Understanding Complements in Grammar

Complements in grammar are words or groups of words that provide additional information about the subject or object in a sentence. There are two main types of complements: subject complements and object complements. Let’s explore each type in detail and look at examples to better understand their roles in sentences.

Subject Complements

A subject complement is a word or group of words that follow a linking verb and provide more information about the subject. Subject complements can be either predicate nominatives or predicate adjectives.

Predicate Nominatives: These are nouns or pronouns that rename or re-identify the subject. They provide more information about the subject by renaming it.

Example:

• The winner of the contest is Alice.
  • In this sentence, “Alice” is a predicate nominative that renames the subject “winner.”

Predicate Adjectives: These are adjectives that describe or modify the subject. They provide more information about the subject by describing its characteristics.

Example:

• The flowers in the garden smell beautiful.
  • In this sentence, “beautiful” is a predicate adjective that describes the subject “flowers.”

Object Complements

An object complement is a word or group of words that follow and modify the direct object in a sentence. Object complements can be nouns, pronouns, or adjectives that provide additional information about the direct object.

Example:

• The students elected her president.
  • In this sentence, “her” is an object complement that provides more information about the direct object “president.”

Now that we have a basic understanding of subject complements and object complements, let’s delve deeper into how they function in sentences.

Subject Complements in Action

Subject complements are essential in providing clarity and additional details about the subject. They help to complete the meaning of the sentence by offering more information about the subject’s identity or characteristics.

Example:

• The sky turned orange as the sun set.
  • In this sentence, “orange” acts as a subject complement that describes the subject “sky.”

Object Complements Enhancing Meaning

Object complements play a crucial role in enhancing the meaning of the direct object in a sentence. They provide more context and detail to the action performed on the direct object.

Example:

• She painted the walls blue.
  • In this sentence, “blue” functions as an object complement that describes the direct object “walls.”

By understanding the roles of subject complements and object complements, students can improve their sentence construction and convey information more effectively. Practice identifying and using complements in sentences to enhance your writing skills.

Here are some more examples of sentences with subject complements:

1. The cake tastes delicious.
   • In this sentence, “delicious” is a subject complement that describes the subject “cake.”
2. The team became champions.
   • In this sentence, “champions” is a subject complement that renames the subject “team.”
3. His idea seems impossible.
   • In this sentence, “impossible” is a subject complement that describes the subject “idea.”
4. That movie remains popular.
   • In this sentence, “popular” is a subject complement that describes the subject “movie.”
5. The storm grew intense.
   • In this sentence, “intense” is a subject complement that describes the subject “storm.”

I hope these additional examples help clarify how subject complements function in sentences! If you have any more questions or need further examples, feel free to ask.

Here are some more examples of sentences with object complements:

1. They appointed her leader.
   • In this sentence, “leader” is an object complement that provides more information about the direct object “her.”
2. The chef considers the dish perfect.
   • In this sentence, “perfect” is an object complement that describes the direct object “dish.”
3. We elected him captain.
   • In this sentence, “captain” is an object complement that renames the direct object “him.”
4. She painted the house red.
   • In this sentence, “red” is an object complement that describes the direct object “house.”
5. The teacher found the student’s answer inaccurate.
   • In this sentence, “inaccurate” is an object complement that provides more information about the direct object “answer.”

I hope these additional examples help illustrate how object complements work in sentences! If you need more examples or have any other questions, feel free to let me know.