Verbs Of Incomplete Predication Worksheet

We have learned that intransitive verbs do not have an object.

• The baby smiled.
• It rained.
• They sang and danced.
• The guests have arrived.

Some intransitive verbs, however, require a word or phrase to complete the predicate. Without this word or phrase the sentence will not make complete sense.  Such verbs which require a word or phrase to complete their meaning are called verbs of incomplete predication.

Examples are: is, am, are, was, were, seem, look, appear, grow, turn, become, taste and smell.

Consider the sentence given below.

• She is.

As we can see, its meaning is not complete. We have to say who she is.

• She is an architect.

Here the noun phrase ‘an architect’ completes the meaning. This word or phrase which completes the predicate is called the complement of the verb.

When the complement of the verb says something about the subject, it is called the subject complement.

• I am a teacher.
• You are my best friend.
• They are tourists.

In the examples given above, the nouns a teacher, my best friend and tourists are all subject complements.

Adjectives can also be used as subject complements.

• He was tired.
• They are excited.
• She was upset.
• The child was terrified.
• I am happy.

Verbs of incomplete predication worksheet

Add appropriate subject complements to complete the verbs of incomplete predication.

1. They are ………………………….

2. He was ………………………

3. It is ……………………………

4. Hitler was ………………………….

5. The children are ………………………….

6. The milk turned ………………………..

7. The leaves turned …………………………

8. He became …………………………….

9. She looked …………………………

10. It seems ………………………..

11. The cake tasted ………………………….

12. He grew ………………………….

Suggested answers

1. They are hungry.

2. He was angry.

3. It is a crow / a pigeon / a parrot.

4. Hitler was a cruel dictator / a ruthless person.

5. The children are excited.

6. The milk turned sour.

7. The leaves turned brown / yellow.

8. He became an actor / a writer / a politician / a doctor.

9. She looked happy / upset / sad / impressed / anxious.

10. It seems possible /impossible /difficult.

11. The cake tasted delicious / wonderful / awful.

12. He grew old / bald.