Predicate Nominatives

Definition A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and renames the subject. The verb in a sentence having a predicate nominative can always be replaced by the word equals. Example: Mr. Jones is a teacher. (teacher is the predicate nominative) Mr. Jones equals teacher. Curt’s favorite toy is his truck. Toy equals truck.

Linking Verbs Predicate nominatives only follow linking verbs. Linking verbs do not express action. Instead, they connect the subject of the verb to additional information about the subject. The most common linking verbs are: am, is, are, was, were Examples: Kayla is a shopaholic. During the afternoon, my cats are content to nap on the couch. The pronoun test was a tough one.

Predicate Nominatives and Pronouns When a pronoun is a predicate nominative, it must be in the subject form. Most of us do not speak this way, but it is grammatically correct. Examples: Incorrect: The winner was her. (Objective case) Correct: The winner was she. (Nominative case) She is a predicate nominative. It uses the same case as the subject since it simply renames the subject.

Remember This rule only applies to predicate nominatives. If the verb is an action, this rule does not apply. The pronoun must follow a linking verb and rename the subject. You should be able to replace the verb with “equals”.

Try It! The winner is (she, her). She is the correct choice. Is = linking verb Winner = she

Try It! 2. The singers will be Evelyn and (I, me). I is the correct choice. Be is a linking verb. Singer = I

Try It! 3. James invited (we, us) to her party.   Us is the correct answer. Invited is an action verb James does not equal us.

Try It! 4. The stars of the movie were (he, him) and (she, her). He and she are the correct answers. Were is a linking verb The stars = he and she  

Try It! 5. The first two speakers will be (he, him) and (I, me). He and I are the correct choices. Be is a linking verb. Speakers = he and I  

Try It! 6. Our neighbors are (them, they). They is the correct choice. Are is a linking verb. Neighbors = they

Try It! 7. John took (we, us) to the zoo. Us is the correct choice. Took is an action verb. John does not equal us.

Try It! 8. The woman that I saw in the store was (she, her). She is the correct choice. Was is a linking verb. Woman = she

Try It! 9. I went with (he, him) to King’s Island. Him is the correct choice. Went is an action verb. I does not equal he.  

Try It! 10. Could that be (she, her) at the bus stop? She is the correct answer. Be is a linking verb That equals she