Select the linking verb and the predicate noun or predicate adjective in the following sentence: "My dog Scooter is an obedient companion; he always comes when called and stays when commanded."

Answer

First, identify the linking verb in the main clause of the sentence. A linking verb connects the subject to a word that describes or renames it. In the first part of the sentence, 'My dog Scooter is an obedient companion,' the word 'is' acts as the linking verb. Second, identify the predicate noun or predicate adjective following the linking verb. A predicate noun (also called a nominative) follows a linking verb and renames the subject. The noun 'companion' renames the subject 'Scooter.' Therefore, the linking verb is 'is' and the predicate noun is 'companion.' Note that 'obedient' is an adjective modifying the noun 'companion' within the predicate phrase.