Subject Complement

A subject complement is a word or phrase that describes the subject of the sentence by providing more information about the subject and thereby completes the meaning of the subject. 

In this article, you will learn what a subject complement is, the difference between a subject and a subject complement, and example sentences to understand the concept of subject complements in English grammar.

What is Subject Complement in Grammar?

In English grammar, a subject complement is a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and describes or identifies the subject in the sentence. It completes the meaning of the subject by providing more information about it. 

For example:

• She is a teacher.

In this sentence, the complement “a teacher” tells us what she is.

• The sky looks beautiful.

Here, the complement is “beautiful”, which describes the subject “sky”.

Difference Between Subject and Subject Complement

Subject and subject complement are two different things in English grammar, and it is easy to confuse the subject with the subject complement because they are related to the subject of the sentence. Here is the difference between them:

Subject:

The main person, place, or thing in the sentence.

Subject Complement:

Subject complement is a word (noun, pronoun, or adjective that gives more information about the subject.

Examples:

My brother is a doctor. 

• brother = subject
• a doctor – subject complement

The flowers smell sweet.

• flowers = subject
• sweet = subject complement

Types of Subject Complement

A subject complement gives us essential detail about the subject of a sentence. It follows a linking verb and can be either a predicate nominative (noun or pronoun) or a predicate adjective. Therefore, learning subject complements will help you write clear and more accurate English sentences and avoid common grammar mistakes. 

1. Predicate Nominative

A predicate nominative, also called Noun Subject Complement, is a noun or pronoun that renames or identifies the subject.

Examples

• She is a student.
• The winner was he.
• My favorite fruit is mangoes.

Here, the words “a student”, “he”, and “mangoes” are predicate nominative.

2. Predicate Adjective

A predicate adjective (adjective subject complement) is an adjective that describes the subject.

Examples:

• The sky is clear.
• This cake tastes delicious.
• They became tired after the long journey.

Linking Verbs and Subject Complements

Subject complements always follow linking verbs. A linking verb is a type of verb that connects the subject to more information, instead of showing action.

Common linking verbs include:

• be (is, are, am, was, were)
• seem
• appear
• become
• remain
• stay
• feel
• look
• sound
• taste
• smell

Examples:

• She is a nurse.
• They seem happy.
• The soup tastes salty.

Rules for Using Subject Complement Correctly

1. A subject complement always comes after a linking verb, not before.

Examples:

• She is a teacher. (correct)
• A teach she is. (Incorrect)

2. A predicate nominative must agree in number with the subject.

Examples:

• My hobby is music.
• My hobbies are music and reading.

3. Subject complements describe the subject, not the object.

Examples:

• She is a writer. (complement = subject “she”)
• I know a writer. (object = after action verb “know”)

Subject Complement vs Object Complement

A Subject complement gives information about the subject (after a linking verb). See the following example:

• The sky is blue.

Here, “blue” is a subject complement.

An object complement gives information about the object (after an action verb). See the following example:

• They elected him president.

Here, “president” is an object complement.

Examples of Subject Complements in Sentences

Predicate Nominative

• The leader was John.
• My best friend is she.
• His dream became reality.

Predicate Adjectives

• The house looks old.
• The children are excited.
• Her voice sounded strange.

Conclusion

A subject complement gives us essential detail about the subject of a sentence. It follows a linking verb and can be either a predicate nominative (noun or pronoun) or a predicate adjective. Therefore, learning subject complements will help you write clear and more accurate English sentences and avoid common grammar mistakes. 

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• Subject and Predicate
• Object Complement
• Types of Sentences
• Parts of Speech