§284. Predicate Noun or Adjective

A Predicate Noun or Adjective after the copula sum or a copulative verb is in the same case as the Subject:—

• pācis semper auctor fuī; (Lig. 28), I have always been an adviser of peace.
• quae pertinācia quibusdam, eadem aliīs cōnstantia vidērī potest (Marc. 31), what may seem obstinacy to some, may seem to others consistency.
• êius mortis sedētis ultōrēs (Mil. 79), you sit as avengers of his death.
• habeātur vir ēgregius Paulus (Cat. 4.21), let Paulus be regarded as an extraordinary man.
• ego patrōnus exstitī; (Rosc. Am. 5), I have come forward as an advocate.
• dīcit nōn omnīs bonōs esse beātōs, he says that not all good men are happy.

a. A predicate noun referring to two or more singular nouns is in the plural:—

• cōnsulēs creantur Caesar et Servīlius (B. C. 3.1), Cæsar and Servilius are elected consuls.

b. Sum in the sense of exist makes a complete predicate without a predicate noun or adjective. It is then called the substantive verb:—

• sunt virī fortēs, there are (exist) brave men. [Cf. vīxēre fortēs ante Agamemnona (Hor. Od. 4.9.25), brave men lived before Agamemnon.]

For Predicate Accusative and Predicate Ablative, see §§ 392, 415. N.

Agreement of Adjectives