To solve this, we need to check each sentence to see if the underlined word is a
predicate adjective.
What is a predicate adjective?
1. It must be an
adjective (a word that describes something).
2. It must follow a
linking verb (like *is, are, was, were, become, feel, seem, smell, taste*).
3. It must describe the
subject of the sentence.
If the word is just part of a noun phrase (describing a noun directly before it) or follows an action verb, it is
not a predicate adjective.
Let's look at each sentence:
1.
She became <u>angry</u> when she saw the bully.
* Verb: *became* (linking verb).
* Word: *angry* (adjective).
* Does it describe "She"? Yes.
*
Answer: P
2.
I am <u>hungry</u>.
* Verb: *am* (linking verb).
* Word: *hungry* (adjective).
* Does it describe "I"? Yes.
*
Answer: P
3.
The <u>little</u> boy ran home.
* Verb: *ran* (action verb).
* Word: *little* comes before the noun "boy". It is just describing the boy directly, not following a linking verb.
*
Answer: N
4.
The water in the tub became <u>cold</u>.
* Verb: *became* (linking verb).
* Word: *cold* (adjective).
* Does it describe "The water"? Yes.
*
Answer: P
5.
The <u>large</u> crowd heard the band.
* Verb: *heard* (action verb).
* Word: *large* comes before the noun "crowd". It is not a predicate adjective.
*
Answer: N
6.
My mother felt <u>cold</u> last night.
* Verb: *felt* (linking verb here, describing her state/feeling).
* Word: *cold* (adjective).
* Does it describe "My mother"? Yes.
*
Answer: P
7.
That dog is not the <u>old</u> man's dog.
* Verb: *is* (linking verb).
* Word: *old*. However, look closely. "Old" is describing "man", which is part of the phrase "the old man's dog". The word "old" is stuck right next to the noun "man". It is not describing the subject "That dog". The subject complement is the whole phrase "the old man's dog". Because "old" is directly modifying "man", it is acting as a regular adjective, not a predicate adjective for the subject.
*
Answer: N
8.
Her sister made <u>purple</u> cupcakes.
* Verb: *made* (action verb).
* Word: *purple* comes before the noun "cupcakes". It describes the cupcakes directly.
*
Answer: N
Final Answer:
1. P
2. P
3. N
4. P
5. N
6. P
7. N
8. N
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of predicate nominatives worksheets.
