Not every sentence needs an action to make sense. Sometimes, a sentence is complete simply by telling us what something is or seems to be. That’s where a subject complement comes in.
A subject complement follows a linking verb and gives more detail about the subject—it either describes it or renames it. In this guide, you’ll learn what subject complements are, the two types you’ll see most often, and how to recognize them in real sentences.
What Is a Subject Complement?
A subject complement is a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and gives more information about the subject. It either renames the subject (using a noun or pronoun) or describes it (using an adjective).
Unlike a direct object, a subject complement doesn’t receive an action. Instead, it completes the idea of the subject by identifying or qualifying it.
For example: The winner is Sarah. → “Sarah” renames the subject
Subject complements are essential when a verb like be, become, or seem is used, because those verbs don’t show action but connect the subject to something about it.
Subject Complement Examples
- The speaker was Dr. Anand Patel.
→ “Dr. Anand Patel” renames the subject “The speaker” - The result seems unfair.
→ “Unfair” describes the subject “The result” - Their goal is a community garden.
→ “A community garden” gives more detail about “their goal” - This fabric feels rough.
→ “Rough” describes “this fabric”
Types of Subject Complements
Subject complements come in two main forms, and both serve to complete the subject by either renaming or describing it. The type depends on the form and function of the word or phrase following the linking verb.
Predicate Nominative (also called Predicate Noun or Pronoun)
A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that renames or identifies the subject.
Examples:
- The new manager is Mr. Chen.
(“Mr. Chen” renames “The new manager”) - The author of the article was she.
(“She” renames “The author”)
Predicate Adjective
A predicate adjective is an adjective that describes or qualifies the subject.
Examples:
- The instructions seem confusing.
(“Confusing” describes “The instructions”) - Her tone was calm and direct.
(“Calm and direct” describes “Her tone”)
Both types follow a linking verb and reflect on the subject to give a fuller picture or definition.
How to Identify a Subject Complement
To find a subject complement in a sentence, follow these steps:
Look for a linking verb
Common linking verbs include is, are, was, were, seem, become, appear, feel, look, and taste. These verbs do not show action but connect the subject to more information.
Ask what follows the verb
Does it rename or describe the subject? If yes, it’s likely a subject complement.
Examples:
- Sentence: The finalists are Ava and Raj.
→ Linking verb = are
→ What follows = Ava and Raj (renames finalists) → predicate nominative - Sentence: That fabric feels soft.
→ Linking verb = feels
→ What follows = soft (describes fabric) → predicate adjective
If the verb is a linking verb and the word or phrase after it gives more detail about the subject (not receiving an action), it’s functioning as a subject complement.
Subject Complements vs. Objects
It’s easy to confuse subject complements with objects, but they play very different roles in a sentence.
- A subject complement follows a linking verb and either renames or describes the subject.
- An object follows an action verb and receives the action of that verb.
Compare:
- Subject complement:
The winner was Jordan.
→ “Was” is a linking verb. “Jordan” renames the subject. → Subject complement - Object:
They congratulated Jordan.
→ “Congratulated” is an action verb. “Jordan” receives the action. → Direct object
Key Differences:
| Feature | Subject Complement | Object |
|---|---|---|
| Follows which type of verb? | Linking verb | Action verb |
| What does it do? | Renames or describes the subject | Receives the action |
| Example verb | is, seem, feel, become | give, write, see, build |
Common Linking Verbs
Subject complements always follow linking verbs, which act as connectors, not action words. These verbs link the subject to additional information without showing a physical action.
Frequently used linking verbs:
- Be verbs: is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been
- Seem-type verbs: seem, appear, become
- Sensation or state verbs: feel, look, sound, smell, taste
Examples:
- The garden is quiet.
(“Is” links “garden” to “quiet” → predicate adjective) - Your idea sounds interesting.
(“Sounds” links “idea” to “interesting” → predicate adjective) - That man became a firefighter.
(“Became” links “man” to “a firefighter” → predicate nominative)
While some of these verbs can also act as action verbs (e.g., taste or feel), in the context of subject complements, they’re only linking when no action is being performed.
Subject Complements in Questions and Inverted Sentences
Subject complements usually follow the subject and linking verb, but in questions or inverted sentences, that order may shift. This can make them a bit harder to spot, especially for learners.
Examples in Questions:
- Is your friend the new manager?
→ Subject = your friend
→ Linking verb = is
→ Subject complement = the new manager - Was the presentation clear?
→ Subject = the presentation
→ Linking verb = was
→ Subject complement = clear
Even though the complement appears after the verb and sometimes before the subject, it still completes or describes the subject.
Tip:
In questions, reorder the sentence mentally into a statement to help identify the subject complement.
- Is this helpful? → This is helpful. → “Helpful” = subject complement
Subject Complement Clauses
While subject complements are often single words or short phrases, they can also appear as clauses, specifically, noun clauses that give complete information about the subject.
A noun clause as a subject complement usually begins with words like that, what, or how and completes the idea of the subject through a full statement.
Examples:
- The truth is that he never replied.
→ “That he never replied” is a noun clause serving as the subject complement. - The issue is whether they will approve the request.
→ Subject complement = whether they will approve the request
Subject complement clauses are more common in formal or academic writing, but recognizing them helps with clarity in both understanding and sentence construction.
FAQs About Subject Complement
What is a subject complement in a sentence?
A subject complement is a word, phrase, or clause that follows a linking verb and either renames or describes the subject.
How do I identify the subject complement in a sentence?
Look for a linking verb first. Then ask what follows the verb—if it gives more information about the subject (not receiving action), it’s likely a subject complement.
Can a sentence have more than one subject complement?
Yes, especially when joined by and or in a compound description.
Example: The room was quiet and clean. → quiet and clean = two predicate adjectives
What’s the difference between a subject complement and an object?
Subject complements follow linking verbs and give more information about the subject. Objects follow action verbs and receive the action.
Can a subject complement be a clause?
Yes. A subject complement can be a noun clause that provides a full idea about the subject.
Example: The issue is that we don’t have enough data.