English Grammar: Complements of Verbs

Complements — Complements of Linking Verbs

A linking verb cannot make a complete predicate. It always requires a complement. The group of words, My friend is, does not make a complete statement. The verb is requires some additional word to complete the meaning of the sentence. That word may be a noun, a pronoun, or an adjective.

My friend is an executive. (noun)

My friend is very ambitious. (adjective)

That is he. (pronoun)

The noun that completes the meaning of a linking verb is called a predicate noun because it is found in the predicate. A predicate noun completes the verb and renames or explains the subject. In the preceding illustration, executive is a predicate noun. It renames the subject friend and classifies friend as an executive. The noun friend and the noun executive refer to the same person.

A pronoun that follows a linking verb functions in the same way as the noun. It completes the verb and means the same person or thing as the subject. It is called a predicate pronoun.

An adjective that follows a linking verb is called a predicate adjective because it is found in the predicate. A predicate adjective always modifies the subject.

The following sentences illustrate the use of the predicate noun, predicate pronoun, and predicate adjective.

Our manager was a former army colonel. (predicate noun) (manager and colonel — same person)

Our manager is very efficient (predicate adjective). (efficient modifies manager)

The candidate for the position is he (predicate pronoun). (he and candidate — same person)

In the first sentence, colonel is a predicate noun. It completes the meaning of the verb was and refers to the same person as the subject. In the second sentence efficient is a predicate adjective. It modifies the subject noun manager. In the third sentence, he is a predicate pronoun. It means the same person as the subject candidate.