##  [subject complement](/writing-tips-plus/subject-complement-)

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A *complement* (spelled with an *e*) is something that completes. And a *subject complement* is something that completes our idea of the subject of a sentence by giving us more information about it. Usually, the subject complement is a noun, a pronoun or an adjective.

## Location in the sentence

A subject complement is found in the **predicate** of a sentence (the part of the sentence that contains the verb and makes a statement about the subject).

The subject complement follows a **linking verb** (a verb that expresses a state of being). A verb of being is called a *linking* verb because it simply links the subject with the subject complement, without expressing any action. In a sentence with a linking verb and a subject complement, the subject is not *doing* anything; instead, the subject is *being* something.

Our most common linking verb is the verb *be* and its forms *am, is, are, was, were, been* and *being*. In addition, the verbs *seem*, *appear*, *become*, *grow*, *look*, *feel*, *sound*, *smell* and *taste* can all act as linking verbs.

## Examples

Here are some examples of sentences with linking verbs and subject complements:

- Jan is an excellent **doctor**.

Here, the subject complement is the noun *doctor* (along with its modifiers *an excellent*), which tells us something about the subject *Jan*; the verb *is* simply links them without expressing any action.

- The winners of the bubble-tea-drinking contest are **you** and **Wang**.

In the above example, the pronoun *you* and the noun *Wang* are the subject complements identifying the subject *winners*; the verb *are* simply links them without expressing any action.

- Arabella’s recipe for turnip cordial tasted **unusual**.

Here, the subject complement *unusual* is an adjective describing the subject *recipe*; the verb *tasted* simply links them without expressing any action.

- The players seem **excited** about the upcoming game.

In this last example, the subject complement *excited* is an adjective describing the subject *players*; the verb *seem* simply links them without expressing any action.

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## Liens connexes

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