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Object Complement
Phonetics:
ɒbdʒɪkt
kɒmplɪment
Pronunciation:
Unlocking Expression: Mastering Object Complements in English Grammar
Comprehensive Definition, Description, Examples & Rules
An object complement is a predicative expression that follows the direct object of a verb that complements the object directly by describing what is most crucial in the object complements predicate, which is renamed the direct object.
It is a noun, pronoun, and adjective that follow the direct object to rename it or what it becomes.
Object complement example
- “Smith cleared the exam sharply—here “exam” is a direct object and sharply is “complement”.
- They elected him as leader.
- She called him a genius.
- They named the baby “smith”.
Role of objective complement in sentence structure
A crucial role in the structure of a sentence is that it follows verbs that require a direct object, helps to modify the object, and also provides additional information about the direct object with clarity.
For example,
- He painted his room white
Importance of object complement
An object complement is crucial to structuring any sentence properly; it also has to convey confined meaning and provide a proper description and additional information about the direct object. It adds clarity to the sentence by highlighting the compliment related to the object in the sentence. It provides a better understanding of a sentence for the reader.
Understanding object complement in English
It provides descriptive information about the direct object; the objective complement can be an adjective, noun, or noun phrase.
Constituent of the object complement
A constituent object complement is required to structure the sentence. A verb that requires a direct object and can directly modify it is the basic constituent of objective complement, which is also the core element of objective complement.
- The function of the object complement in an English sentence
- It provides additional information about the object and provides compliments about the direct object.
- It also follows a transitive verb; here the direct object becomes the recipient of verb actions and gives perfect meaning to the object complement.
- Relationship between an object compliment and a direct object:
- There is a strong relationship between the object complement and the direct object. The direct object receives the action of the verb, and the object complement describes additional information about the direct object.
For example,
- “Her paintings are extremely wonderful”
Here the painting is the direct object, which receives the action of the verb “painting” and has “wonderful” as a compliment, which provides additional information about the direct object.
Types of object complement
There are two types of object complements: predicated adjectives and predicate nouns. As an object complement, a predicate adjective is an adjective that follows the linking verb and provides additional information about direct objects.
Predicate Adjective
When used as the object complement of a predicate adjective, it always carries information about direct objects.
for example
- He made his best friend happy.
In this sentence, “Happy” is a predicate adjective, which is an object complement as well because it describes the direct object and provides additional information about it.
- She enjoys watching the stars shining brightly at night.
Here “shining brightly” is an adjective for object complement, which provides additional information about direct object stars.
Predicate noun as an object complement.
In this noun, follow a linking verb and identify the direct object.
For example
- The Taj Mahal is the beauty of Agra, India.
In this sentence, the “beauty of Agra” is a known object complement, where it identifies the subject “Taj Mahal” and India,” providing additional information about the subject and describing its quality as well.
- Michael loves the dog as her pet animal.
And this sentence, “Her pet animal,” is a noun object complement, which specifies the importance of a direct object where the “dog” provides additional information about it.
Object-complement placement
It recognises the direct object in a sentence and carries additional and descriptive information about the direct object. What is most important is the placement of the object complement, which helps to provide a basic structure to the sentence and maintain clarity as well.
Guidelines for placement of object complements:
you are required to place the object complement immediately after the direct object.
For example
- She is a talented singer.
- Her painting is wonderful.
- His voice has charm.
Multiple object complements are required to maintain order.
For example
- She is the perfect housewife and businesswoman.
- He has a great interest in cricket, and he plays very well.
In sentences with adverbs, you are required to place the object complement after them.
For example
- He finalised the work with patience.
- He carefully observed the stars with a microscope.
Object-complement example
Here you can find Various sentences demonstrating object complement in different contexts, with a breakdown and analysis of each example to understand the role and functions of object complement.
Her painting is wonderful.
- Direct object: painting
- Object complement: Wonderful
- Analysis: Wonderful describes direct object “painting” and indicates quality.
His voice is amazing.
- Direct object: voice
- Object complement: Amazing
- Analysis: complement “amazing,” describe the voice,” and provide additional information.
She has a pet dog.
- Direct object: dog
- Object complement: a pet
- Analysis: object complement “a pet,” describe the direct object “dog,” and provide additional information.
They elected him as a leader.
- Direct object: him
- Object complement: leader
- Analysis: object complement “Leader”: describe the direct object “him” and provide additional information about it.
He got selected in his interview.
- Direct object: his
- Object complement (in the interview)
- Analysis: object complement “interview” and describe the direct object” his” and provide additional information about it.
He wants to visit his dream city in Australia.
- Direct object: City
- Object complement: his dream
- Analysis: The object complements “his dream,” describes the direct object “city,” and provides additional information about it.
Object Complements vs. Subject Complements
Object complement:
They provide additional information about the direct object.
Example:
She loves herself (love herself, object complement).
- They find the task challenging (challenging is an object complement).
- He loves the cricket team of Australia (love is an object complement).
Subject complement
It provides additional information about the subject, which appears after the subject.
For example
- He is a singer (the subject complement is a doctor).
- She is a professor (the subject complement is professor).
- He purchased a brand new car (subject complement: brand new car).
Comparison between subjective and objective complements
There is a basic difference between object complement and subject complement. Where object complement provides additional information about the direct object, subject complement provides information about the subject and follows the linking verb after the subject.
Object complement
- She considers him a hero.
Subject complement:
- He is a hero.
Object complement
- They kept their baby’s name, Michelle.
Subject complement
- “Baby is Michelle.”
Common errors
- Incorrect—he discovered creamy in the room.
- Correct; he found the room creamy.
Sometimes the confusion between object complement and subject complement made the whole sentence false.
- Incorrect; he is a talented
- Correct is talented.
Tips to avoid and correct mistakes
You are required to understand the role and importance of the object complement in a sentence. You are also required to practice structuring sentences, proofreading, and revising your content. You are also required to pay attention to the relationship between verb and direct object. You can also go through various websites that provide detailed information about object complements in brief, like Edulyte’s.
You should create examples for yourself for better clarity, and you should attempt various tests and worksheets for better understanding at a practical level.
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Key Takeaways
- Objective complement is core for any sentence which provides basic structure to the sentence.
- Object complement provides additional information about direct objects. There is an adjective object complement as well which provides descriptive information about the object.
- There are two types of object complement : predicate adjective and predicate noun objective complement.
- There is a huge difference between subjective and objective complement.
- You should avoid common mistakes while understanding this topic,you can have better understanding over the object complement by following this article.
Quiz
Question comes here
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes , a noun can play a role as an object complement by having connection and link with a direct object.
- They named the baby Michelle.
- He played cricket professionally.
- He is a genius student in the class.
The adjective provides additional information about the object complement.
For example
- She found this book interesting (object complement: interesting).
Nouns modify direct objects and can be used as object complements.
They select him for an interview (object complement) and select him.
You are required to follow the direct object in the sentence.
A major common error is misplacing and getting confused between subject and object complement.
