G7-b Select an adjective, not an adverb, to modify a noun or pronoun.
Change an adverb that modifies a noun or a pronoun to an adjective.
subject complement A word or word group that follows a linking verb and describes or restates the subject.
linking verb Be, seem, appear, become, taste, or another verb that connects a subject with a subject complement that describes or modifies it: The chips taste salty.
An adjective generally appears immediately before or after the word it modifies. When an adjective acts as a subject complement, however, it is separated from the word it modifies by a linking verb.
Note: Some verbs (such as looked) act as linking verbs only in certain contexts. When one of these verbs connects a subject and its complement, use an adjective form: She looked ill. However, when the verb expresses an action and is modified by the word that follows it, use an adverb: She looked quickly.
FOR MULTILINGUAL WRITERS
Multilingual writers sometimes have trouble choosing between past and present participles (looked,looking) used as adjectives. See T6 for help in selecting the correct form.