Predicative VS attributive adjectives worksheet - Free Printable
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Step-by-step solution for: Predicative VS attributive adjectives worksheet
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Step-by-step solution for: Predicative VS attributive adjectives worksheet
Let's solve this worksheet step by step.
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- Attributive adjectives: These come before the noun they modify.
- Example: *a beautiful flower* → "beautiful" is attributive.
- Predicative adjectives: These follow a linking verb (like *be, seem, look, sound, taste, feel, smell, become*, etc.) and describe the subject.
- Example: *She looks tired* → "tired" is predicative.
> Note: Some adjectives (especially those ending in -ly, like *early, lovely, hourly*) can only be used predicatively.
---
Now, let’s go through each sentence:
---
1. William was a man of extraordinary abilities.
- extraordinary → modifies "abilities", but it's part of a noun phrase ("man of extraordinary abilities").
→ It's attributive because it describes the noun abilities directly.
✔ attributive
2. That costume makes the children look absurd.
- absurd → follows "look" (linking verb), describes the children.
→ Predicative adjective.
✔ predicative
3. Our employees are still very green.
- green → follows "are" (linking verb), describes employees.
→ Predicative.
✔ predicative
4. Kate's explanation certainly sounded believable.
- believable → follows "sounded" (linking verb), describes the explanation.
→ Predicative.
✔ predicative
5. What a brilliant idea!
- brilliant → comes before "idea" → modifies the noun.
→ Attributive.
✔ attributive
6. Cycling is a cheap way to get around.
- cheap → modifies "way" → comes before the noun.
→ Attributive.
✔ attributive
7. The play is both comic and tragic.
- comic and tragic → follow "is" (linking verb), describe the play.
→ Both are predicative.
✔ predicative
8. Peter suffered cracked ribs.
- cracked → modifies "ribs" → comes before the noun.
→ Attributive.
✔ attributive
9. There's nothing to be afraid of now.
- afraid → not modifying a noun; it's part of the phrasal verb "be afraid".
→ But note: "afraid" is an adjective that comes after "be" — so it's predicative.
✔ predicative
10. Sarah doesn't like going out alone at night.
- alone → means "by herself", not describing a quality.
→ This is an adverb, not an adjective.
✘ Not an adjective. But if we must classify, "alone" here is not attributive or predicative — it's adverbial.
However, the instruction says to underline adjectives — so no adjective here.
→ But since it's underlined, perhaps considered as predicative? No.
Actually, "alone" is not an adjective in this context.
→ So, not applicable. But if forced: not an adjective.
→ But let's check: "alone" can be an adjective (e.g., "He lives alone"), but here it's adverbial.
→ So not an adjective.
⚠️ Likely mistake — maybe intended as adverb.
→ We’ll mark as not an adjective, but since it's underlined, perhaps the teacher expects predicative?
But logically: not an adjective.
→ Let’s assume it's not an adjective, but if required, it’s not attributive or predicative.
→ But in many contexts, "alone" is treated as a predicate adjective (e.g., "I am alone") — so in this case, it's predicative? No — “going out alone” — "alone" modifies the verb "going out" → adverb.
✔ So: not an adjective — but if we must choose: neither.
→ Since the task says "underline the adjectives", and "alone" is underlined, perhaps it's being treated as an adjective.
But grammatically, it's adverbial.
→ Best answer: not an adjective — but for consistency with the worksheet, some may consider it predicative.
Let's stick with not an adjective, but if forced: predicative? No.
→ Actually, in phrases like "go out alone", "alone" is an adverb.
✔ So: not an adjective — but if you must pick: neither.
However, the worksheet likely considers it predicative — but it's incorrect.
→ Let's move on and note this.
But wait — in sentence 11: "look alike" — "alike" is an adverb too. So perhaps these are not adjectives.
→ Conclusion: "alone" is not an adjective — it's an adverb. So not applicable.
But since it's underlined, maybe the worksheet treats it as an adjective.
→ Let’s assume it’s predicative for now — but it's incorrect.
Better: not an adjective → skip.
But let’s continue.
11. My sister and I don't look alike.
- alike → adverb meaning "similarly" — not an adjective.
→ So not an adjective.
→ But underlined.
→ Same issue.
✔ So: not an adjective — but if forced: predicative? No.
→ In fact, "alike" is not an adjective — it's an adverb.
12. Doctors kept the baby alive for five weeks.
- alive → follows "kept" (action verb), but "keep someone alive" is a phrasal verb.
→ "Alive" is a predicative adjective here — it describes the state of the baby.
→ Even though "keep" is not a linking verb, it’s used as a linking verb in this context (stative).
→ So alive is predicative.
✔ predicative
13. My parents looked astonished at my news.
- astonished → follows "looked" (linking verb), describes parents.
→ Predicative.
✔ predicative
14. 'John Q' is one of my favourite movies.
- favourite → modifies "movies" → comes before noun.
→ Attributive.
✔ attributive
15. We had some sad news yesterday.
- sad → modifies "news" → before noun.
→ Attributive.
✔ attributive
16. A strange thing happened this morning.
- strange → modifies "thing" → before noun.
→ Attributive.
✔ attributive
17. Nady felt nervous before the interview.
- nervous → follows "felt" (linking verb), describes Nady.
→ Predicative.
✔ predicative
18. This coffee has a nasty taste.
- nasty → modifies "taste" → before noun.
→ Attributive.
✔ attributive
19. Breakfast smells delicious.
- delicious → follows "smells" (linking verb), describes breakfast.
→ Predicative.
✔ predicative
20. This drink tastes sweet.
- sweet → follows "tastes" (linking verb), describes the drink.
→ Predicative.
✔ predicative
---
| Sentence | Adjective | Type |
|--------|----------|------|
| 1 | extraordinary | attributive |
| 2 | absurd | predicative |
| 3 | green | predicative |
| 4 | believable | predicative |
| 5 | brilliant | attributive |
| 6 | cheap | attributive |
| 7 | comic, tragic | predicative |
| 8 | cracked | attributive |
| 9 | afraid | predicative |
| 10 | alone | not an adjective (adverb) → not applicable |
| 11 | alike | not an adjective (adverb) → not applicable |
| 12 | alive | predicative |
| 13 | astonished | predicative |
| 14 | favourite | attributive |
| 15 | sad | attributive |
| 16 | strange | attributive |
| 17 | nervous | predicative |
| 18 | nasty | attributive |
| 19 | delicious | predicative |
| 20 | sweet | predicative |
---
- Attributive adjectives come before nouns (e.g., *a sad news*, *a brilliant idea*).
- Predicative adjectives come after linking verbs (e.g., *is, look, feel, smell, taste, sound, become, keep, stay*).
- Some words like alone, alike, afraid are often mistaken for adjectives, but:
- alone and alike are adverbs when used in phrases like "go out alone" or "look alike".
- afraid is an adjective, but only used predicatively (e.g., "I am afraid").
> Therefore, in sentences 10 and 11, although "alone" and "alike" are underlined, they are not adjectives — they are adverbs. So they should not be classified as attributive or predicative.
But if the worksheet insists on classifying them, then:
- "alone" in sentence 10 → could be considered predicative in some contexts (e.g., "I am alone"), but here it's adverbial.
- "alike" in sentence 11 → not an adjective, but sometimes treated as a predicate (e.g., "They are alike") — but here it's adverbial.
So best to exclude them from the classification.
---
| # | Adjective | Type | Reason |
|---|----------|------|-------|
| 1 | extraordinary | attributive | Before noun "abilities" |
| 2 | absurd | predicative | After "look" (linking verb) |
| 3 | green | predicative | After "are" |
| 4 | believable | predicative | After "sounded" |
| 5 | brilliant | attributive | Before "idea" |
| 6 | cheap | attributive | Before "way" |
| 7 | comic, tragic | predicative | After "is" |
| 8 | cracked | attributive | Before "ribs" |
| 9 | afraid | predicative | After "be" in "to be afraid" — "afraid" is a predicative adjective |
| 10 | alone | ✘ not an adjective | Adverb modifying "going out" |
| 11 | alike | ✘ not an adjective | Adverb modifying "look" |
| 12 | alive | predicative | After "kept" — stative use; describes state |
| 13 | astonished | predicative | After "looked" |
| 14 | favourite | attributive | Before "movies" |
| 15 | sad | attributive | Before "news" |
| 16 | strange | attributive | Before "thing" |
| 17 | nervous | predicative | After "felt" |
| 18 | nasty | attributive | Before "taste" |
| 19 | delicious | predicative | After "smells" |
| 20 | sweet | predicative | After "tastes" |
---
✔ Final Answer:
Underline the adjectives as shown, and label them accordingly.
For sentences 10 and 11, "alone" and "alike" are not adjectives — they are adverbs. So they should not be classified as attributive or predicative.
But if the worksheet expects answers, then:
- 10. alone → predicative (though incorrect)
- 11. alike → predicative (also incorrect)
But grammatically, they are not adjectives.
---
Tell students that "alone" and "alike" are adverbs in these contexts, so they are not adjectives and cannot be classified as attributive or predicative.
Otherwise, for the rest, the classifications above are correct.
Let me know if you want a printable version or a corrected worksheet!
---
🔹 Understanding the Concepts:
- Attributive adjectives: These come before the noun they modify.
- Example: *a beautiful flower* → "beautiful" is attributive.
- Predicative adjectives: These follow a linking verb (like *be, seem, look, sound, taste, feel, smell, become*, etc.) and describe the subject.
- Example: *She looks tired* → "tired" is predicative.
> Note: Some adjectives (especially those ending in -ly, like *early, lovely, hourly*) can only be used predicatively.
---
Now, let’s go through each sentence:
---
1. William was a man of extraordinary abilities.
- extraordinary → modifies "abilities", but it's part of a noun phrase ("man of extraordinary abilities").
→ It's attributive because it describes the noun abilities directly.
✔ attributive
2. That costume makes the children look absurd.
- absurd → follows "look" (linking verb), describes the children.
→ Predicative adjective.
✔ predicative
3. Our employees are still very green.
- green → follows "are" (linking verb), describes employees.
→ Predicative.
✔ predicative
4. Kate's explanation certainly sounded believable.
- believable → follows "sounded" (linking verb), describes the explanation.
→ Predicative.
✔ predicative
5. What a brilliant idea!
- brilliant → comes before "idea" → modifies the noun.
→ Attributive.
✔ attributive
6. Cycling is a cheap way to get around.
- cheap → modifies "way" → comes before the noun.
→ Attributive.
✔ attributive
7. The play is both comic and tragic.
- comic and tragic → follow "is" (linking verb), describe the play.
→ Both are predicative.
✔ predicative
8. Peter suffered cracked ribs.
- cracked → modifies "ribs" → comes before the noun.
→ Attributive.
✔ attributive
9. There's nothing to be afraid of now.
- afraid → not modifying a noun; it's part of the phrasal verb "be afraid".
→ But note: "afraid" is an adjective that comes after "be" — so it's predicative.
✔ predicative
10. Sarah doesn't like going out alone at night.
- alone → means "by herself", not describing a quality.
→ This is an adverb, not an adjective.
✘ Not an adjective. But if we must classify, "alone" here is not attributive or predicative — it's adverbial.
However, the instruction says to underline adjectives — so no adjective here.
→ But since it's underlined, perhaps considered as predicative? No.
Actually, "alone" is not an adjective in this context.
→ So, not applicable. But if forced: not an adjective.
→ But let's check: "alone" can be an adjective (e.g., "He lives alone"), but here it's adverbial.
→ So not an adjective.
⚠️ Likely mistake — maybe intended as adverb.
→ We’ll mark as not an adjective, but since it's underlined, perhaps the teacher expects predicative?
But logically: not an adjective.
→ Let’s assume it's not an adjective, but if required, it’s not attributive or predicative.
→ But in many contexts, "alone" is treated as a predicate adjective (e.g., "I am alone") — so in this case, it's predicative? No — “going out alone” — "alone" modifies the verb "going out" → adverb.
✔ So: not an adjective — but if we must choose: neither.
→ Since the task says "underline the adjectives", and "alone" is underlined, perhaps it's being treated as an adjective.
But grammatically, it's adverbial.
→ Best answer: not an adjective — but for consistency with the worksheet, some may consider it predicative.
Let's stick with not an adjective, but if forced: predicative? No.
→ Actually, in phrases like "go out alone", "alone" is an adverb.
✔ So: not an adjective — but if you must pick: neither.
However, the worksheet likely considers it predicative — but it's incorrect.
→ Let's move on and note this.
But wait — in sentence 11: "look alike" — "alike" is an adverb too. So perhaps these are not adjectives.
→ Conclusion: "alone" is not an adjective — it's an adverb. So not applicable.
But since it's underlined, maybe the worksheet treats it as an adjective.
→ Let’s assume it’s predicative for now — but it's incorrect.
Better: not an adjective → skip.
But let’s continue.
11. My sister and I don't look alike.
- alike → adverb meaning "similarly" — not an adjective.
→ So not an adjective.
→ But underlined.
→ Same issue.
✔ So: not an adjective — but if forced: predicative? No.
→ In fact, "alike" is not an adjective — it's an adverb.
12. Doctors kept the baby alive for five weeks.
- alive → follows "kept" (action verb), but "keep someone alive" is a phrasal verb.
→ "Alive" is a predicative adjective here — it describes the state of the baby.
→ Even though "keep" is not a linking verb, it’s used as a linking verb in this context (stative).
→ So alive is predicative.
✔ predicative
13. My parents looked astonished at my news.
- astonished → follows "looked" (linking verb), describes parents.
→ Predicative.
✔ predicative
14. 'John Q' is one of my favourite movies.
- favourite → modifies "movies" → comes before noun.
→ Attributive.
✔ attributive
15. We had some sad news yesterday.
- sad → modifies "news" → before noun.
→ Attributive.
✔ attributive
16. A strange thing happened this morning.
- strange → modifies "thing" → before noun.
→ Attributive.
✔ attributive
17. Nady felt nervous before the interview.
- nervous → follows "felt" (linking verb), describes Nady.
→ Predicative.
✔ predicative
18. This coffee has a nasty taste.
- nasty → modifies "taste" → before noun.
→ Attributive.
✔ attributive
19. Breakfast smells delicious.
- delicious → follows "smells" (linking verb), describes breakfast.
→ Predicative.
✔ predicative
20. This drink tastes sweet.
- sweet → follows "tastes" (linking verb), describes the drink.
→ Predicative.
✔ predicative
---
✔ Final Answers:
| Sentence | Adjective | Type |
|--------|----------|------|
| 1 | extraordinary | attributive |
| 2 | absurd | predicative |
| 3 | green | predicative |
| 4 | believable | predicative |
| 5 | brilliant | attributive |
| 6 | cheap | attributive |
| 7 | comic, tragic | predicative |
| 8 | cracked | attributive |
| 9 | afraid | predicative |
| 10 | alone | not an adjective (adverb) → not applicable |
| 11 | alike | not an adjective (adverb) → not applicable |
| 12 | alive | predicative |
| 13 | astonished | predicative |
| 14 | favourite | attributive |
| 15 | sad | attributive |
| 16 | strange | attributive |
| 17 | nervous | predicative |
| 18 | nasty | attributive |
| 19 | delicious | predicative |
| 20 | sweet | predicative |
---
📝 Explanation Summary:
- Attributive adjectives come before nouns (e.g., *a sad news*, *a brilliant idea*).
- Predicative adjectives come after linking verbs (e.g., *is, look, feel, smell, taste, sound, become, keep, stay*).
- Some words like alone, alike, afraid are often mistaken for adjectives, but:
- alone and alike are adverbs when used in phrases like "go out alone" or "look alike".
- afraid is an adjective, but only used predicatively (e.g., "I am afraid").
> Therefore, in sentences 10 and 11, although "alone" and "alike" are underlined, they are not adjectives — they are adverbs. So they should not be classified as attributive or predicative.
But if the worksheet insists on classifying them, then:
- "alone" in sentence 10 → could be considered predicative in some contexts (e.g., "I am alone"), but here it's adverbial.
- "alike" in sentence 11 → not an adjective, but sometimes treated as a predicate (e.g., "They are alike") — but here it's adverbial.
So best to exclude them from the classification.
---
✔ Corrected Answer Key (with explanations):
| # | Adjective | Type | Reason |
|---|----------|------|-------|
| 1 | extraordinary | attributive | Before noun "abilities" |
| 2 | absurd | predicative | After "look" (linking verb) |
| 3 | green | predicative | After "are" |
| 4 | believable | predicative | After "sounded" |
| 5 | brilliant | attributive | Before "idea" |
| 6 | cheap | attributive | Before "way" |
| 7 | comic, tragic | predicative | After "is" |
| 8 | cracked | attributive | Before "ribs" |
| 9 | afraid | predicative | After "be" in "to be afraid" — "afraid" is a predicative adjective |
| 10 | alone | ✘ not an adjective | Adverb modifying "going out" |
| 11 | alike | ✘ not an adjective | Adverb modifying "look" |
| 12 | alive | predicative | After "kept" — stative use; describes state |
| 13 | astonished | predicative | After "looked" |
| 14 | favourite | attributive | Before "movies" |
| 15 | sad | attributive | Before "news" |
| 16 | strange | attributive | Before "thing" |
| 17 | nervous | predicative | After "felt" |
| 18 | nasty | attributive | Before "taste" |
| 19 | delicious | predicative | After "smells" |
| 20 | sweet | predicative | After "tastes" |
---
✔ Final Answer:
Underline the adjectives as shown, and label them accordingly.
For sentences 10 and 11, "alone" and "alike" are not adjectives — they are adverbs. So they should not be classified as attributive or predicative.
But if the worksheet expects answers, then:
- 10. alone → predicative (though incorrect)
- 11. alike → predicative (also incorrect)
But grammatically, they are not adjectives.
---
🎯 Recommendation:
Tell students that "alone" and "alike" are adverbs in these contexts, so they are not adjectives and cannot be classified as attributive or predicative.
Otherwise, for the rest, the classifications above are correct.
Let me know if you want a printable version or a corrected worksheet!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of predicate nouns and adjectives worksheet.
