Final answer:
The italicized word 'fullback' in the sentence serves as a predicate noun, which renames the subject 'Tom' and is connected by the verb 'will be'. Predicate nouns are part of predicates that tell us more about the subject and require subject-verb agreement to ensure clarity in communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
The italicized word in the sentence 'Tom will be fullback again this year' acts as a predicate noun. A predicate noun, also known as a subject complement, is a noun or noun phrase that renames or provides further information about the subject after a linking verb. Here, 'fullback' is the noun that renames the subject 'Tom' after the linking verb 'will be'.
In grammar, the predicate of a sentence tells us about the subject and usually contains the verb, which can express actions, occurrences, or states of being. Predicate nouns specifically serve to complement the subject by connecting to it through a linking verb. The subject and its verb must agree in number; this is known as subject-verb agreement, which ensures that a singular subject has a singular verb, and a plural subject has a plural verb. However, variations in agreement can be found in different English dialects.
The predicates, like the word 'fullback' in the example, help to clarify statements by providing information on what is being predicated about the subject. When analyzing sentences, we can also look for direct objects, indirect objects, and other parts of speech such as adjectives, adverbs, or phrases that constitute the predicate. Correctly identifying the parts of a sentence is crucial for understanding its meaning and construction.