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Complement

Phonetics:

kɒmplɪment

Pronunciation:

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Complements: The Essential Elements of English Grammar

Comprehensive Definition, Description, Examples & Rules 

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Introduction to Complements

Complements in English grammar are essential components that complete the meaning of a sentence. They provide additional information about the subject or object, enhancing our understanding of the main idea. Complements can take the form of nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and prepositional phrases. Studying complements helps improve sentence structure and effective communication. Understanding complements is crucial for developing a strong foundation in English grammar.

The complement of sentence is crucial for its structure, providing essential information that completes the verb or subject meaning. They come in various forms like noun phrases, adjective phrases, and prepositional phrases, depending on their role. Complements add details to subjects, objects, locations, or time. They improve clarity, precision, and linguistic depth in writing. Understanding complements is vital for constructing grammatically correct and contextually rich sentences.

Types of Complements

Understanding different types of complements, such as direct object complements, subject complements, infinitive complements, and more, will empower you to construct sentences that are grammatically accurate and linguistically impactful.

Subject Complements

Subject complements, following a linking verb, offer supplementary information about the subject in a sentence. They complement the subject by either renaming it or describing it. Here are a few examples of subject complements:

  • Predicate Nominative: When the subject complement renames or identifies the subject.

  • Example: She is a teacher. 

  • Predicate Adjective: When the subject complement describes the subject.

  • Example: The flowers are beautiful. 

  • Direct Object: Sometimes, a direct object can function as a subject complement, particularly with verbs like “make,” “name,” “elect,” etc.

  • Example: They made him captain. 

  • Indirect Object: Similar to direct objects, indirect objects can also act as subject complements in certain situations.

  • Example: They appointed her leader. 

Subject complements encompass predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives, which complete the meaning of a subject. Predicate nominatives, typically nouns or pronouns, follow linking verbs and rename or identify the subject, equating it to a noun or pronoun in the predicate. Conversely, predicate adjectives describe or modify the subject, offering details about its characteristics or state. While a predicate nominative renames, a predicate adjective adds descriptive information. Recognizing these dissimilarities is vital for comprehending subject complements and utilizing them proficiently in writing.

  • Look for linking verbs such as “be,” “become,” “seem,” “appear,” “feel,” “look,” “sound,” “taste,” and “smell.” These verbs connect the subject to the complement.

  • Pay attention to the meaning conveyed by the linking verb. Subject complements often describe or rename the subject.

  • Identify nouns or pronouns that follow the linking verb and refer back to the subject. These can be subject complements.

Object Complements

Within the domain of grammar, object complements hold significant importance in shaping sentence structure and furnishing supplementary details regarding the direct object. An object complement is a word, phrase, or clause that follows the direct object and further describes or renames it. Essentially, it completes the meaning of the object. Object complements can take various forms, including adjectives, nouns, pronouns, or even full clauses.

  • They elected him president.
  • We consider the movie a masterpiece.
  • She painted the wall blue.
  • I find the book captivating.

Object complements provide crucial information about direct or indirect objects in grammar, aiding in clear communication. Differentiating between direct and indirect object complements is important. Direct object complements (nouns, pronouns, or adjectives) offer additional descriptions for the direct object, while indirect object complements (also nouns, pronouns, or adjectives) clarify or characterize the indirect object. Direct object complements emphasize the direct object, while indirect object complements enhance the indirect object, adding depth to the meaning. Understanding these distinctions improves linguistic skills and sentence effectiveness.

  • They typically follow the direct object and modify or complete its meaning.

  • Object complements often answer the question “What?” or “Whom?” after the verb and direct object.

  • Look for verbs that can take object complements. Common examples include “consider,” “name,” “make,” “appoint,” “declare,” “elect,” “call,” “paint,” “choose,” and “find.”

  • Object complements can be nouns, pronouns, adjectives, or prepositional phrases.

Adverbial Complements

Adverbial complements are a type of complement that provides additional information about the action or state described by the verb in a sentence. They typically answer questions such as how, when, where, why, or to what extent. Adverbial complements can be single words, phrases, or even entire clauses. Here are some examples of adverbial complements:

  • She walked to the park.
  • The team played with great enthusiasm.
  • He worked diligently throughout the night.
  • They shouted in excitement.

Adverbial complements and adverbial phrases are distinct elements in sentence construction. They provide additional details about the action or state expressed by a verb. Adverbial complements are necessary to complete the meaning of the verb and typically follow specific verbs. They answer questions like “where,” “when,” or “how.” Adverbial phrases, on the other hand, function as adverbs and modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They are more flexible in sentence placement and not essential for conveying a complete thought. Understanding these differences allows writers to enhance sentence precision and clarity.

  • Adverbial complements modify the verb in a sentence and provide additional information about the action or state expressed by the verb.

  • Look for words or phrases that answer the questions “how,” “when,” “where,” “why,” or “to what extent” in relation to the verb. These words or phrases often indicate the presence of an adverbial complement.

  • Adverbial complements can be single words (adverbs) or groups of words (adverbial phrases).

Nominal Complements

Nominal complements are crucial for sentence structure, adding information and completing the meaning of a noun or pronoun. They describe or identify the subject or object, acting as modifiers. Complements can be adjectives, nouns, or phrases, offering additional details to enhance understanding.

  • She is a talented singer.
  • The cake tastes delicious.
  • The flowers smell fragrant.
  • The cat seems playful.

Nominal complements and noun phrases are both essential components of a sentence, but they serve different grammatical functions. A nominal complement, as the name suggests, complements or completes a sentence’s subject or object by providing additional information about it. It typically follows linking verbs such as “be,” “seem,” or “become.” In contrast, a noun phrase refers to a group of words centered around a noun and functions as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. While both structures involve nouns, the key distinction lies in their role within the sentence.

  • They often follow a linking verb, such as “be,” “seem,” “become,” or “appear,” and they complete the meaning of the subject.

  • When identifying a nominal complement, focus on words or phrases that answer the questions “What?” or “Whom?” after the linking verb.

  • Common types of nominal complements include nouns, pronouns, adjective phrases, noun phrases, and clauses.

Adjectival Complements

Adjectival complements, also known as predicate adjectives or subject complements, are an essential component of a sentence that provides further information about the subject or object. They serve to complete the meaning of a verb or a linking verb by describing or modifying the subject. Adjectival complements often appear after linking verbs such as “be,” “seem,” “appear,” “become,” and “feel.” Here are a few examples of adjectival complements:

  • The soup smells delicious.
  • The rose petals feel velvety.
  • She seems happy.
  • The painting looks mesmerizing.

When exploring the nuances of adjectives, it is crucial to distinguish between adjectival complements and adjective phrases. While both contribute to describing a noun, they differ in their grammatical structure and function. Adjective phrases consist of an adjective and any accompanying words or modifiers, functioning as a single unit to modify a noun. On the other hand, adjectival complements are phrases or clauses that follow a linking verb and provide further information about the subject or object. 

  • Look for linking verbs such as “be,” “seem,” “become,” “appear,” “remain,” and “feel.” These verbs connect the subject to the complement.

  • Adjectival complements often describe or modify the subject, indicating its state or condition.

  • Adjectival complements answer the question “What?” or “How?” about the subject of the sentence.

Infinitive Complements

Infinitive complements play a crucial role in sentence construction by providing additional information about the main verb. They are formed using the base form of a verb (infinitive) and are used to complete the meaning of certain verbs or phrases. Here are some examples of infinitive complements in action:

  • She wants to learn how to play the guitar.
  • They planned to go on a trip to relax.
  • They plan to visit their grandparents this weekend.
  • I need to finish my homework before going out.


Infinitive complements and infinitive phrases are two grammatical constructions that involve the use of infinitive verbs. Nevertheless, they possess unique attributes that differentiate them. An infinitive complement is a structure where an infinitive verb is used as the direct object of another verb or as a complement to a noun or an adjective. It functions to complete the meaning of the main verb or the modifier. On the other hand, an infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive verb along with any accompanying modifiers, adverbs, or objects.

  • Look for a base form of a verb (infinitive) after another verb, such as “to,” followed by the base form of the verb (e.g., to run, to eat, to read).

  • Pay attention to verbs that require a second verb to complete their meaning, known as verb patterns. Common examples include “want to,” “need to,” “like to,” “plan to,” “decide to,” etc.

  • Notice phrases where the base form of the verb acts as a direct object, subject, or complement to another verb or noun.

Gerund Complements

Gerund complements are verb phrases that follow certain verbs and act as their direct objects. They consist of a gerund, which is a verb form ending in “-ing,” and any accompanying modifiers or objects. Gerund complements help to provide additional information or complete the meaning of the main verb. Here are a few examples to illustrate the concept:

  • They started practicing playing the guitar.
  • He admitted to stealing the cookies from the jar.
  • We can’t resist dancing to our favorite songs.
  • The children love painting pictures.

In the realm of language and grammar, gerunds are versatile forms that can function as both complements and phrases. While they may seem similar at first glance, there are notable differences between gerund complements and gerund phrases. A gerund complement serves as a direct object to a verb, completing its meaning and answering the question “what?” or “whom?” On the other hand, a gerund phrase is a group of words centered around a gerund that functions as a noun in a sentence. It includes the gerund itself along with its modifiers, objects, or complements.

  • Look for a verb form ending in “-ing” that functions as a noun in the sentence.

  • Pay attention to verbs that are followed by the “-ing” form without the word “to” before it.

  • Notice when the verb form ending in “-ing” is the direct object of another verb in the sentence.

Participial Complements

Participial complements are verb complements that consist of a participle (either past or present) used to provide additional information about the subject or object of a sentence.

They function as adjectives or adverbs and can be used to describe the state, condition, or action of the subject or object.

Participial complements often modify nouns and pronouns and are commonly used to add detail and specificity to a sentence.

  • The child, exhausted from playing all day, fell asleep quickly.

  • The cake, baked to perfection, won first prize in the competition.

  • She entered the room, dressed in a stunning red gown.

Participial complements and participial phrases are two distinct grammatical structures that share similarities but have important differences. A participial complement is a verb complement that consists of a participle, either in its present (-ing) or past (-eform, followed by an object. It functions to complete the meaning of a verb and provides additional information about the subject or object. On the other hand, a participial phrase is a phrase that begins with a participle and includes modifiers, objects, or other elements. 

  • Look for verbs that are followed by an -ing or -ed form of a verb (participle) in the sentence.

  • Identify the subject of the sentence. Participial complements often describe the subject or provide additional information about it.

  • Determine if the participle is functioning as an adjective or adverb. Participial complements can modify a noun or a verb.

Complements and Verb Tense

Complements are essential for verb tense formation and conveying precise temporal information. They provide additional details about the subject or object, directly influencing the verb tense used. Verb tenses indicate when an action occurs, and complements clarify and expand on this temporal context. By specifying the state, condition, or result of an action, complements allow accurate expression of various verb tenses. Without complements, verb tenses lack depth and precision, hindering the conveyance of intended meaning and temporal relationships. Understanding complements’ role in verb tense formation is crucial for effective communication in English.

Simple Present Tense:

  • He is a doctor. (subject complement)
  • She finds the movie entertaining. (object complement)

Simple Past Tense:

  • The cake tasted delicious. (subject complement)
  • We elected him president. (object complement)

Present Continuous Tense:

  • They are becoming good friends. (subject complement)
  • He feels like he is wasting time. (object complement)

Past Continuous Tense:

  • We caught them snooping around. (object complement)
  • The team was considering different options. (subject complement)

Present Perfect Tense:

  • He has become an expert in his field. (subject complement)
  • They have made us proud. (object complement)

Past Perfect Tense:

  • He realized he had lost his wallet. (subject complement)
  • We had seen the movie already. (object complement)

Future Tense:

  • They will find the answer soon. (subject complement)
  • We will appoint her as the team leader. (object complement)

Future Continuous Tense:

  • He will be studying for his exams all night. (subject complement)
  • We will be watching the game on TV. (object complement)

Present Perfect Continuous Tense:

  • She has been feeling unwell for a few days. (subject complement)
  • I have been considering their offer. (object complement)

Past Perfect Continuous Tense:

  • We realized they had been lying to us all along. (object complement)
  • She had been practicing the piano for months. (subject complement)

Common Errors with Complements

One common mistake is mistakenly using an object complement where a subject complement should be used, or vice versa. Understanding the distinction between these two types of complements is essential for constructing grammatically correct sentences.

Another error is placing subject and object complements in the wrong positions within a sentence. Subject complements should follow linking verbs, while object complements typically follow direct objects. Misplacing these complements can lead to confusion and grammatical errors.

Complements and adjuncts are components of a sentence that provide additional information but serve distinct purposes in grammar. Complements are essential elements that complete the meaning of a verb, adjective, or noun, while adjuncts are optional and provide extra details to enhance the sentence.

The Complement of a Sentence

The complement of sentence is a grammatical element that completes the meaning of the main subject or verb. It provides essential information or adds details that are necessary for the sentence to make sense. Complements can be classified into different types based on their function within a sentence.

Direct object complement:

  • She considers her sister a role model.

Subject complement:

  • He became a professional athlete.

Object complement:

  • They painted the room blue.

The complement of a sentence is crucial for understanding its meaning and structure. It provides essential information, completes the predicate, and enhances comprehension. Identifying the complement helps analyze sentence relationships and facilitates effective communication. Recognizing the complement improves language interpretation and fosters meaningful conversations.

  • Identify the verb in the sentence.
  • Determine the type of complement that completes the verb.
  • Intransitive verbs do not have complements.
  • Transitive verbs require a direct object complement to complete their meaning.
  • Linking verbs are followed by subject complements or object complements.
  • Passive voice sentences have subject complements that provide information about the subject.
complement infographic

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Key Takeaways

  1. Complements in English grammar are words, phrases, or clauses that complete the meaning of a verb, subject, or object in a sentence.

  2. Direct object complements provide additional information about the direct object of a sentence.

  1. Subject complements follow linking verbs and provide information about the subject.

  2. Object complements rename or describe the direct object of a sentence.

  3. Infinitive complements are formed using the base form of a verb preceded by “to” and can function as objects, subject complements, or adverbial complements.

  4. Gerund complements are formed using the “-ing” form of a verb and can serve as objects or subject complements.

  5. Adverbial complements provide additional information about the verb and often involve prepositional phrases or other adverbial constructions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify a complement in a sentence?
  • To identify a complement in a sentence, you need to look for words or phrases that complete the meaning of the verb, subject, or object.
What are the different types of complements in English grammar?

The different types of complements in English grammar include direct objects, subject complements, object complements, infinitive complements, gerund complements, and adverbial complements.

What is a predicate complement?

A predicate complement is a complement that follows a linking verb and offers extra information concerning the subject.

Can a complement be a phrase instead of a single word?

Yes, a complement can be a phrase instead of a single word. Phrases such as noun phrases, adjective phrases, or prepositional phrases can function as complements.

Is a complement always necessary in a sentence?

A complement is not always necessary in a sentence. Some sentences can be complete without a complement, especially those with intransitive verbs.

Can a sentence have more than one complement?

Yes, a sentence can have more than one complement. For example, a sentence with a transitive verb can have a direct object complement and an adverbial complement.

Are there any exercises or activities to help me understand complements better?

To better understand complements, you can engage in exercises or activities. Edulyte’s worksheet on complements can be a useful resource to practice identifying and using different types of complements in sentences.

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