What Is a Predicate Nominative? (with Examples)

Grammar can feel like a maze, but understanding the building blocks of language can make your writing and speaking clearer, more precise, and effective. One of these building blocks is the predicate nominative, a critical part of English grammar that’s often misunderstood or overlooked.

A predicate nominative isn’t just a fancy term—it plays a key role in identifying or renaming the subject of a sentence.

Whether you’re a student, a writer, or just someone looking to improve your English skills, this guide has got you covered!

Defining the Predicate Nominative

Let’s start with the basics: What exactly is a predicate nominative?

A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that comes after a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject of a sentence. It essentially provides more information about the subject, equating it to something else.

Key Characteristics of Predicate Nominatives:

• Always follows a linking verb (like is, was, are, seem).
• Renames or identifies the subject.
• Must be a noun or pronoun, not an adjective.

Simple Formula:

Subject + Linking Verb + Predicate Nominative

Examples:

Quick Tip:

If you can replace the verb with an equals sign (=), the word following it is probably a predicate nominative. For example:

• The dog is a puppy. → The dog = a puppy.

The Role of Linking Verbs in Predicate Nominatives

Linking verbs are the glue that connects the subject to the predicate nominative. Unlike action verbs, which show what the subject does, linking verbs describe a state of being.

Common Linking Verbs:

Examples of Linking Verbs with Predicate Nominatives:

• The president is a leader.
• The soup smells a masterpiece.
• She became a doctor.

Key Takeaway: Without linking verbs, predicate nominatives wouldn’t exist—they depend on these connectors to function.

How to Identify Predicate Nominatives

Spotting a predicate nominative requires some analysis, but it’s easy once you know the process. Here’s how to identify them in any sentence:

Steps to Identify a Predicate Nominative:

1. Find the subject.
   Example: The cat is a kitten. → Subject: The cat.
2. Locate the linking verb.
   Example: is (a linking verb).
3. Look for a noun or pronoun after the verb.
   Example: kitten → Predicate nominative (renames cat).

Examples:

• The winner of the competition is Lisa.
  (Lisa renames the subject, winner.)
• The result will be success.
  (Success identifies the subject, result.)

Practice Sentences:

Try identifying the predicate nominatives in these sentences:

1. The chef was a genius.
2. Her ambition is to become a scientist.
3. The problem seems a misunderstanding.

Predicate Nominatives vs. Predicate Adjectives

It’s easy to confuse predicate nominatives with predicate adjectives because both follow linking verbs. The difference lies in their function:

Comparison Table:

Key Rule:

If the word renames or identifies the subject, it’s a predicate nominative. If it describes the subject, it’s a predicate adjective.

Compound Predicate Nominatives

Sometimes, a sentence can have more than one predicate nominative. These are called compound predicate nominatives.

Examples of Compound Predicate Nominatives:

• The winners are Jake and Amy.
• Her hobbies are reading and writing.
• Their goals were success and happiness.

Practice Tip:

Look for sentences where the subject is linked to two or more nouns by a linking verb.

Common Mistakes When Using Predicate Nominatives

Mistake #1: Confusing Predicate Nominatives with Objects

Predicate nominatives follow linking verbs, while objects follow action verbs.

• Incorrect: She called him a hero.
  (Here, hero is an object of the verb called.)
• Correct: He became a hero.
  (Hero is a predicate nominative after the linking verb became.)

Mistake #2: Using the Wrong Pronoun Case

Predicate nominatives require the subjective case of pronouns (e.g., I, he, she, we, they).

• Incorrect: The winner is me.
• Correct: The winner is I.

Real-Life Applications of Predicate Nominatives

Predicate nominatives aren’t just for grammar class—they’re everywhere in daily communication, literature, and professional writing.

Examples from Literature:

Everyday Examples:

• My friend is an engineer.
• The solution seems a mystery.

Why Predicate Nominatives Matter

Understanding predicate nominatives improves your grammar skills and helps you write and speak more effectively.

Key Benefits:

• Clarity: Ensures sentences convey clear and precise meanings.
• Professionalism: Shows attention to detail in writing.
• Effective Communication: Helps avoid misunderstandings.

FAQs About Predicate Nominatives

Q1: Can a sentence have both a predicate nominative and a direct object?

A: No. Predicate nominatives only occur with linking verbs, while direct objects occur with action verbs.

Q2: Can predicate nominatives be plural?

A: Yes, for example: The leaders are Alex and Jamie.

Q3: What’s the best way to practice identifying predicate nominatives?

A: Practice by analyzing sentences with linking verbs and looking for nouns that rename the subject.