predicate adjective

[/ˈprɛdɪkət ˈædʒɪktɪv/]
nounpl: predicate adjectives
adjetivo predicativo
1. An adjective that follows a linking verb and describes or modifies the subject of a sentence
The sky is blue.
O céu é azul.
2. An adjective in the predicate that is connected to the subject through a copula or linking verb such as 'to be', 'to seem', 'to appear', or 'to become'
She seems happy.
Ela parece feliz.
3. A complement adjective that renames or describes the subject rather than directly modifying it
The water tastes sweet.
A água tem gosto doce.
This is a fundamental grammatical concept taught in both American and Brazilian schools. In Brazil, the term 'adjetivo predicativo' is essential to grammar curriculum. The concept is particularly important for distinguishing between attributive adjectives (which precede nouns) and predicate adjectives (which follow linking verbs). Both American English and Portuguese share similar structures for this grammatical function.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
subject complementpredicative adjectivecomplement adjective
Antonyms / Antônimos
attributive adjective

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
adjetivo predicativo
Standard term used in Brazilian Portuguese grammar instruction
São Paulo
adjetivo predicativo
Consistent usage in formal education and linguistic contexts
Portugal
adjetivo predicativo
Same terminology used in European Portuguese grammar
General English (USA)
predicate adjective
Standard grammatical term in American English education

Related Words

linking verbcopulasubjectpredicateadjectivecomplement

Related Idioms & Phrases

linking verb with predicate adjective
subject-linking verb-predicate adjective construction
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