How to Use Predicate Nouns: 5 Examples of Predicate Nouns

A predicate noun, also known as a predicate nominative, is a noun or a noun phrase that follows a linking verb to provide additional information about the subject of a sentence. These parts of speech provide integral information to the meaning of a sentence by functioning as subject complements, which identify or describe the state of being of the subject of a sentence.

Predicate adjectives, which describe a subject and follow a linking verb, also function as subject complements but are descriptors rather than nouns. Predicate nouns only follow linking verbs (or intransitive verbs) which do not act on direct objects. Action verbs performed by the subject on a direct object noun are never used with predicate nouns.

There are two main rules that you can follow to identify a predicate noun or group of words that make up a predicate noun phrase.

1. 1. It follows a linking verb. A predicate noun always follows a linking verb such as "am," "are," or "is." If the noun follows an action verb, such as "walks" or "eats," then the noun is not a predicate noun.
2. 2. It provides further information on the subject. A predicate noun will rename, modify, or provide further information about the subject of the sentence, which is typically the noun that precedes the linking verb.
3. 3. It describes or names a state of being. Predicate nouns often describe the state of being of a subject noun. This can be a position (“manager”), identity (“my sister”), or the noun form of an action, or a gerund (“running”).

Here are some examples of predicate nouns used as part of a sentence.

1. 1. "The waiter is a consummate professional." In this sentence, the subject is “the waiter,” the linking verb is “is” and “a consummate professional” is the predicate noun that describes what the subject is.
2. 2. "These temples are the city's most popular tourist attractions." The subject of this sentence is “these temples,” the linking verb is “are,” and “the city’s most popular tourist attractions” is the predicate noun.
3. 3. "The new recruit must be a coding expert." The predicate noun in this sentence is “a coding expert” which describes what the subject (“the new recruit”) must “be” (the linking verb.
4. 4. "This car was the cheapest deal." This sentence’s predicate noun is “the cheapest deal,” which describes what the subject of the sentence (“the car”) was (which is the linking verb).
5. 5. "Annabelle used to be my best friend." The predicate noun in this sentence is “my best friend,” which describes what the subject (“Annabelle”) used to be (the linking verb).

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