seems, becomes, and feels.
Hereโs why they matter:
- They help describe the subject directly and clearly
- They work with linking verbs, not action verbs
- Theyโre often confused with adverbs or subject complements
As we go deeper into this blog, youโll learn how to recognize, form, and use predicate adjectives easilyโwith examples, tables, and practice exercises to help you feel confident in your everyday speech and writing.
Letโs start with the basics.
What Is a Predicate Adjective? Explanation and Overview
A predicate adjective is an adjective that comes after a linking verb and describes the subject of the sentence. Itโs called โpredicateโ because it appears in the predicate part of the sentenceโnot before the noun like most adjectives.
๐ Think of it this way:
Instead of saying โa happy child,โ we say โThe child is happy.โ
In this case, โhappyโ is a predicate adjectiveโitโs describing the child, but it comes after the verb โis.โ
What does predicate adjective mean in English?
A predicate adjective is a word that tells us more about the subject of the sentence, but it comes after a verb like is, seems, feels, or becomes.
โ Basic Structure:
Hereโs the formula:
Subject + Linking Verb + Predicate Adjective
๐ Examples:
- The weather is cold.
- She feels tired.
- They seem excited.
- This soup tastes delicious.
In each example, the adjective at the end describes the subject, and it follows a linking verb.
๐ Whatโs a Linking Verb?
Linking verbs are verbs that connect the subject to additional informationโthey donโt show action. Some of the most common ones include:
- Be (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been)
- Seem
- Feel
- Look
- Sound
- Appear
- Become
- Grow
- Taste
- Smell
โ๏ธ Example with different linking verbs:
- He looks angry.
- The cake smells amazing.
- She became quiet.
These verbs act as bridges between the subject and the adjective that follows. That adjectiveโcalled the predicate adjectiveโtells us something about the subject.
๐ง Why Should You Learn Predicate Adjectives?
Predicate adjectives are everywhereโin books, movies, news, and casual speech. If you understand how they work, you can:
- Speak and write more naturally
- Avoid common grammar mistakes
- Improve your sentence structure
- Build clearer and more confident communication
Understanding predicate adjectives is a big step in mastering English sentence patterns, especially if youโre moving beyond basic sentence structures and want to sound fluent.
Everyday Sentences Using Predicate Adjectives: 10 Common Examples
Predicate adjectives are not just grammar theoryโthey show up in everyday life, all the time. Once you recognize how common they are, youโll start noticing them in real conversations, TV shows, and even your favorite songs.
Here are 10 easy and relatable examples of sentences that use predicate adjectives. Notice how each one follows the basic pattern:
Subject + Linking Verb + Predicate Adjective
โ 10 Real-Life Examples of Predicate Adjectives
- The coffee smells amazing.
โ โAmazingโ tells us how the coffee smells. - She is nervous about the test.
โ โNervousโ describes she, after the verb is. - They seem tired after the long trip.
โ โTiredโ is the adjective that tells us about they. - This movie looks interesting.
โ โInterestingโ gives more information about this movie. - He became angry when he heard the news.
โ โAngryโ describes the change in his emotion. - The sky is blue today.
โ โBlueโ tells us what the sky looks like. - You look confident on stage.
โ โConfidentโ tells us how you appear. - The room feels cold.
โ โColdโ describes how the room feels. - My brother is funny.
โ โFunnyโ gives more information about my brother. - Her explanation was clear.
โ โClearโ tells us about her explanation after the linking verb was.
๐ Notice the Pattern?
- All adjectives come after linking verbs.
- They donโt describe objectsโthey describe subjects.
- These are not action verbs like run or eat. They are linking verbs that show a state or condition.
๐ก Real Talk Tip:
Predicate adjectives often express feelings, conditions, or opinionsโthings like tired, excited, upset, calm, friendly, delicious, or helpful. These are words we use all the time to describe how someone or something is.
Knowing how to use them lets you sound more natural, fluent, and expressiveโwhether you’re having a casual chat or writing an important message.
When to Use Predicate Adjectives: All the Key Situations
Predicate adjectives arenโt just about grammarโthey help express how things are, feel, or seem in the moment. Youโll often use them when describing emotions, conditions, appearances, or states of being. Letโs look at the most common and practical situations where predicate adjectives naturally appear in English.
๐ข 1. Describing Emotions and Feelings
Use predicate adjectives to talk about how someone feels emotionally.
๐ Examples:
- She is happy.
- I feel anxious before exams.
- They seem relaxed after yoga.
๐ข 2. Describing Physical States or Conditions
Talk about how someone or something is physically.
๐ Examples:
- He looks tired.
- The soup is hot.
- My hands feel cold.
๐ข 3. Describing Personality or Traits
You can describe a personโs character or inner qualities.
๐ Examples:
- My brother is funny.
- The teacher seems strict.
- She is always kind.
๐ข 4. Talking About Appearances
When describing how things look to you or others, predicate adjectives are perfect.
๐ Examples:
- This dress looks beautiful.
- The sky is cloudy today.
- That building appears old.
๐ข 5. Talking About Taste, Smell, or Sound
Predicate adjectives follow verbs that describe the senses.
๐ Examples:
- This cake tastes delicious.
- The perfume smells strong.
- That song sounds amazing.
๐ข 6. Explaining Reactions or Changes Over Time
These are used to express a change of stateโhow something becomes different.
๐ Examples:
- He became upset after the call.
- Itโs getting dark outside.
- The problem grew serious quickly.
๐ข 7. Giving Your Opinion or Judgement
You can use predicate adjectives to give opinions in a polite and formal way.
๐ Examples:
- That seems unfair.
- Her idea sounds great.
- The explanation is clear.
โ Recap in Quick Points:
You use predicate adjectives when:
- Describing how something feels or appears
- Talking about emotions or moods
- Expressing physical states
- Describing taste, smell, sound, or look
- Talking about personality or behavior
- Expressing opinion or judgement
- Showing a change of condition or state
Conjugation Rules for Predicate Adjectives: Beginner-Friendly Guide
Predicate adjectives donโt get conjugated themselvesโthe verb before them does. To use predicate adjectives correctly, you need to conjugate the linking verb that comes before the adjective to match the subject and tense of the sentence.
Understanding this will help you speak and write with accuracy and confidence.
๐ฏ The Golden Rule:
The adjective stays the same. Only the linking verb changes.
๐ Common Linking Verbs Used Before Predicate Adjectives:
Here are the most commonly used linking verbs that youโll see before predicate adjectives:
- Be (am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being)
- Seem
- Feel
- Look
- Sound
- Smell
- Taste
- Become
- Grow
- Get
- Turn
- Stay
๐ Table 1: Conjugation of โBeโ with Predicate Adjectives
Subject | Present Tense | Past Tense | Example |
---|---|---|---|
I | am | was | I am tired. / I was tired. |
You | are | were | You are happy. / You were happy. |
He / She / It | is | was | He is sleepy. / He was sleepy. |
We / They | are | were | They are calm. / They were calm. |
๐ Note: โBeโ changes based on the subject and tense, but the adjective never changes.
๐ Table 2: Other Common Linking Verbs in Use
Verb | Present | Past | Example (Present) | Example (Past) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seem | seem(s) | seemed | She seems tired. | She seemed tired. |
Look | look(s) | looked | They look excited. | They looked excited. |
Feel | feel(s) | felt | I feel cold. | I felt cold. |
Become | become(s) | became | He becomes angry. | He became angry. |
Get | get(s) | got | It gets dark quickly. | It got dark quickly. |
Grow | grow(s) | grew | She grows quiet. | She grew quiet. |
Stay | stay(s) | stayed | The room stays clean. | The room stayed clean. |
๐ง Beginner Tip:
Linking verbs often follow patterns of regular and irregular verbs:
- Seem, look, feel, stay โ usually regular (add -ed for past)
- Become, get, grow โ irregular and must be memorized
๐ซ What NOT to Do:
- โ Wrong: She is cries. (mixing linking and action verbs)
- โ Wrong: He feels angrily. (โangrilyโ is an adverb, not an adjective)
- โ Correct: He feels angry.
๐ Quick Review:
- Conjugate the linking verb based on subject and tense
- Keep the adjective unchanged
- Use only adjectives, not adverbs, after linking verbs
Predicate Adjective Grammar Rules You Need to Know
Even though predicate adjectives may look simple, they follow specific grammar rules. Following these will help you avoid confusion and errors, especially when switching between adjectives and adverbs, or when dealing with different sentence structures.
Letโs break down the essential grammar rules you need to master predicate adjectives in English.
๐ Rule 1: Predicate Adjectives Always Follow Linking Verbs
A predicate adjective must always come after a linking verbโnever before a noun like attributive adjectives do.
โ Correct:
- The food is tasty.
- You seem happy.
โ Incorrect:
- The tasty is food.
- You happy seem.
๐ก Tip: The adjective must describe the subjectโnot the action.
๐ Rule 2: The Adjective Describes the Subject, Not the Verb
Predicate adjectives are part of the subject complement, which means they describe or rename the subject, not the verb or object.
โ Correct:
- This cake tastes delicious. (โDeliciousโ describes โcakeโ)
- He felt cold. (โColdโ describes โheโ)
โ Incorrect:
- He ran tiredly. (โTiredlyโ is an adverb, not an adjective)
- They looked slowly. (โSlowlyโ describes action, not a state)
๐ Rule 3: Do Not Use Adverbs Instead of Predicate Adjectives
This is one of the most common mistakes learners make. Adverbs modify verbsโnot nouns or subjects. Predicate adjectives describe the subject, so an adjective, not an adverb, must follow the linking verb.
โ Correct:
- She feels bad.
- He looks angry.
โ Incorrect:
- She feels badly.
- He looks angrily.
โ โBadโ is an adjective. โBadlyโ is an adverb. In predicate adjective structures, we need adjectives.
๐ Rule 4: Some Verbs Can Act as Linking Verbs or Action Verbs
Be carefulโsome verbs (like look, feel, grow, smell) can be used as linking verbs or action verbs, depending on the meaning of the sentence.
๐ Examples:
- Linking verb (describing the subject):
- The baby smells nice. (Describes how the baby smells)
- Action verb (describing what the subject is doing):
- The baby smells the flowers. (Action of smelling)
This distinction is important when deciding whether to use an adjective or an adverb.
๐ Rule 5: Predicate Adjectives Can Be Compound (Two or More Words)
Predicate adjectives can include more than one adjective, usually joined by and or or.
โ Examples:
- The weather is cold and windy.
- She looks tired but happy.
- That idea seems smart and practical.
These combinations still follow the same rule: describe the subject using adjectives after the linking verb.
๐ Rule 6: Use Predicate Adjectives with Questions Too
Predicate adjectives also appear in questions where the linking verb comes first.
โ Examples:
- Is she okay?
- Are you ready?
- Does it seem difficult?
The adjective still describes the subject. The structure is just flipped for a question.
๐ Quick Summary of Rules:
Rule | Key Point |
---|---|
1 | Comes after linking verbs |
2 | Describes the subject, not the verb |
3 | Use adjectives, not adverbs |
4 | Know if the verb is linking or action |
5 | Can be compound adjectives |
6 | Used in questions too |
Important Tips for Using Predicate Adjectives Correctly
Now that you understand what predicate adjectives are, letโs level up. This section focuses on pro tips, real learner challenges, and expert insights to make your English sound more native-like. We wonโt repeat any earlier rulesโinstead, weโll tackle common learner struggles that aren’t obvious at first glance.
๐ง Tip 1: Learn the “Adjective Feel” of Common Linking Verbs
Certain verbs almost always โfeelโ like they lead to adjectivesโnot actions. If you get familiar with these, your instincts will get sharper.
๐ Quick memory hack:
If the verb answers the question โWhat is the subject like?โ, it likely needs an adjective.
๐ Practice with these examples:
- He became… (What did he become? Angry.)
- The food tastes… (What does it taste like? Spicy.)
โก๏ธ Practicing this โfeelโ helps avoid switching to adverbs by mistake.
๐ Tip 2: Watch for Passive Voice Confusion
Predicate adjectives donโt work well with passive voice. Some learners confuse passive voice verbs (like was built, was eaten) with linking verbs like was, is, or became.
โ Predicate adjective:
- The car is fast.
โ Not a predicate adjective:
- The car was built quickly. (โQuicklyโ is an adverb in passive voice, not a predicate adjective.)
โก๏ธ Predicate adjectives describe a state, not a completed action.
๐ Tip 3: Use a Dictionary to Check if a Word Is an Adjective
Many English words can be both adjectives and adverbs, or even nouns. When in doubt, quickly check a reliable source like Cambridge Dictionary or Merriam-Webster.
Example:
- โFastโ is both an adjective and an adverb.
- โQuickโ is only an adjective.
- โQuicklyโ is only an adverb.
Using the right form will make your sentences clearer and grammatically correct.
โ๏ธ Tip 4: Use Predicate Adjectives in Writing to Add Emotion
Predicate adjectives are great tools for emotional depth in writingโespecially storytelling, letters, or dialogue.
๐ Instead of:
- โShe walked away.โ
Try:
- โShe walked away. She seemed broken.โ
โ Adds emotional weight using a predicate adjective.
โก๏ธ Writers and speakers use this trick to make language more personal and expressive.
๐ Tip 5: Pair Predicate Adjectives with Modifiers for More Precision
You can enhance your adjectives by pairing them with intensifiers like:
- Very
- A bit
- Extremely
- Too
- Quite
- So
๐ Examples:
- The teacher is very kind.
- The room felt quite stuffy.
- They seem too nervous to speak.
โก๏ธ This adds variety and natural flow to your language.
๐ข Tip 6: Listen for Predicate Adjectives in Real Speech
If you’re learning English actively, listen to short dialogues, movies, or YouTube clips. Pay attention to phrases that sound like:
- โShe seems tired.โ
- โThatโs interesting.โ
- โYou look great.โ
Write them down. Repeat them aloud. These are real-world sentence chunks that native speakers use all the time.
โก๏ธ This will build your speaking fluency naturally.
๐งฉ Tip 7: Use Sentence Frames to Practice
Create flexible sentence frames you can swap words into, like:
- โI feel ___.โ
- โThat looks ___.โ
- โYou are ___.โ
- โThe movie was ___.โ
โก๏ธ Use these frames daily. It improves both vocabulary recall and grammar confidence.
๐ง Expert Reminder:
Predicate adjectives are about expressing how something isโnot what it does. The more you observe, speak, and write them, the easier they become.
Common Mistakes with Predicate Adjectives and How to Fix Them
Even advanced learners slip up when it comes to predicate adjectivesโnot because the grammar is hard, but because certain habits or confusion with other grammar elements sneak in. Letโs break down the most frequent, often overlooked mistakes and learn how to fix them with confidence.
โ Mistake 1: Using a Predicate Adjective with the Wrong Type of Verb
Learners sometimes place adjectives after action verbs rather than linking verbsโleading to grammatically incorrect sentences.
๐ซ Incorrect:
- She ran tired.
(โRanโ is an action verb; it needs an adverb or a separate clause.)
โ Correct:
- She was tired after running.
OR - She ran and felt tired.
๐ Fix: Always checkโis the verb linking or action? Predicate adjectives follow linking verbs only.
โ Mistake 2: Overusing “Be” and Ignoring Other Linking Verbs
Many learners rely too heavily on โis,โ โwas,โ or โareโ, missing out on other natural linking verbs like seem, feel, grow, appear, etc.
๐ซ Incorrect or unnatural:
- He is angry suddenly.
(Adverb use is incorrect and verb choice is weak.)
โ Better:
- He grew angry.
- He seemed angry.
๐ Fix: Expand your verb variety. Using diverse linking verbs makes your English sound more fluent and emotional.
โ Mistake 3: Confusing Predicate Adjectives with Object Complements
Sometimes learners mistake a predicate adjective for something that completes an object, especially after verbs like โmake,โ โfind,โ or โconsider.โ
๐ซ Incorrect:
- I found the book interesting. (Not a predicate adjectiveโthis is an object complement.)
โ Correct predicate adjective example:
- The book is interesting.
๐ Fix: Ask: โIs the adjective describing the subject directly after a linking verb?โ If not, it may not be a predicate adjective at all.
โ Mistake 4: Forgetting SubjectโVerb Agreement with Linking Verbs
When using “be” verbs, learners sometimes mismatch singular or plural subjects with their verb formโmaking the sentence grammatically incorrect before the adjective even appears.
๐ซ Incorrect:
- The students is happy.
โ Correct:
- The students are happy.
๐ Fix: Double-check subjectโverb agreement before you even think about the adjective.
โ Mistake 5: Placing Adjectives in the Wrong Spot
Some learners try to put the adjective before the linking verb, creating an unnatural structure.
๐ซ Incorrect:
- Tired is he.
- Delicious is the cake.
โ Correct:
- He is tired.
- The cake is delicious.
๐ Fix: Predicate adjectives always come after the verbโnot before.
โ Mistake 6: Translating Directly from Other Languages
In some languages, adjectives may come before or after differently, or linking verbs may not be used at all. When learners translate word-for-word, they often misplace the adjective or drop the verb.
๐ซ Incorrect (direct translation):
- He tired.
- My mom beautiful.
โ Correct:
- He is tired.
- My mom is beautiful.
๐ Fix: Always include a linking verb when using a predicate adjective in English.
โ Mistake 7: Repeating the Same Predicate Adjectives
While not grammatically wrong, overusing basic adjectives like โgood,โ โbad,โ or โhappyโ makes writing and speech dull.
๐ Instead of:
- That is good.
- She is good.
- The day is good.
โ Try:
- That is brilliant.
- She is kind-hearted.
- The day is peaceful.
๐ Fix: Build your descriptive vocabularyโuse richer, more expressive adjectives to convey nuance.
โ Final Tip:
When editing your sentences, read them aloud. If they answer โWhat is the subject like?โ clearly and naturally with a linking verb and adjectiveโyouโre using predicate adjectives correctly.
20 Predicate Adjective Example Sentences for Better Understanding
The best way to internalize grammar is through real-world, complete sentence examples. These sentences will help you see how predicate adjectives are used naturally in conversation, storytelling, and everyday situations.
Each example clearly shows:
- A subject
- A linking verb
- A predicate adjective describing the subject
๐ข Beginner-Friendly Sentences (1โ10)
- The flowers are beautiful.
- He feels sleepy after lunch.
- My sister is kind and patient.
- The sky looks gray today.
- You seem nervous about the test.
- This pizza tastes amazing.
- Her voice sounds calm and clear.
- We are ready to start.
- The children were excited.
- That cat is very quiet.
๐ต Slightly More Advanced Sentences (11โ20)
- She became frustrated with the delay.
- Your idea sounds brilliant.
- The room stayed warm all night.
- He grew angry during the meeting.
- This milk smells spoiled.
- My hands are cold.
- They looked surprised by the news.
- The teacher is incredibly strict.
- It got darker as we walked.
- You are always so thoughtful.
Predicate Adjective Fill-in-the-Blank Exercise: Test Your Knowledge
Ready to see how well youโve understood predicate adjectives? Below are 20 fill-in-the-blank questions designed to strengthen your grammar and vocabulary. Each sentence includes a linking verbโyou just need to choose the correct predicate adjective that fits the subject and context.
Try to complete them without looking back at previous examples. This is a great way to build real confidence and fluency.
โ๏ธ Fill in the Blank with the Most Suitable Predicate Adjective:
- The soup smells __________.
- She seems __________ about the interview.
- My shoes are __________ from the rain.
- That explanation was __________ and helpful.
- He became __________ after losing the game.
- The sky looks __________ tonight.
- I feel __________ after the long trip.
- Their teacher is always __________ and kind.
- It got __________ as the storm approached.
- You look __________ in that outfit.
- The milk tastes __________โdonโt drink it!
- They were __________ when they heard the surprise.
- This room stays __________ even in summer.
- Your handwriting is really __________.
- The mountain air feels __________ and clean.
- Her idea sounds __________ to me.
- The puppy is so __________ and playful.
- He grew __________ during the conversation.
- These cookies are still __________ and warm.
- The water is too __________ to swim in.
Check Your Answers for the Predicate Adjective Exercise
Here are the correct answers for each of the 20 fill-in-the-blank sentences from the previous section. These answers use natural, commonly used predicate adjectives. Keep in mind, in real-life English, some variations are possibleโso donโt worry if your answer was different but still made sense grammatically and contextually.
โ Correct Answers:
- The soup smells delicious.
- She seems nervous about the interview.
- My shoes are wet from the rain.
- That explanation was clear and helpful.
- He became upset after losing the game.
- The sky looks beautiful tonight.
- I feel exhausted after the long trip.
- Their teacher is always patient and kind.
- It got darker as the storm approached.
- You look fantastic in that outfit.
- The milk tastes sourโdonโt drink it!
- They were shocked when they heard the surprise.
- This room stays cool even in summer.
- Your handwriting is really neat.
- The mountain air feels fresh and clean.
- Her idea sounds brilliant to me.
- The puppy is so cute and playful.
- He grew angry during the conversation.
- These cookies are still soft and warm.
- The water is too cold to swim in.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Predicate Adjectives
Even after learning the rules and examples, itโs normal to have doubts. This section answers real questions learners often askโwhether in classrooms, online forums, or during conversation practice. Letโs make everything crystal clear!
โ1. What is the difference between predicate adjectives and attributive adjectives?
โ
Predicate adjectives come after a linking verb and describe the subject.
โ
Attributive adjectives come before the noun they describe.
๐ Examples:
- Predicate: The baby is happy.
- Attributive: The happy baby is sleeping.
โ2. Can you use more than one predicate adjective in a sentence?
Yes! You can use compound predicate adjectives joined by and, but, or or.
๐ Example:
- He felt tired and weak.
- The room is quiet but warm.
โ3. Are all adjectives after verbs considered predicate adjectives?
No. Only adjectives that follow linking verbs and describe the subject are predicate adjectives.
๐ Not a predicate adjective:
- They painted the wall blue.
Here, blue is an object complement, not a predicate adjective.
โ4. Can adverbs be used as predicate adjectives?
No. Predicate adjectives must be adjectives, not adverbs.
๐ Incorrect: She feels badly.
๐ Correct: She feels bad.
Adverbs describe actionsโnot the subject.
โ5. What linking verbs are commonly used with predicate adjectives?
The most frequent ones include:
- Be (is, am, are, was, were)
- Feel
- Look
- Seem
- Become
- Grow
- Taste
- Smell
- Sound
- Stay
- Get
These verbs connect the subject to the adjective.
โ6. Can predicate adjectives be used in questions?
Absolutely! Theyโre very common in questions that check for condition, mood, or opinion.
๐ Examples:
- Are you okay?
- Is she nervous?
- Does he seem angry?
โ7. Do predicate adjectives change based on number or gender?
No. Unlike some languages, English adjectives do not change based on gender or plural forms.
๐ Examples:
- He is tired.
- They are tired.
- She is tired.
The adjective remains the same in all cases.
โ8. Can I use intensifiers (like โveryโ or โtooโ) with predicate adjectives?
Yes! In fact, it makes your speech more expressive.
๐ Examples:
- She is very happy.
- It feels too cold to swim.
- He seems quite tired today.
โ9. How can I tell if a verb is a linking verb or an action verb?
Ask this: โIs the verb connecting the subject to a state or description?โ
If yes โ Itโs likely a linking verb.
If the subject is doing something โ Itโs likely an action verb.
๐ Examples:
- Linking: She looks tired. (description)
- Action: She looked at me. (action)
โ10. Can predicate adjectives appear in formal writing?
Definitely. Predicate adjectives are used in all types of writing, from emails to academic essays.
๐ Example:
- The report was thorough and well-organized.
They make writing clearer and more concise when describing the subject.
Key Takeaways: Predicate Adjective Summary and Important Points
- Predicate adjectives come after linking verbs and describe the subject of the sentence.
- Common linking verbs include: is, are, was, were, seem, feel, look, sound, become, get, grow, taste, smell, stay.
- The adjective never changes formโonly the linking verb is conjugated.
- Predicate adjectives answer the question: โWhat is the subject like?โ
- They express emotions, physical states, appearances, conditions, or opinions.
- Avoid using adverbs where adjectives are needed after linking verbs.
- Predicate adjectives are used in statements and questions (e.g., โAre you okay?โ).
- You can use more than one adjective (compound predicate adjectives) in the same sentence.
- Predicate adjectives are not the same as object complements or attributive adjectives.
- Use intensifiers (like very, quite, too) to make your sentences more expressive.
- Recognizing and using predicate adjectives improves fluency, tone, and clarity in both speaking and writing.
Conclusion: Mastering Predicate Adjectives in English | My Language Classes
Predicate adjectives may seem small, but they play a huge role in making your English sound smooth, natural, and expressive. From describing how you feel to commenting on someoneโs ideas or how food tastesโpredicate adjectives are everywhere.
By now, you know:
- What predicate adjectives are
- When and how to use them
- How to avoid common mistakes
- And how to practice them with confidence
Whether youโre writing an email, speaking to a friend, or preparing for an English test, predicate adjectives help you speak clearly and confidentlyโwithout sounding robotic or awkward.
And the best part? Youโve just added another powerful tool to your language-learning journey. So keep practicing, keep noticing these structures in conversations and media, and keep growing.
โ Whatโs Next?
๐ Want more grammar guides like this?
๐ฒ Visit mylanguageclasses.in for full lessons and blog posts in English, Spanish, and Japanese.
๐ธ Follow on Instagram for bite-sized grammar tips and reels: @mylanguageclassesofficial
โถ๏ธ Subscribe on YouTube for complete language lessons and spoken practice:
youtube.com/@mylanguageclassesofficial
Thanks for learning with My Language Classes. Stay curious, keep practicing, and rememberโyour words have power. Use them with confidence!
If you found this guide helpful, Iโd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments below or connect with me on social media. For more tips, resources, and inspiration, visit my blog at mylanguageclasses.in. Follow on Instagram and subscribe on YouTube
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