SUBJECT COMPLEMENT

SUBJECT COMPLEMENT

Phrase	Can’t stand alone Can function as N, V, adj., and adV  Incomplete E.g : Ali is hardworking.
Clause	Contains subject + predicate A form of simple sentence / part of the sentence Can stand alone E.g : Alia is a girl.
Sentence	Can stand on its own Contains   >  1 independent clause Doesn’t depend on another clause E.g : I am a doctor, and my wife is a lawyer.
Subject	Sentence = subject + predicate Come before the main verb (are,is,….) Determine the agreement (plural/singular) Always in a form of NP (can be substitute with the pronoun) E.g : Ali is a boy.
Complement	Something that completes (=) E.g : Ben is a policeman.         Ben = policeman
Determining factor	A subject complement is usually a noun or an adjective that follows a verb like to be (copula be) like ‘is, are, was, were’ and also linking verb like ‘to become, to appear, to smell, etc.

SUB. COMPLEMENT
FORMS OF SUB.COMPLEMENT	EXAMPLES
NP/ Pronoun	Ali is a boy. Edward is a gifted athlete. The strongest swimmer was he. Time is the great healer.
AP	I am fine. I feel good. George grew weary. All the passengers were Russians.
PP	The train was on time. The party was after midnight. Lucy was in the parlor. Douglas donate the books to the cause.
Careful of pseudo-linking	E.g : He smells the pizza. Lisa taste the spaghetti. *pseudo-linking shows the action (verb) *VP is not subject complement

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The linking verb links its subject to a word in the predicate. The word in the predicate, so linked, is called a

subject complement. The subject may be linked to a noun (sometimes called a predicate noun); to a pronoun

(sometimes called a predicate pronoun); or to an adjective (sometimes called a predicate adjective).

The dog is a mongrel. (predicate noun)

I am he. (predicate pronoun)

The roads are treacherous tonight. (predicate adjective)

Identifying Subject Complements. Underline the subject complement in each of the following sentences.

Look for the linking verb to help you find the subject complement.

Example: Cheddar cheese is orange.

John feels sick today.

1. The mongoose, introduced to Puerto Rico to kill poisonous snakes, has become the island’s most

     annoying predator.

2. Why are many of our folk heroes outlaws?

3. The chlorine in the pool smelled harsh.

4. This bread tastes moldy to me.

5. The hungry beggar felt too faint to hold out his cup.

6. The caged tiger gets especially restless during storms.

7. After my yoga exercises, I feel almost weightless.

8. Mahatma Gandhi always remained peaceful, despite his opponents’ most outrageous provocation.

9. One of a mail carrier’s occupational hazards is the overzealous watchdog.

10. Our captain’s last words to us sounded prophetic.

11. The sunflowers by the gate grow taller every day.

12. The class gift will be a new set of curtains for the auditorium stage.

13. The achievements and courage of Dr. Martin Luther King have become part of our American

       heritage.

14. A horse’s staggering gait can be a sign of swamp fever.

15. Her story rings true.

16. According to Dr. W. H. Sheldon’s classification of humans into physical types, the thin, slender-

      boned ectomorph is introspective.

17. Are you nervous about making the speech?

18. The dirigible is lighter than air.

19. Is his pulse normal?

20. The moon looked close enough to touch.

The answers :

1. The mongoose, introduced to Puerto Rico to kill poisonous snakes, has become the island’s most
     annoying predator.
2. Why are many of our folk heroes outlaws?
3. The chlorine in the pool smelled harsh.
4. This bread tastes moldy to me.
5. The hungry beggar felt too faint to hold out his cup.
6. The caged tiger gets especially restless during storms.
7. After my yoga exercises, I feel almost weightless.
8. Mahatma Gandhi always remained peaceful, despite his opponents’ most outrageous provocation.
9. One of a mail carrier’s occupational hazards is the overzealous watchdog.
10. Our captain’s last words to us sounded prophetic.
11. The sunflowers by the gate grow taller every day.
12. The class gift will be a new set of curtains for the auditorium stage.
13. The achievements and courage of Dr. Martin Luther King have become part of our American
       heritage.
14. A horse’s staggering gait can be a sign of swamp fever.
15. Her story rings true.
16. According to Dr. W. H. Sheldon’s classification of humans into physical types, the thin, slender-
     boned ectomorph is introspective.
17. Are you nervous about making the speech?
18. The dirigible is lighter than air.
19. Is his pulse normal?
20. The moon looked close enough to touch.