Subject complements - Sentence Parts Lesson in English Language

A subject complement is a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and helps to describe or identify the subject of the sentence. There are two types of subject complements: predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives.

Predicate nominatives: 

Examples:

• The winner of the race was he. (The pronoun "he" is the predicate nominative, renaming the subject "the winner.")
• The capital of France is Paris. (The noun "Paris" is the predicate nominative, renaming the subject "the capital of France.")

Predicate adjectives: 

Examples:

• The soup tastes delicious. (The adjective "delicious" is the predicate adjective, describing the subject "the soup.")
• She seemed tired after the long flight. (The adjective "tired" is the predicate adjective, describing the subject "she.")

Practical uses: 

Subject complements can be used to provide more information about the subject of a sentence. For example, in a resume, you might use a subject complement to describe your professional experience: 

• "I am a skilled marketing manager."

 In this case, "a skilled marketing manager" is the subject complement, describing the subject "I."

Special cases and challenges: 

There are a few special cases and challenges to consider when using subject complements.

• "All of the cookies are gone" (plural subject complement agrees with plural verb) vs. "None of the cookie is left" (singular subject complement agrees with singular verb).

Another challenge to consider is ensuring that the subject complement is correctly modifying the subject. For example: 

• "The cat, who was sleeping on the couch, looked comfortable." In this sentence, "who was sleeping on the couch" is modifying the subject "cat," not the subject complement "looked comfortable."

Other relevant information:

 It's important to note that not all verbs can be used as linking verbs. Some common linking verbs include "be," "seem," "become," "appear," "feel," and "taste," but there are many others.

Comprehension exercises Subject complements:

1. Identify the subject complements in the following sentences:

• The pie smells delicious.
• She became a doctor.
• The weather seems nice today.
• I am tired.

2. Choose the correct verb to complete the following sentence: The dog _______ dirty after playing in the mud. a. looks b. seem c. appears

3. Rewrite the following sentence to correctly use a subject complement: The actor in the movie was funny.
   

4. Identify the special case in the following sentence: None of the pies are left. a. Indefinite pronoun subject complement b. Plural subject complement with singular verb

5. Complete the following sentence with the correct verb form: Some of the cookies _______ missing. a. are b. is

Answers:

1. delicious, a doctor, nice, tired
2.  looks
   
3. The actor in the movie was a comedian.
4. Indefinite pronoun subject complement
5. are