Which word or phrase in the following sentence is a predicate nominative?
After finishing high school, Edward became a plumber.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and helps to explain or rename the subject.
A linking verb describes the subject's state of being or condition. It is not an action verb. One way to think of a linking verb is that it is a verb you could replace with "is" and still have the sentence make sense.
Examples of linking verbs:
He is an electrician.
Dinner smells good.
She appears tired.
Not linking verbs:
He smells the salt in the ocean air.
she appeared out of nowhere.
"a plumber" is a predicate nominative because it is restating what the subject (Edward) is. Notice that it follows a linking verb ("became").

Which Word or Phrase in the Following Sentence Is a Predicate