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In grammar, a predicative is an element of the predicate of a sentence which supplements the subject or object by means of the verb. A predicative may be nominal or adjectival. If the complement after a linking verb is a noun or a pronoun, it is called a predicate nominative. If the complement after a linking verb is an adjective, it is called a predicate adjective.

He seems nice. (adjectival predicative of the subject)

Bob is a postman. (nominal predicative of the subject)

We painted the door white. (adjectival predicative of the object)

They elected him president. (nominal predicative of the object)

Predicatives may also be termed complements. Although sometimes object predicatives may be omitted leaving a well-formed sentence, in many instances they are essential to the meaning of the sentence:

That shrimp dish made him sick.

They called her a thief.

I consider him my friend.

See also

• Nominal sentence
• Predicate (grammar)
• Subject complement

References