Predicate Adjectives Explained (With Practice & Worksheets)

ByDylan Callens

Predicate Adjectives Lesson: Teach predicate adjectives as words that describe a subject after a linking verb. Students identify the subject complement, contrast it with attributive adjectives, and practise rewriting examples.

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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.

  1. The weather feels cold.

  2. Her voice sounds calm.

  3. The test was difficult.

  4. The room became silent.

  5. The cookies taste delicious.

Practice Together — Answer Key

  1. cold

  2. calm

  3. difficult

  4. silent

  5. 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

Student Worksheet

Answer Key

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.

Back to the Grammar Lessons

Apply and Extend This Grammar Skill

Exit ticket: Write one sentence with feels plus a predicate adjective and another with is plus a predicate noun.

Next lessons: linking verbs · predicate nouns. Explore the complete Grammar Lessons hub.

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