Understanding the difference between subject complements and object complements is crucial for grasping sentence structure. Here’s a clear explanation:
Subject complements
- Definition
- A subject complement is a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and describes or renames the subject of the sentence. Â This will complete the meaning of the clause.
- Linking verbs (e.g., “be,” “become,” “seem,” “appear,” “feel,” “taste”) connect the subject to the complement.
- Function
- It provides additional information about the subject.
- It essentially completes the meaning of the subject.
- Examples
- “She is a teacher.” (“teacher” renames the subject “she”)
- “The soup tastes delicious.” (“delicious” describes the subject “soup”)
- “He became tired.” (“tired” describes the subject “He”)
Object complements
- Definition
- An object complement is a word or phrase that follows a direct object and describes or renames it.
- It provides additional information about the direct object.
- Function
- It completes the meaning of the direct object.
- It tells us something more about the state or condition of the direct object.
- Examples
- “They painted the walls blue.” (“blue” describes the direct object “walls”)
- “We elected him president.” (“president” renames the direct object “him”)
- “She made him happy.” (“happy” describes the direct object “him”)
Key differences summarized
- Subject complements
- Modify or rename the subject.
- Follow linking verbs.
- Object complements
- Modify or rename the direct object.
- Follow direct objects.
How to use them
- Subject complements
- Use them after linking verbs to provide essential information about the subject’s state, identity, or characteristics.
- Object complements
- Use them after a direct object to clarify or complete the meaning of that object, indicating a result or a state that the object is in.
By recognizing and correctly using subject and object complements, you can construct more precise and informative sentences.
