Most adjectives can be used in the predicative position and in the attributive position but there are a select few adjectives that can only be used in the predicative position.
Predicative-only adjective usually complement the object or the subject.
Below is the list of adjectives that only function predicatively:
- ashamed
- alert
- alive
- ablaze
- abreast
- aghast
- awake
- asleep
- afire
- alike
- aware
- alone
- afraid
- aglow
- afloat
- aloof
- unaware
- fond
- ill
- glad
Did you notice that a lot of predicative-only adjectives begin with A?
Here are some examples, notice the positioning of the adjectives:
- The cat is fond of warm milk at night time.
- Everybody thinks that the girl is aloof from the group.
- He is barely keeping his company afloat.
- She was left alone to work on the project.
- The missing dog was found alive, five miles away from his home.
- I’m glad to have such great friends and family.
- Her mother was ill for a long time, it was very difficult for the family.
There are also a select few adjectives that can only be used attributively. These include:
- only
- main
- chief
- sheer
- principal
- particular
- utter
Here are some examples:
- “You still don’t understand the main point” the teacher told the student.
- The chief ruler of the tribe always has the final say.
- She was in utter shock when she discovered her company was going bankrupt and she would soon be out of a job.
- The only child always felt lonely at home.
- Sharon was the principal earner in her family, without her the family wouldn’t have food on the table or a roof over their heads.