Final answer:
A predicate adjective follows the be verb in a sentence, serving as a subject complement that describes the subject. For example, in 'The flowers are yellow,' 'yellow' is the predicate adjective. These types of adjectives play a crucial role in sentence construction and clarity.
Step-by-step explanation:
A predicate adjective follows the verbs (implied or stated) "be verb." In English grammar, when a form of the verb to be—such as am, is, are, was, were—serves as the main verb in a sentence, it is often followed by a noun phrase, an adverbial, or a subject complement that is an adjective. This adjective is known as the predicate adjective because it predicates, or provides information about, the subject of the sentence.
For example, in the sentence 'The flowers are yellow,' 'yellow' is a predicate adjective describing 'The flowers.' This structure is important for understanding how to construct sentences that provide a clear and descriptive statement.
Predicate adjectives are an integral part of sentences, as they add descriptive information that helps to clarify statements and remove ambiguity from the language. They contribute to the standard agreement between subjects and verbs, which is a fundamental aspect of proper English syntax.