What is an “objective complement”?: Difference between revisions

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An '''objective complement''' is a noun, pronoun or adjective that follows a '''direct object''' and further describes what the object is. The sentence must contain a direct object which can be identified by being the one that is receiving the action in a sentence.  They follow verbs such as call, make, name and think.
An objective complement is an adjective, noun, or group of words that acts as an adjective or noun which modifies the [[object]] of a sentence.  


== The Rules ==


'''Identifying Objects'''


== Identifying objective complements ==
*A direct object is a noun or pronoun that follows a [[transitive verb]] and completes its meaning.
*An indirect object receives the direct object.


'''An easy way to identify an objective complement, say the verb and the direct object, then ask what.'''<ref>http://tx.english-ch.com/teacher/mar/level-b/complements-objective-complements</ref>
'''Modifying an Object'''


== Examples ==
*Whereas a [[subject complement]] modifies the subject of a sentence, an object complement only modifies an object.
**Verbs which have to do with perceiving, judging or changing something typically cause their direct objects to take on object complements


    1.  Billy named his dog Spot.
== Usage ==
        The '''objective complement''' is Spot which describes what the direct object, the dog, was named.


    2.  The voters elected Bill Davis mayor.
'''Object Complement'''
        The '''objective complement''' is mayor which further describes the position that the direct object, Bill Davis, was elected to.


    3.  If you elect me president, I'll keep the unions satisfied.<ref>http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/complements/</ref>
=== Example 1 ===
        There are two objective complements in this sentence.  '''President''' describes the elected position while '''satisfied''' refers to the unions.


== Notes ==
The student body voted Lucy <u>prom queen</u>.
<references>http://tx.english-ch.com/teacher/mar/level-b/complements-objective-complements/</references>


== Links ==
*"Lucy" is the direct object of the sentence, "voted" is the transitive verb, and "prom queen" is the object complement as it modifies the direct object "Lucy".
[http://tx.english-ch.com/teacher/mar/level-b/complements-objective-complements/ Objective complements]


[http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/objects.htm Direct object]]
=== Example 2 ===


== References ==
The drug will keep your body <u>healthy</u>.
1. "Complements: Objective Complements."  Objective complements. English channel, 2011. Web 7 Nov 2013. <http://tx.english-ch.com/teacher/mar/level-b/complements-objective-complements/>.


2. "Predecates, Objects, Complements." Direct and Indirect objects. Capital Community College Foundation, n.d. Web 7 Nov 2013. <http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/objects.htm>.
*"Your body" is the direct object of the transitive verb "keep", and "healthy" is the object compliment as it refers to the direct object "your body".


3. "Object complements." Grammar Handbook: Complements. The Center for Writing Studies, University of Illinois, 2013. Web 7 Nov 2013. <http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/complements/>.
'''Subject Compliment'''
 
[[Subject complements]] are similar to an object compliments as they perform essentially the same function: modifying a noun or pronoun within a [[sentence]]. However, subject compliments modify or refer to a sentence's subject only.  
 
=== Example  ===
 
Lucy became the <u>prom queen</u>.
 
*In this case, "became" functions as a [[linking verb]] and not a transitive one; because there is no object one cannot be modified. The complement "prom queen" refers to the subject "Lucy", and is therefore a subject compliment.
 
== External Links ==
 
[http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/complements/ Grammar Handbook: Complements]
 
[http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/objcompl.html Objects and Compliments]

Revision as of 14:33, 7 November 2013

An objective complement is an adjective, noun, or group of words that acts as an adjective or noun which modifies the object of a sentence.

The Rules

Identifying Objects

  • A direct object is a noun or pronoun that follows a transitive verb and completes its meaning.
  • An indirect object receives the direct object.

Modifying an Object

  • Whereas a subject complement modifies the subject of a sentence, an object complement only modifies an object.
    • Verbs which have to do with perceiving, judging or changing something typically cause their direct objects to take on object complements

Usage

Object Complement

Example 1

The student body voted Lucy prom queen.

  • "Lucy" is the direct object of the sentence, "voted" is the transitive verb, and "prom queen" is the object complement as it modifies the direct object "Lucy".

Example 2

The drug will keep your body healthy.

  • "Your body" is the direct object of the transitive verb "keep", and "healthy" is the object compliment as it refers to the direct object "your body".

Subject Compliment

Subject complements are similar to an object compliments as they perform essentially the same function: modifying a noun or pronoun within a sentence. However, subject compliments modify or refer to a sentence's subject only.

Example

Lucy became the prom queen.

  • In this case, "became" functions as a linking verb and not a transitive one; because there is no object one cannot be modified. The complement "prom queen" refers to the subject "Lucy", and is therefore a subject compliment.

External Links

Grammar Handbook: Complements

Objects and Compliments

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