Examples of predicate nouns:
* The boy is a student.
* The girl became a doctor.
* The dog was a stray.
In these examples, the predicate nouns "student," "doctor," and "stray" rename the subjects "boy," "girl," and "dog," respectively.
Examples of predicate nominatives:
* I am a teacher.
* You are a friend.
* They are students.
In these examples, the predicate nominatives "teacher," "friend," and "students" all rename the subjects in the nominative case.
Predicate nouns and predicate nominatives are often confused, but there are a few key differences:
* Predicate nouns can follow any type of linking verb, while predicate nominatives can only follow linking verbs that are in the present tense.
* Predicate nouns can be in any case, while predicate nominatives must be in the nominative case.
* Predicate nouns are always optional, while predicate nominatives are sometimes required.
Here is a table summarizing the differences between predicate nouns and predicate nominatives:
| Feature | Predicate Noun | Predicate Nominative |
|---|---|---|
| Verb type | Any linking verb | Linking verb in the present tense |
| Case | Any case | Nominative case |
| Optionality | Optional | Sometimes required |