Predicate Adjectives Explained (With Practice & Worksheets)
Predicate adjectives sound fancy, but students usually understand them quickly once they see how they work. These adjectives don’t sit next to the noun like most adjectives do. Instead, they appear after a linking verb and describe the subject from the other side of the sentence.
Once students learn to spot linking verbs, predicate adjectives become one of those “Ohhh, that makes sense” grammar concepts — which is always a win.
What Are Predicate Adjectives?
A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb.
It describes the subject, not the verb or an object.
Predicate adjectives come after common linking verbs such as:
is, are, was, were
seems, becomes, feels, sounds, tastes, looks
Predicate adjectives are part of the predicate, but they refer back to the subject.
If the word after the verb describes the subject, it is likely a predicate adjective.
Example:
The dog is friendly.
(Friendly describes the dog.)
Practice Together
Read each sentence together. Identify the linking verb and then the predicate adjective.
The weather feels cold.
Her voice sounds calm.
The test was difficult.
The room became silent.
The cookies taste delicious.
Practice Together — Answer Key
cold
calm
difficult
silent
delicious
Common Mistakes to Watch For
Confusing predicate adjectives with adverbs
She feels bad. (correct — adjective describing the subject)
She feels badly. (incorrect unless referring to her sense of touch)
Assuming all adjectives must come before nouns
Forgetting that action verbs cannot have predicate adjectives
Practice Alone (Independent Work)
Students complete a worksheet where they:
Read sentences containing linking verbs
Identify the predicate adjective
Rewrite the sentence underneath
Conclusion
Predicate adjectives help students see how sentences describe ideas rather than just perform actions. Once they understand that these adjectives connect back to the subject through linking verbs, students become much more confident readers and writers.
