Linking Verbs- Subjective Complement

Linking Verbs

A linking verb is used to re-identify or to describe its subject.

A linking verb is called a linking verb because it links the subject to the subjective complement. A linking verb tells us what the subject is, not what the subject is doing.

Examples of Linking Verbs:

The students look enthusiastic (Here, the subject is described as enthusiastic)
He is an architect. (Here, the subject is re-identified as an architect.
Alan is a vampire. (Here, the subject is re-identified as a vampire.)
Alan is thirsty. (Here, the subject is described as thirsty.)

Linking verbs require a complement.

The Subjective Complement

A subjective complement is a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and identifies or describes the subject.

The subjective complement predicates something about the subject.

A subjective complement is either an adjective, a noun, or a pronoun.

Easy Examples of Subjective Complements

In the examples below, the linking verbs are in bold and the subjective complements are shaded:

Ben is a policeman.(The linking verb is is (i.e., the verb to be). The subjective complement identifies the subject Ben. It is a noun.)

He will be fine.(The linking verb is will be (i.e., the verb to be). The subjective complement describes the subject He. It is an adjective.)

So, what is the difference between Direct Object, Indirect Object, and Subjective Complement?

Watch these videos:

PART 1