Predicate Nouns

Direct Objects, Predicate Nouns, and Predicate Adjectives

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​Direct object

​Predicate noun

​Predicate adj.

​What is a direct object?

• A word that ​receives the action of an action verb in a sentence

• ​Must be a noun our a pronoun

• ​Answers the question "Whom?" or "What?"

​To find the direct object...

1. ​Identify the action verb in the sentence.

2. ​Ask yourself "Whom or what is receiving the action?" The answer to this question should be the direct object.

​

​See the next slide for an example and practice!

​

Multiple Choice

To find the direct object, first identify the action verb in the sentence. 

In the following sentence, what is the action verb?

The boy kicked the ball.

• ball

• the

• kicked

• boy

Multiple Choice

Now ask yourself, "What or whom did the boy kick?"

The boy kicked the ball.

The answer is the direct object of the sentence!

• boy

• kicked

• the

• ball

Practice time!​

In the following sentences, first identify the action verb. 

Then identify the direct object.​

Multiple Choice

What is the action verb in the following sentence?

Oscar answered the phone.

• phone

• answered

• Oscar

• the

Multiple Choice

What is the direct object in the following sentence?

Oscar answered the phone.

• phone

• answered

• Oscar

• the

Multiple Choice

What is the action verb in the following sentence?

Yesterday I spoke with Mr. Roscoe.

• Yesterday

• with

• spoke

• Mr. Roscoe

Multiple Choice

What is the direct object in the following sentence?

Yesterday I spoke with Mr. Roscoe.

• Yesterday

• with

• spoke

• Mr. Roscoe

Multiple Choice

What is the action verb in the following sentence?

Mrs. Jansen walks her dogs before school.

• her

• walks

• dogs

• before

Multiple Choice

What is the direct object in the following sentence?

Mrs. Jansen walks her dogs before school.

• her

• walks

• dogs

• before

​What is a predicate noun?

• It names the subject and follows a linking verb.

• ​It answers the question "What?" or "How?"

​But wait... What is a linking verb?

• ​Verbs that serve as a connection between a subject and further information about that subject.

• They do not show any action; rather, they “link” the subject with the rest of the sentence.

• The verb "to be" is the most common linking verb.

• ​Words that relate to the five senses are often linking verbs (see, smell, hear, feel, taste), but not always.

A handful—a very frequently used handful—of verbs are always linking verbs:

• ​all forms of "to be" (am, is, are, was, were, has been, are being, might be, etc.)

• ​to become

• ​to seem

​Linking verb or action verb?

You can do this "test" to find out!

You can replace linking verbs with a form of the verb "to be" and the sentence will make sense.

​You cannot do the same with action verbs.

​

For example:

​

​Kelly grows tired = Kelly is tired (linking verb = grows)

​Kelly grows sunflowers does not work with "Kelly is sunflowers" (action verb = grows)

Multiple Choice

Let's see an example sentence...

What is the verb in this sentence?

I am a teacher. 

• I

• am

• a

• teacher

Multiple Choice

Now ask yourself, "What am I?" in this sentence...

I am a teacher. 

The answer to that question = predicate noun.

• I

• am

• a

• teacher

​But wait! There's more! What are predicate adjectives?

• ​A predicate adjective describes the subject.

• ​It also follows a linking verb.

• ​It also answers the question “What?” or “How?”

Multiple Choice

Let's see an example sentence...

What is the verb in this sentence?

I am hungry.

• hungry

• I

• am

Multiple Choice

Now ask yourself, "What am I?" in this sentence.

The answer is your predicate adjective!

I am hungry.

• hungry

• I

• am

Practice time!​

In each of the following sentences, the linking verb is underlined.

Identify the word that is the predicate noun or predicate adjective.

​Finally, clarify whether the word is a predicate noun or predicate adjective.

Multiple Choice

What is the predicate noun or predicate adjective in the sentence below?

Sarah was happy yesterday morning.

• Sarah

• happy

• yesterday

• morning

Multiple Choice

Is "happy" a predicate noun or predicate adjective?

Sarah was happy yesterday morning.

• Predicate noun

• Prediate adjective

Multiple Choice

What is the predicate noun or predicate adjective in the sentence below?

Juanita and Ernesto are engineers.

• Juanita

• and

• Ernesto

• engineers

Multiple Choice

Is "engineers" a predicate noun or a predicate adjective? 

Juanita and Ernesto are engineers.

• Predicate noun

• Predicate adjective

Multiple Choice

What is the predicate noun or predicate adjective in the sentence below?

They were absent from school.

• They

• absent

• from

• school

Multiple Choice

Is "absent" a predicate noun or a predicate adjective?

They were absent from school.

• Predicate noun

• Predicate adjective

Multiple Choice

What is the predicate noun or predicate adjective in the sentence below?

The morning air smells fresh.

• the

• morning

• air

• fresh

Multiple Choice

Is "fresh" a predicate noun or a predicate adjective?

The morning air smells fresh.

• Predicate noun

• Predicate adjective

Multiple Choice

What is the predicate noun or predicate adjective in the sentence below?

She is an actress.

• She

• is

• an

• actress

Multiple Choice

Is "actress" a predicate noun or a predicate adjective?

She is an actress.

• Predicate noun

• Predicate adjective

​Now it's time to complete a left side assignment!

1. ​Think about what you just learned about direct objects, predicate nouns, and predicate adjectives.

2. ​Identify their similarities and differences on the Venn Diagram you created on your next left side page.

3. ​Strive to identify 3-5 items in each area of your Venn Diagram.