IELTS Writing Tips: Learning About Predicative Adjectives

IELTS Academic Writing Sub-test

As one of the components of the IELTS Academic Test, the Writing Section is designed to evaluate a wide range of writing skills, including how well you can organize ideas, construct clear and concise responses, and use a variety of vocabulary and grammar. If you’re enrolled in the best IELTS review online program, it is practical to seek different tips and strategies that can help boost your writing skills and get your desired IELTS Academic Writing Score.

For instance, learning about predicative adjectives is a good writing tip that you can use in your IELTS review online packages.

What Is a Predicative Adjective?

A predicative adjective (or predicate adjective) is an adjective that follows a linking verb (am, is, are, was, were, etc.) and describes the subject in a sentence. Check the examples below:

Bryan is sad

            All the artifacts in the museum are prehistoric.

            The ocean was glowing from the setting sun.

Some action words can also function as a linking verb when followed by a predicative adjective. See the examples:

            Mount Rushmore looks amazing.

            Stewie seems afraid of the dog.

            My mom’s lasagna smells scrumptious.

“Looks,” “seems,” and “smells” are action words that act as a linking verb in the sample sentences.

Compound Predicative Adjectives

When there is more than one predicative adjective modifying the same subject, it is known as a compound predicative adjective. For students enrolled in the best IELTS review online program, here are examples of two or more predicative adjective in the same sentence:

Predicative Adjectives with linking verbs

            Joy’s writing is amazing and illuminating.

            Some football players are strong, tough, and agile.

            The roses were beautiful and fragrant.

Predicative Adjectives with action verbs (Acting as linking verbs)

            The dish tastes spicy, hot, and delicious.

            When her car broke down, she felt sad and lonely.

            Chris looks healthy and fit.

Predicative Adjectives as Object Complements

A predicative adjective can also describe the direct object in a sentence. For test takers enrolled in IELTS review online packages, check these examples:

            They painted the door blue.

            The investigators found the old building empty.

            Our present renters have kept the apartment clean and tidy.

“The door,” “the old building,” and “the apartment” are the direct objects in the sample sentences. “Blue,” “empty,” and “clean and tidy” are the predicative adjectives that modify the direct objects in the sample sentences.

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REFERENCES:

“Attributive and Predicative Adjectives.” The Internet Grammar of English. Accessed November 05, 2018. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/internet-grammar/adjectiv/attribut.htm.

Nordquist, R. "Definition and Examples of Predicative Adjective in English Grammar." ThoughtCo. Accessed November 05, 2018. https://www.thoughtco.com/predicative-adjective-1691656.

“Predicative Adjectives.” The Free Dictionary. Accessed November 05, 2018. https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Predicative-Adjectives.htm.

"What Is a Predicate Adjective? Definition, Examples of Predicate Adjectives." Writing Explained. Accessed November 05, 2018. https://writingexplained.org/grammar-dictionary/predicate-adjective.