Introduction:-
A complement in grammar is a clause, word, or phrase that is required to explain the object or subject of a sentence. Complements generally follow linking verbs, which show link rather than action. Let’s explore the different types of complements, as well as how to spot them in a sentence.
What is subject complement?
Subject complements can be adjective, a noun, a single word, or a group of words that works like an adjective or noun. Subject complements can be additional broken down into predicate nominatives and predicate objectives.
Easy examples of subject complements:-
- They made her a star.
- She called me a lair.
- I consider hang-gliding risky.
Types of subject complements:-
A subject complement is either a noun or an adjective.
- Predicate nominative.
- Predicative objective.
Predicate nominative:-
A predicate nominative is a noun phrase or a noun that renames the subject of a sentence. Since it completes the meaning of a subject, we call it a subject complement.
Examples:-
- Jane will be a stunning mother. (Jane = a stunning mother).
- Ricky Pointing was my idol (Ricky Pointing = my idol).
Predictive adjective:-
A predicate adjective is an adjective phrase or adjective that identifies the subject and modifies it.
Examples:-
- They are beautiful. (They = beautiful).
- The food smells terrible (The food = terrible).
What is objective complement?
An object complement is also known as objective complement follows a direct objective. It may be phrase or word that provides further meaning to be direct object. In a sense, it describes what the direct object has become.
- An object complement can be pronoun, noun or adjective.
Easy examples of objective complement:-
- He made her happy.
- I found the guard sleeping.
- He makes me very sad.
What is difference between complement and objective?
An object is a noun equivalent or a noun denoting the goal or outcome of the action of a verb whereas complement is a phrase, noun or clause that includes extra information about the object or subject. So, this is the important difference between complement and objective. Additional, there are two key types of objects as indirect and direct objects whereas there are two key types of complements as object and subject complements. An object can be gerund, noun, clause, pronoun whereas complement can be a noun, adjective, pronoun, or any other groups of words or words that can work as an adjective or noun. So, this is another difference between complement and objective.
How should object complements works as nouns:-
A noun object complement can be a phrase or a single word.
Ali named John the new assistant.
- John is the direct object.
- The new assistant is the object compliment.
- The new assistant is a noun phrase.
- The new assistant is what Ali, the direct object has become.
How should Object Complements works as Adjectives:-
An adjective object complement can be a single phrase or a word.
We considered him valuable.
- “Him” is an adjective.
- “Valuable” is the object compliment.
- “Valuable” is the adjective.
- “Valuable” is what he, the direct object, has become.
How should object complements works as pronouns:-
They pick the candidate who was brilliant.
- “The candidate” is a direct object.
- “Who was brilliant” is an object compliment.
- “Who was brilliant” is what the candidate, the direct objective, has become.
End words:-
Complement and object are two of the 5 key elements of a sentence. The important difference between complement and objective is that an object is a noun or noun equivalent denoting the aim or outcome of the action of an herb whereas compliment is a phrase, noun, or clause that includes extra information about the object or subject.