Subject Complement
Meaning
Complement means something that is added to complete. A subject complement is a thing (grammatical structure) that completes a subject in a sentence.
Definition
A subject complement is a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and identifies or renames the subject in a sentence.
- The meal that you have prepared smells delicious.
- Ali is a good doctor.
In the above examples, the word “delicious” and the phrase “a good doctor” are subject complements. They follow the linking verbs “smells and is”. The complements complete the subjects by giving more information.
Types of Subject Complements
We have two types of subject complements.
Predicative Nominative
A noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and renames the subject in a sentence is called a predicate nominative. Remember that a noun phrase/clause that follows a linking verb is also called a predicate nominative.
- My best teacher is Ali.
- He is an English teacher.
- The teacher was the one who taught us honestly.
Predicate Adjective
An adjective that follows a linking verb and renames the subject is called a predicate adjective. Remember that an adjective phrase that follows a linking verb is also called a predicate adjective.
- Ali is cute.
- Ali is extremely cute.
Examples of Subject Complement
- I feel thirsty.
- They are happy.
- He was my friend.
- She will be very hungry.
- Ali is my best friend.
- Anna is a very beautiful girl.
- The pizza smells wonderful.
- The new house is well designed.
- She became shy when we laughed at her.
- I will be his brother-in-law this year.
Adverb as a Subject Complement
We don’t use an adverb as a subject complement because a subject complement works as an adjective, noun, or pronoun.
- It smells wonderfully. ×
The word “wonderfully” is an adverb. It cannot be a subject complement because an adverb modifies an action (verb) but not a linking verb. Secondly, a subject complement gives more information about a subject than a verb.
- It smells wonderful. √
The word “wonderful” is an adjective that modifies the subject, so using the adjective (wonderful) is correct but not the adverb (wonderfully).
“It is I” or “It is me”
Traditionally, we use a subjective case in a subject complement (It is I). “It is me” is also commonly used. As a result, it depends upon you. If you want traditional writing, use “It is I”. On the other hand, you can also write “It is me” if you wish.
What is the role of a subject complement?
A subject complement plays a key role in a sentence. A sentence can be formed using a subject complement when we don’t have an action verb. A subject complement’s role is to provide additional information about the subject.
Infinitive Phrase as a Subject Complement
We know that an infinitive/infinitive phrase can be used as a noun or adjective. Therefore, we can use an infinitive/infinitive phrase as a subject complement.
- Her good habit is to study.
- Her aim is to become a scientist.
Gerund as a Subject Complement
A gerund functions as a noun. When a gerund follows a linking verb, the gerund is also called a subject complement.
- My favorite exercise is swimming.
