What Is a Predicate Pronoun?

Having trouble viewing this message? [Click here to view it online.]( To unsubscribe or change contact details, scroll to the bottom and follow the link. [GrammarBook.com]( Your #1 Source for Grammar and Punctuation What Is a Predicate Pronoun? The presenter will be she. The culprit is you? If you continue your method acting of that character, you will become he. You probably use or recognize statements expressed in ways such as these. It's also possible that when speaking colloquial English you might use an object pronoun rather than a subject pronoun in the [predicate]( Examples The presenter will be her. If you continue your method acting of that character, you will become him. Using an object pronoun in the predicate would be understood but incorrect. This is because the example sentences thus far call for a predicate pronoun, which is a pronoun that renames or identifies the subject noun in the [subjective case](. presenter = she culprit = you you = he Predicate pronouns are also known as subject complements and [predicate nominatives](. In each instance, there is a subject, a verb ([linking verb]( and a pronoun that mirrors the subject. presenter > will be > she culprit > is > you you > will become > he Predicate Pronouns: More Usage and Examples Let's look at more predicate pronouns being properly used with a subject and a linking verb: The Wilsons are moving in next door, so our new neighbors will be they. My source of inspiration has always been you. Today's hosts of the event are we. While these sentences are grammatically correct, a writer or speaker may feel that some constructions with a predicate pronoun sound stilted or overly formal (e.g., ending a sentence with we, as in the hosts are we). If this is the case, a sentence can simply be recast by changing the predicate pronoun to a nominative subject—in other words, by switching the subject and pronoun positions: Our new neighbors will be they > They will be our new neighbors Today's hosts of the event are we > We are today's hosts of the event The presenter will be she > She will be the presenter Predicate Pronouns: Not Direct Objects Understanding what a predicate pronoun is can be reinforced by recognizing what a predicate pronoun is not. A predicate pronoun is never an object. To the contrary, it serves only to provide additional information about the sentence subject. For this reason, a predicate pronoun will always follow a linking verb such as be or become because it conveys a state of being in relation to the subject as opposed to completing the action of a verb. State of being: The presenter will be she. Action: She will present the quarterly report. State of being: If you continue your method acting of that character, you will become he. Action: Your method acting is fully embodying that character. The sentences that include a state-of-being verb (will be, will become) have a following predicate pronoun (she, he) that relates to the subject (presenter = she, you = he). The sentences with an action verb (will present, is embodying) include an object being acted upon (report, character). The presence of the object helps complete the action. Beyond Predicate Pronouns: Nouns and Adjectives As already shown, predicate pronouns are not the only subject complements that can follow sentence subjects and linking verbs. Predicate nouns and adjectives can be subject complements as well. Examples: Predicate Nouns She will be the presenter. You are the culprit. If you continue your method acting, you will become that character. Examples: Predicate Adjectives Her presentation was convincing. Your culpability is certain. Your method acting became all-consuming. Also note that a predicate pronoun differs from a pronoun that appears in a clause in either an object or nominative position. Examples: Predicate Pronoun The presenter will be she. The culprit is you? If you continue your method acting of that character, you will become he. Examples: Object or Nominative Clause My belief is she will be the presenter. (predicate-noun clause) I believe you are the culprit. (direct-object clause) The director's hope for the actor is he will become the character. (predicate-noun clause) Each sentence in the second group includes a pronoun in the subject-complement position, but the pronoun is the subject of a predicate-noun clause as opposed to a predicate pronoun renaming the subject. Related Topics [What Is a Predicate Adjective?]( [Nominative Case: Usage and Examples]( [Predicate Nouns: Usage and Examples]( [View and comment on this article on our website.]( [Click here to watch our video on Semicolons]( Pop Quiz Identify any predicate pronouns in the following sentences. 1. Marikka thinks she is the right candidate for the job. 2. The first person to know about the decision will be you. 3. Their preferred contacts are you and I. 4. Our next division director will be he, and he is an efficient corporate strategist. 5. The truth is they are ready to close the deal right now. The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation by Lester Kaufman and Jane Straus The Authority on English Grammar! Twelfth Edition Now Available An indispensable tool for busy professionals, teachers, students, homeschool families, editors, writers, and proofreaders. Available in print AND as an e-Book! Over 2,000 copies are purchased every month! 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