When a sentence tells us more about the subject, not through an action, but through a definition or identity, it often uses a predicate nominative. This structure helps connect the subject to a noun or pronoun that renames or identifies it, giving the sentence more meaning and clarity.
In this article, you’ll learn what a predicate nominative is, how it differs from other complements, and how to use it effectively in your writing.
What Is a Predicate Nominative?
A predicate nominative (also called a predicate noun) is a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject of the sentence. It acts as a subject complement, providing more detail or clarification about who or what the subject is.
It doesn’t show action—it simply restates or defines the subject in a different form.
Predicate Nominative Examples:
- My uncle is a pilot.
→ “A pilot” renames “my uncle” → predicate nominative - The winners were Josh and Priya.
→ “Josh and Priya” identify “the winners” - That was she on the phone.
→ “She” is a pronoun that renames “That”
Predicate nominatives always come after a linking verb—verbs like is, are, was, were, seem, become—not action verbs.
Common linking verbs include:
- Forms of “be”: is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been
- Other linking verbs: become, seem, appear, remain, stay
Predicate Nominative vs. Predicate Adjective
It’s easy to confuse a predicate nominative with a predicate adjective since both follow linking verbs and serve as subject complements. The difference lies in what they tell us about the subject. A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that renames or identifies the subject. In contrast, a predicate adjective is an adjective that describes the subject’s qualities or condition.
For example, in the sentence “The director was Mr. Singh,” the word “Mr. Singh” renames the subject and functions as a predicate nominative. But, in “The director was confident,” the word “confident” describes the director and acts as a predicate adjective. One restates who the subject is; the other tells us what the subject is like.
Examples for Comparison:
- Predicate Nominative:
Their child is a musician.
→ A musician is a noun that identifies the child - Predicate Adjective:
Their child is talented.
→ Talented is an adjective describing the child
How to Identify a Predicate Nominative
To identify a predicate nominative, look for a linking verb that connects the subject to more information without showing action. Common linking verbs include is, are, was, were, become, seem, and similar verbs that describe a state or condition.
Once you’ve found the linking verb, ask yourself: Does the word or phrase after the verb rename or identify the subject? If it does, and it’s a noun or pronoun, you’ve found a predicate nominative.
Examples:
- The instructor was Ms. Lopez.
→ “Ms. Lopez” is a noun that renames “the instructor” → predicate nominative - His favorite subject is science.
→ “Science” identifies what his favorite subject is → predicate nominative - It was he who answered the door.
→ “He” renames “It” (used in formal grammar) → predicate nominative
Keep in mind: if the word after the linking verb describes the subject instead of renaming it, it’s not a predicate nominative—it’s a predicate adjective.
Compound Predicate Nominatives
A compound predicate nominative includes two or more nouns or pronouns that rename or identify the subject. These are usually joined by conjunctions like and, or, or nor, and they follow a linking verb just like a singular predicate nominative would.
Examples:
- The winners were Alex and Jordan.
→ “Alex and Jordan” are two nouns renaming “The winners” - The speakers were they and I.
→ “They and I” are two pronouns identifying the subject “The speakers”
In each case, the compound predicate nominative completes the meaning of the subject by naming multiple identities or roles.
Predicate Nominatives in Questions and Inverted Sentences
In typical sentence structure, the subject comes first, followed by the linking verb and then the predicate nominative. But in questions or inverted sentences, that order can shift, which may make it harder to spot the predicate nominative.
The key is to locate the linking verb and ask who or what is being renamed or identified.
Examples:
- Question: Is that your brother?
→ “That” is the subject, “your brother” is the predicate nominative. - Inverted sentence: Among the finalists was Maya, the lead designer.
→ “Maya” renames “the finalist” (implied subject) → predicate nominative. - Question: Was the guest speaker Dr. Kim?
→ “Dr. Kim” renames “the guest speaker”
To make it easier, mentally rearrange the sentence into a statement.
For example: Was the winner Sam? → The winner was Sam. → Sam = predicate nominative.
FAQs About Predicate Nominative
What is a predicate nominative in a sentence?
A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject of the sentence.
How do I identify a predicate nominative?
Look for a linking verb like is, are, was, or seem. If the word after it renames the subject and is a noun or pronoun, it’s a predicate nominative.
Example: The teacher is Mr. Lopez.
Can a sentence have more than one predicate nominative?
Yes. This is called a compound predicate nominative—two or more nouns or pronouns that rename the subject.
Example: The leaders were James, Priya, and Ali.
What’s the difference between a predicate nominative and a predicate adjective?
A predicate nominative renames the subject using a noun or pronoun. A predicate adjective describes the subject using an adjective.
Example:
She is a doctor. → predicate nominative
She is kind. → predicate adjective
Is “predicate noun” the same as “predicate nominative”?
Yes. Both terms refer to the same concept. “Predicate nominative” is the formal grammar term, while “predicate noun” is a simpler alternative.