One app for all your study abroad needs
Have you ever noticed how some sentences feel complete and make perfect sense? That is because of a subject complement! It follows a linking verb and adds meaning by renaming or describing the subject. Think of it as the part of a sentence that gives extra clarity. For example, in She became a teacher, the words a teacher tells us more about her. Without subject complements, sentences would sound incomplete! Let us explore what is subject complement in grammar through definition, examples, etc.
This Blog Includes:
- What is Subject Complement in Grammar?
- Types of Subject Complement with Examples
- How To Identify Subject Complement?
- What is Copula/Copula Verb?
- Subject Complement vs.Object Complement
- Subject Complement vs. Adverb
- Subject Complement vs. Direct Object
- Learning Exercise for Subject Complement in Grammar
- FAQs
What is Subject Complement in Grammar?
A subject complement in grammar is a word or phrase that gives more information about the subject of a sentence. It follows a linking verb such as is, are, was, were, seems, feels, or becomes and helps define, describe, or rename the subject. Subject complements do not show action but instead provide clarity about the subject.
Example of Subject Complement:
She is a doctor.
Explanation:
In this sentence, “doctor” is the subject complement because it follows the linking verb “is” and describes the subject “She.” A subject complement either renames (predicate nominative) or describes (predicate adjective) the subject. Here, “doctor” renames “She,” making it a predicate nominative.
Must Read: Adjective Sheet for Class 3 with Answers (Free PDF)
Types of Subject Complement with Examples
In this section, we will explore different types of subject complement in grammar, their definition, along with examples:
| Type | Definition | Examples |
| Predicate Nominatives | A noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject. | My brother is a doctor. |
| Predicate Pronouns | A pronoun that acts as a subject complement after a linking verb. | The author of the book is he. |
| Noun as Subject Complements | A single noun that renames the subject. | That man is a pilot. |
| Noun Phrase as Subject Complements | A group of words containing a noun that renames the subject. | His dream is to become a scientist. |
| Predicate Adjectives | An adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject. | The weather seems cold. |
| Adjective as Subject Complements | A single adjective acting as a subject complement. | The soup is hot. |
| Adjective Phrases & Compound Adjectives as Subject Complements | A phrase or compound adjective describing the subject. | Her idea was very creative. |
| Predicate Adverbs | An adverb that follows a linking verb and modifies the subject. | The meeting is tomorrow. |
| A subject complement cannot exist without a linking verb, and a linking verb always connects to a subject complement for complete meaning. |
Also Read: Clause, Phrase and Sentence: What’s the Difference?
How To Identify Subject Complement?
Identifying subject complement in grammar can seem tricky at first, but by following a few simple steps, one can become a pro in no time!
Steps 1. Find the Subject
The first step is to locate the subject of the sentence. Remember, the subject is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about.
Example: The cake is delicious.
Explanation: In the sentence The cake is delicious, the subject is The cake because it is the main focus of the sentence. It tells us what the sentence is about and connects to the rest of the statement through the linking verb is.
Step 2. Locate the Linking Verb
Next, identify the linking verb. Linking verbs connect the subject to the subject complement. Common linking verbs include forms of “be” (is, are, was, were, am, been), become, seem, appear, feel, look, taste, smell, and sound.
Example: The cake is delicious.
Explanation: In the sentence The cake is delicious, the linking verb is is because it connects the subject (The cake) to the subject complement (delicious), describing its state or quality.
Step 3: Identify the Word or Phrase After the Linking Verb
Look at the word or phrase that comes immediately after the linking verb. This is your potential subject complement.
Example: The cake is delicious.
Explanation: In the sentence The cake is delicious, the word after the linking verb is is delicious. It serves as the subject complement in grammar, describing the quality of the cake.
Step 4: Check if it Renames or Describes the Subject:
- This is an important step. Ask yourself: Does the word or phrase after the linking verb rename or describe the subject?
- If it does, it is a subject complement.
- If it renames the subject, it is a Predicate Nominative.
- If it describes the subject, it is a Predicate Adjective.
Example: The cake is delicious.
Explanation: Delicious describes the cake, so it is a predicate adjective.
Step 5: The To Be Test (Helpful Tip)
If you can replace the linking verb with a form of the verb to be and the sentence still makes logical sense, you are most likely dealing with a subject complement.
Example: The cake is delicious.
Explanation: In The cake is delicious, applying the To Be Test confirms that delicious is the subject complement. The linking verb is connects cake to delicious, which describes the cake, making it a predicate adjective.
What is Copula/Copula Verb?
A copula verb, also known as a linking verb, is a verb that connects the subject of a sentence to a subject complement (a word or phrase that describes or identifies the subject). Unlike action verbs, copula verbs do not show any physical or mental activity but express a state of being or condition.
Common Coupla Verbs:
Some of the Common Coupla Verbs are given below:
| Be Vebs | is, am, are, was, were, be, been |
| Sense Verbs | seem, look, feel, sound, taste, smell |
| Becoming Verbs | become, grow, turn, remain, stay |
| Other Copulas | get, keep, go, act, stand, fall (in specific contexts) |
Example:
She remained calm during the storm.
Explanation: The verb remained is a copula verb that links she (subject) to calm (adjective, describing her state). Remained functions like was here, showing her state of being during the storm.
Also Read: Types of Verbs: Definition, Examples, Verb Conjugation
Subject Complement vs.Object Complement
Subject complement and object complement play essential roles in sentence structure. While both provide additional information, they differ in their placement and function.
| Feature | Subject Complement | Object Complement |
| Definition | A subject complement is a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and provides more information about the subject by renaming or describing it. | An object complement is a word or phrase that follows a direct object and provides more information about it by renaming or describing it. |
| Follows | Subject Complement follows the linking verb (Example: Is, becomes, seems, feels, appears, looks). | An Object Complement follows the direct object after an action verb (Example: Make, name, consider, elect, find). |
| Function | Completes the meaning of the subject by describing or identifying it. | Completes the meaning of the object by modifying or renaming it. |
| Types | Noun, pronoun, adjective, noun phrase. | Noun, noun phrase, adjective. |
| Example | Sentence 1: She is a doctor. Explanation: Doctor is the subject complement because it renames the subject she. | Sentence 1: They elected him president. Explanation: President is the object complement because it renames the object him. |
| Key Rule | – Always follows a linking verb.– Always refers back to the subject. | – Always follows an action verb and a direct object.– Always refers back to the object. |
Explore: 500+ Common Verbs in English That You Must Know!
Subject Complement vs. Adverb
Get insights into the difference between subject complement and adverb with their respective features:
| Feature | Subject Complement | Adverb |
| Definition | A word or phrase that follows a linking verb and either renames or describes the subject. | A word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb by describing time, place, manner, frequency, or degree. |
| Follows | A linking verb (is, was, become, seem, look, feel, appear, remain, etc.). | An action verb or another modifier. |
| Type of Word | Can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective. | Always an adverb. |
| Function | Identifies or describes the subject of the sentence. | Modifies how an action is performed, when it happens, or to what extent. |
| Answers | What/who is the subject? | How? When? Where? To what extent? |
| Examples | The cake smells delicious. (delicious describes cake) | – She sings beautifully. (beautifully modifies her singing) |
Must Read: 99+ Adverb Example Sentences
Subject Complement vs. Direct Object
Get insights into the difference between subject complement and direct objects with their respective features:
| Feature | Subject Complement | Direct Object |
| Definition | A word or phrase that follows a linking verb and either renames or describes the subject. | A word or phrase that follows an action verb and receives the action of the verb. |
| Follows | A linking verb (is, was, become, seem, look, feel, appear, remain, etc.). | An action verb (write, build, make, give, see, call, etc.). |
| Type of Word | Can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective. | Always a noun or pronoun. |
| Function | Provides more information about the subject. | Identifies what or who receives the action of the verb. |
| Answers | What/who is the subject? | What/who receives the action? |
| Examples | The sky looks clear. (clear describes sky) | They built a house. (house receives the action of being built) |
Explore: Dynamic vs Stative Verbs: A Simple Guide
Learning Exercise for Subject Complement in Grammar
Practice subject complement in grammar exercises from the different exercises given below and master your learning until now.
Exercise 1: Identify the Subject Complement
Instructions: In each sentence below, identify the subject complement and specify whether it is a noun, pronoun, or adjective.
1. The weather became colder.
2. She is a talented singer.
3. The flowers smell wonderful.
4. My father was a doctor.
5. The cake looks delicious.
6. The winner was he.
7. His idea seemed brilliant.
8. The soup tasted too salty.
9. Their performance was outstanding.
10. My best friend is an artist.
Answers:
| S.No. | Subject Complement | Type (Noun/Pronoun/Adjective) |
| 01. | colder | Adjective |
| 02. | a talented singer | Noun |
| 03. | wonderful | Adjective |
| 04. | a doctor | Noun |
| 05. | delicious | Adjective |
| 06. | he | Pronoun |
| 07. | brilliant | Adjective |
| 08. | too salty | Adjective |
| 09. | outstanding | Adjective |
| 10. | an artist | Noun |
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks with Subject Complements
Instructions: Complete the sentences below by adding a suitable subject complement.
1. The sky looks __________.
2. He became __________.
3. My mother is __________.
4. The soup tastes __________.
5. They seem __________.
6. The winner was __________.
7. The story sounds __________.
8. His idea proved __________.
9. The baby is __________.
10. Their decision was __________.
Answers:
- cloudy
- a leader
- a teacher
- spicy
- happy
- Rohan (or any person’s name)
- interesting
- useful
- asleep
- final
Exercise 3: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Instructions: Choose the correct subject complement in each sentence.
1. The winner of the contest is ________.
a) happily
b) John
c) ran fast
2. The soup smells ________.
a) delicious
b) carefully
c) quickly
3. She remained ________ throughout the meeting.
a) silent
b) speaking
c) loudly
4. The artist became ________.
a) famous
b) painting
c) quickly
5. The house looks ________.
a) beautiful
b) beautifully
c) runs
6. The movie was ________.
a) exciting
b) excitedly
c) watching
7. The road appears ________ after the rain.
a) slippery
b) slipping
c) slipped
8. His voice sounds ________.
a) deep
b) deeply
c) sings
9. The milk turned ________ in the heat.
a) sour
b) sourly
c) curdled
10. The garden looks ________ in spring.
a) beautiful
b) beautifully
c) blooms
Answers:
- b) John
- a) delicious
- a) silent
- a) famous
- a) beautiful
- a) warm
- a) happy
- a) interesting
- a) sweet
- a) calm
Check out: Engaging Verbs Lesson Plan for Young Learners
Understanding what is subject complements in grammar is important for mastering sentence structure and improving writing clarity. Whether they rename the subject as a noun or describe it as an adjective, subject complements help convey precise meanings. By identifying linking verbs and the words that follow them, students can enhance their grammar skills and communicate more effectively. With practice, recognising and using subject complements correctly will become second nature, leading to clearer and more impactful writing.
Check the related blog from Learn English here!
FAQs
Ans. A complement is a word or phrase that completes the meaning of a sentence by adding information about the subject or object.
Examples:
1. She is a doctor. (Subject complement)
2. They named him captain. (Object complement)
Ans. A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence to additional information without expressing an action. It helps describe the subject’s state or identity. In contrast, a subject complement follows a linking verb and either renames or describes the subject, completing the sentence’s meaning. For example, in the sentence The food smells delicious, the verb “smells” acts as a linking verb because it connects the subject “food” to the adjective “delicious,” which serves as the subject complement by describing the food. Common linking verbs include is, are, was, were, become, seem, look, and appear, while subject complements can be nouns or adjectives, such as a doctor, happy, tired, or intelligent.
Ans. Here are five sentences with subject complements:
1. The sky looks blue. (Adjective)
2. She became a writer. (Noun)
3. The soup smells delicious. (Adjective)
4. He was my best friend. (Noun)
5. They seem tired. (Adjective)
Ans. To identify a subject complement, follow these steps:
Find the subject of the sentence.
1. Locate the linking verb (is, are, was, were, seem, become, and look.)
2. Identify the word after the linking verb – if it renames or describes the subject, it is a subject complement.
Ans. The main rule for subject complements is:
A subject complement must follow a linking verb and either rename or describe the subject.
Examples:
1. He is a teacher. (Renames He)
2. The weather became colder. (Describes The weather)
We hope this blog on Subject Complement in Grammar was informative and helped you improve your English skills. You can also follow the Learn English page of Leverage Edu for more exciting and informative blogs related to English grammar and the English language.
45,000+ students trusted us with their dreams. Take the first step today!
