Question

In the following sentence is the word "tired" a predicate nominative or a predicate adjective?

1) predicate nominative
2) predicate adjective

Answer 1

In the provided sentence, the word 'tired' is a predicate adjective because it describes the subject 'I' rather than renaming or identifying it.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the sentence 'Nora. Yes, I am very tired. I want to go to sleep at once.', the word 'tired' functions as a predicate adjective. This is because it modifies the subject 'I' by describing its state of being. A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject, while a predicate adjective follows a linking verb and describes the subject.

Since 'tired' is describing the subject and is an adjective, it is not renaming or identifying the subject, which confirms that it is indeed a predicate adjective. Identifying parts of speech and their functions within a sentence, such as nouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs helps in understanding the basic building blocks of English grammar.