What is a predicate nominative?

A predicate nominative or predicate noun completes a linking verb and renames the subject. It is a complement or completer because it completes the verb (predicate).

Predicate nominatives complete only linking verbs. The linking verbs include the following: the helping verbs is, am, are, was, were, be, being, and been; the sense verbs look, taste, smell, feel, and sound; and verbs like become, seem, appear, grow, continue, stay, and turn. The verb in a sentence having a predicate nominative can always be replaced by the word equals.

Examples:
Mr. Johanson is a teacher. Mr. Johanson equals a teacher.
Mr. Johanson is a father. Mr. Johanson equals a father.
Mr. Johanson is my neighbor. Mr. Johanson equals my neighbor.

Predicate nominatives can be compound. Example: Mr. Johanson is a teacher, father, and my neighbor.

Instructions: Find the verb, subject, and predicate nominatives in these sentences.

1. My favorite pets were a squirrel and a rabbit.

2. Our chief crops are corn, wheat, and hay.

3. Mr. Jones is an accountant and a big game hunter.

4. The owners of the race car include Bill, Pete, and Sam.

5. My favorite holidays are Christmas and Easter.

Want to learn more? Links to our predicate nominative lessons: 101, 102, 103, 104, & 105