{"id":36064,"date":"2025-04-03T17:02:29","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T11:32:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leverageedu.com\/explore\/?p=36064"},"modified":"2025-04-03T17:02:29","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T11:32:29","slug":"subject-complement-in-grammar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leverageedu.com\/explore\/learn-english\/subject-complement-in-grammar\/","title":{"rendered":"Subject Complement in Grammar: Definition, Meaning and Example"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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, <\/em>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What is Subject Complement in Grammar? <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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 <\/strong><\/a>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example of Subject Complement:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She is a doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explanation:<\/strong>
<\/strong>In this sentence, “doctor” is the subject complement<\/em> because it follows the linking verb “is” and describes the subject “She.” A subject complement either renames (predicate nominative) or describes (predicate adjective<\/strong><\/a>) the subject. Here, “doctor” renames “She,” making it a predicate nominative.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Must Read: <\/strong>Adjective Sheet for Class 3 with Answers (Free PDF)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Subject Complement with Examples<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In this section, we will explore different types of subject complement in grammar, their definition, along with examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Type<\/strong><\/td>Definition<\/strong><\/td>Examples<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Predicate Nominatives<\/strong><\/td>A noun or pronoun<\/strong><\/a> that follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject.<\/td>My brother is a doctor.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Predicate Pronouns<\/strong><\/td>A pronoun<\/strong><\/a> that acts as a subject complement after a linking verb.<\/td>The author of the book is he.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Noun as Subject Complements<\/strong><\/td>A single noun that renames the subject.<\/td>That man is a pilot.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Noun Phrase as Subject Complements<\/strong><\/td>A group of words containing a noun that renames the subject.<\/td>His dream is to become a scientist.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Predicate Adjectives<\/strong><\/td>An adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject.<\/td>The weather seems cold.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Adjective as Subject Complements<\/strong><\/td>A single adjective acting as a subject complement.<\/td>The soup is hot.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Adjective Phrases & Compound Adjectives as Subject Complements<\/strong><\/td>A phrase<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>or compound adjective describing the subject.<\/td>Her idea was very creative.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Predicate Adverbs<\/strong><\/td>An adverb<\/strong> that follows a linking verb and modifies the subject.<\/td>The meeting is tomorrow<\/em>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A subject complement cannot exist without a linking verb, and a linking verb always connects to a subject complement for complete meaning.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Also Read: <\/strong>Clause, Phrase and Sentence: What\u2019s the Difference?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Identify Subject Complement?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steps 1. Find the Subject<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example:<\/strong> The cake is delicious.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explanation:<\/strong> In the sentence The cake is delicious,<\/em> the subject is The cake<\/em> 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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2. Locate the Linking Verb<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/em>, appear<\/em>, feel, look, taste, smell,<\/em> and sound.   <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example:<\/strong> The cake is delicious.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explanation: <\/strong>In the sentence The cake is delicious, the linking verb is is because it connects the subject (The cake) <\/em>to the subject complement (delicious)<\/em>, describing its state or quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3: Identify the Word or Phrase After the Linking Verb<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look at the word or phrase that comes immediately after the linking verb. This is your potential subject complement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example:<\/strong> The cake is delicious.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explanation:<\/strong> In the sentence The cake is delicious, the word after the linking verb is is delicious<\/em>. It serves as the subject complement in grammar, describing the quality of the cake<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 4: Check if it Renames or Describes the Subject:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n