Lesson 2

Predicate Adjectives

Predicate Adjectives

A predicate adjective: follows a linking verb and describes the verb’s subject.

The linking verb connects the predicate adjective with the subject.

DESCRIBES THE ERUPTION

A volcanic eruption is violent.

SUBJECT LINKING VERB

Predicate Adjectives

The linking verb connects the predicate adjective with the subject.

DESCRIBES IT

It is explosive. SUBJECT

LINKING VERB

Predicate Adjectives

Predicate adjectives can follow linking verbs other than forms of be.

Forms of taste, smell, feel, look, become, and seem are often used as linking verbs.

DESCRIBES HOW THE LAVA LOOKS

The lava looks thick.

LINKING VERB PREDICATE ADJECTIVE

Predicate Adjectives

Predicate adjectives can follow linking verbs other than forms of be.

Forms of taste, smell, feel, look, become, and seem are often used as linking verbs.

DESCRIBES WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT COOLS

Lava becomes hard when it cools

SUBJECT LINKING VERB PREDICATE ADJECTIVE

Why It Matters in Writing

Writers often use predicate adjectives to tell more about a person’s character, as in this author’s description of her parents.

Literary Model

Both my parents had grown up poor, and they also knew what it was to be lonely. They cared deeply about other people and were always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone. Mama couldn’t bear to think of her children ever being less than kind and caring. “Don’t ever be indifferent,” she would say to Keiko and me. “That is the worst fault of all.”

—Yoshiko Uchida, “Oh Broom, Get to Work”