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BoSsSy Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

Can a noun act as complement if it's used with the verb "be"?

Can a noun act as complement if it's used with the verb "be"?

For example:

My brother is funny. // Funny here acts as a complement to the subject.

But what about:

My brother is a pig.

Is "a pig" also complementing the subject even though it's a noun?

  

Top answer

My brother is funny . Yes, but you've got the analysis slightly wrong. "Funny" is complement of the verb "is", not of the subject, although it does of course relate to the subject.

— BillJ

  • My brother is funny .
  • Yes, but you've got the analysis slightly wrong.
  • "Funny" is complement of the verb "is", not of the subject, although it does of course relate to the subject.
  • My brother is a pig .
  • "A pig" is complement of "is".
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2 Answers
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My brother is funny.

Yes, but you've got the analysis slightly wrong. "Funny" is complement of the verb "is", not of the subject, although it does of course relate to the subject.

My brother is a pig.

"A pig" is complement of "is".

Predicative complements (PCs) can be nouns or adjectives, but they are co

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BoSsSy

Can a noun act as complement if it's used with the verb "be"?

For example:

My brother is funny. // Funny here acts as a complement to the subject.

But what about:

My brother is a pig.

Is "a pig" also complementing the subject even though it's a noun?

See

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