Understanding verb complements is crucial for constructing grammatically correct and meaningful sentences in English. Verb complements provide essential information about the subject or object of a verb, completing its meaning and adding depth to your communication.
This comprehensive guide explains the different types of verb complements, their functions, and how to use them effectively. Whether you’re a student, a language learner, or simply someone looking to improve your writing skills, this article will provide you with the knowledge and practice you need to master verb complements and enhance your overall command of the English language.
Table of Contents
- Definition of Verb Complements
- Structural Breakdown
- Types of Verb Complements
- Examples of Verb Complements
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition of Verb Complements
A verb complement is a word, phrase, or clause that is necessary to complete the meaning of a verb. Unlike verb modifiers, which add extra information but are not essential, verb complements are integral to the sentence’s structure and meaning. They provide crucial details about the subject or object, specifying who or what is receiving the action or being described. Verb complements can take various forms, including nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, phrases, and clauses, depending on the type of verb and the intended meaning of the sentence.
Verb complements are essential for clarity and precision in writing. They ensure that the verb’s action is fully understood and that the relationships between the subject, verb, and other sentence elements are clear.
Without verb complements, many sentences would be incomplete or ambiguous, leaving the reader unsure of the intended meaning. Therefore, mastering verb complements is a fundamental aspect of mastering English grammar.
Structural Breakdown
The structure of a sentence with a verb complement typically follows a subject-verb-complement pattern. However, the specific arrangement can vary depending on the type of complement.
Understanding these structural patterns is crucial for identifying and using verb complements correctly.
Here’s a breakdown of the common structural elements:
- Subject: The person, place, thing, or idea that performs the action of the verb.
- Verb: The action or state of being.
- Complement: The word, phrase, or clause that completes the meaning of the verb.
The position of the complement depends on its type. Direct objects usually follow the verb directly, while indirect objects come before the direct object.
Subject complements follow linking verbs, and object complements follow the direct object. Prepositional complements are introduced by a preposition and follow the verb or object they modify.
Adverbial complements usually come at the end of the sentence or clause.
Types of Verb Complements
Verb complements can be categorized into several types, each with its own function and structural characteristics.
Direct Objects
A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of a transitive verb. It answers the question “Whom?” or “What?” after the verb. Transitive verbs *require* a direct object to complete their meaning.
Example: The cat chased the mouse. (What did the cat chase? The mouse.)
Indirect Objects
An indirect object is a noun or pronoun that indicates to whom or for whom the action of the verb is performed. It comes before the direct object and answers the question “To whom?” or “For whom?”
Example: She gave him the book. (To whom did she give the book? To him.)
Subject Complements
A subject complement is a noun, pronoun, or adjective (also called a predicate nominative or predicate adjective) that follows a linking verb and describes or identifies the subject of the sentence. Linking verbs connect the subject to the complement rather than expressing an action. Common linking verbs include be (is, are, was, were), seem, become, appear, look, feel, taste, smell, and sound.
Example: She is a doctor. (Doctor identifies the subject, “she.”)
Object Complements
An object complement is a noun or adjective that follows the direct object and describes or renames it. It completes the meaning of the verb by providing additional information about the direct object.
Example: They painted the house blue. (Blue describes the house, which is the direct object.)
Prepositional Complements
A prepositional complement is a phrase that begins with a preposition and modifies the verb. It acts as an adverbial modifier, providing information about location, time, manner, or reason.
Example: She relied on her friends for support. (The prepositional phrase “on her friends” complements the verb “relied.”)
Adverbial Complements
An adverbial complement functions similarly to an adverb, providing additional information about the verb. It can be a single adverb or an adverbial phrase. Adverbial complements are often essential components of the sentence and cannot be removed without altering the sentence’s core meaning.
Example: He put the book there. (The adverb “there” is an adverbial complement specifying the location.)
Examples of Verb Complements
To further illustrate the different types of verb complements, here are several examples organized by category:
Direct Object Examples
The following table provides examples of sentences using direct objects.
| Sentence | Direct Object |
|---|---|
| The dog ate the bone. | the bone |
| She reads novels every night. | novels |
| He kicked the ball. | the ball |
| They built a house. | a house |
| I wrote a letter. | a letter |
| We watched the movie. | the movie |
| She plays the guitar. | the guitar |
| He drives a car. | a car |
| They sell books. | books |
| I need help. | help |
| She wants coffee. | coffee |
| He loves music. | music |
| They enjoy parties. | parties |
| I like ice cream. | ice cream |
| We bought tickets. | tickets |
| The artist painted a portrait. | a portrait |
| The chef cooked dinner. | dinner |
| The student answered the question. | the question |
| The company launched a new product. | a new product |
| The gardener planted flowers. | flowers |
| The musician composed a symphony. | a symphony |
| The author wrote a novel. | a novel |
| The teacher taught lessons. | lessons |
| The doctor examined the patient. | the patient |
| The engineer designed a bridge. | a bridge |
Indirect Object Examples
The following table provides examples of sentences using indirect objects.
| Sentence | Indirect Object | Direct Object |
|---|---|---|
| She gave him the book. | him | the book |
| He told her a story. | her | a story |
| They sent us a package. | us | a package |
| I bought my mother flowers. | my mother | flowers |
| We showed them the house. | them | the house |
| She lent me her car. | me | her car |
| He offered her a drink. | her | a drink |
| They gave the dog a bone. | the dog | a bone |
| I read my son a book. | my son | a book |
| We built our children a treehouse. | our children | a treehouse |
| The teacher gave the students homework. | the students | homework |
| The chef cooked the guests dinner. | the guests | dinner |
| The company offered the employees benefits. | the employees | benefits |
| The artist painted the gallery a mural. | the gallery | a mural |
| The writer sent the publisher the manuscript. | the publisher | the manuscript |
| The musician played the audience a song. | the audience | a song |
| The store offered customers a discount. | customers | a discount |
| The librarian lent the patron a book. | the patron | a book |
| The charity gave the needy food. | the needy | food |
| The government provided citizens assistance. | citizens | assistance |
| The university awarded students scholarships. | students | scholarships |
| The museum showed visitors artifacts. | visitors | artifacts |
| The organization gave members resources. | members | resources |
Subject Complement Examples
The following table provides examples of sentences using subject complements.
| Sentence | Linking Verb | Subject Complement |
|---|---|---|
| She is a teacher. | is | a teacher |
| He seems happy. | seems | happy |
| They are students. | are | students |
| It became dark. | became | dark |
| The food tastes delicious. | tastes | delicious |
| The music sounds beautiful. | sounds | beautiful |
| She appears tired. | appears | tired |
| He is tall. | is | tall |
| They were late. | were | late |
| The sky is blue. | is | blue |
| My dream is to travel. | is | to travel |
| Her goal is success. | is | success |
| The problem is complex. | is | complex |
| The answer is correct. | is | correct |
| His passion is writing. | is | writing |
| The solution is simple. | is | simple |
| The movie was interesting. | was | interesting |
| The book is informative. | is | informative |
| The weather became cold. | became | cold |
| The flowers smell fragrant. | smell | fragrant |
| The experience was unforgettable. | was | unforgettable |
| The concert sounds amazing. | sounds | amazing |
| The journey seems long. | seems | long |
| The plan appears feasible. | appears | feasible |
Object Complement Examples
The following table provides examples of sentences using object complements.
| Sentence | Direct Object | Object Complement |
|---|---|---|
| They painted the house blue. | the house | blue |
| We consider him a friend. | him | a friend |
| She called her dog Lucky. | her dog | Lucky |
| He made the room tidy. | the room | tidy |
| They elected her president. | her | president |
| We found the book interesting. | the book | interesting |
| She named her cat Whiskers. | her cat | Whiskers |
| He declared the meeting adjourned. | the meeting | adjourned |
| They appointed him chairman. | him | chairman |
| We consider the project a success. | the project | a success |
| She deemed the task impossible. | the task | impossible |
| He labeled the file confidential. | the file | confidential |
| They regarded him as a hero. | him | as a hero |
| We judged the performance excellent. | the performance | excellent |
| She thought the movie boring. | the movie | boring |
| The committee appointed her treasurer. | her | treasurer |
| The company promoted him manager. | him | manager |
| The audience found the play captivating. | the play | captivating |
| The critics considered the novel groundbreaking. | the novel | groundbreaking |
| The students elected him class representative. | him | class representative |
Usage Rules
Several rules govern the proper use of verb complements:
- Transitive verbs require direct objects. Intransitive verbs do not take direct objects.
- Indirect objects must come before direct objects.
- Subject complements follow linking verbs.
- Object complements follow the direct object and describe or rename it.
- Prepositional complements begin with a preposition.
There can be exceptions for literary purposes, but generally, the rules are very strict. Word order is very important in English.
Altering the order can completely change the meaning of the sentence.
Common Mistakes
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using verb complements:
- Confusing direct and indirect objects: Make sure to identify the receiver of the action (direct object) and the beneficiary of the action (indirect object).
- Misusing linking verbs: Remember that linking verbs connect the subject to a description or identification, not an action.
- Omitting necessary complements: Ensure that transitive verbs have direct objects to complete their meaning.
- Incorrect word order: Follow the correct subject-verb-complement order.
Here are some examples of common errors:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| She gave the book. | She gave him the book. | Missing indirect object. |
| He is happily. | He is happy. | Adverb instead of adjective after linking verb. |
| I enjoy. | I enjoy music. | Missing direct object. |
| They painted blue the house. | They painted the house blue. | Incorrect word order for object complement. |
| She seems sadly. | She seems sad. | Adverb instead of adjective after linking verb. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of verb complements with these exercises:
Exercise 1: Identifying Direct Objects
Identify the direct object in each of the following sentences.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. The bird built a nest. | a nest |
| 2. She wrote a poem. | a poem |
| 3. He plays the piano. | the piano |
| 4. They sell cars. | cars |
| 5. I need help. | help |
| 6. We watched the game. | the game |
| 7. The author signed the book. | the book |
| 8. The chef cooked dinner. | dinner |
| 9. The student answered the question. | the question |
| 10. The company launched a new product. | a new product |
Exercise 2: Identifying Indirect Objects
Identify the indirect object in each of the following sentences.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. She gave him the keys. | him |
| 2. He told her a story. | her |
| 3. They sent us a package. | us |
| 4. I bought my mother flowers. | my mother |
| 5. We showed them the house. | them |
| 6. The teacher gave the students homework. | the students |
| 7. The chef cooked the guests dinner. | the guests |
| 8. The artist painted the gallery a mural. | the gallery |
| 9. The musician played the audience a song. | the audience |
| 10. The librarian lent the patron a book. | the patron |
Exercise 3: Identifying Subject Complements
Identify the subject complement in each of the following sentences.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. She is a doctor. | a doctor |
| 2. He seems happy. | happy |
| 3. They are students. | students |
| 4. It became dark. | dark |
| 5. The food tastes delicious. | delicious |
| 6. The sky is blue. | blue |
| 7. My dream is to travel. | to travel |
| 8. Her goal is success. | success |
| 9. The problem is complex. | complex |
| 10. The answer is correct. | correct |
Exercise 4: Identifying Object Complements
Identify the object complement in each of the following sentences.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. They painted the house blue. | blue |
| 2. We consider him a friend. | a friend |
| 3. She called her dog Lucky. | Lucky |
| 4. He made the room tidy. | tidy |
| 5. They elected her president. | president |
| 6. The committee appointed her treasurer. | treasurer |
| 7. The company promoted him manager. | manager |
| 8. The audience found the play captivating. | captivating |
| 9. We found the book interesting. | interesting |
| 10. She deemed the task impossible. | impossible |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, consider these more complex aspects of verb complements:
- Clauses as Complements: Verb complements can be entire clauses, adding layers of complexity to sentence structure.
- Elliptical Complements: In some cases, complements may be implied rather than explicitly stated.
- Complements in Complex Sentences: Understanding how complements function in complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses, is crucial for advanced writing.
Mastering these advanced topics will significantly enhance your understanding of English grammar and your ability to create sophisticated and nuanced sentences. It also helps in understanding advanced texts and literature.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about verb complements:
- What is the difference between a verb complement and a verb modifier?
A verb complement is essential to complete the meaning of the verb, while a verb modifier adds extra information but is not necessary for the sentence’s core meaning. Complements are integral to the sentence structure, while modifiers are optional.
- Can a verb have more than one complement?
Yes, a verb can have multiple complements, such as both a direct and an indirect object. For example, “She gave him the book” has both an indirect object (“him”) and a direct object (“the book”).
- How do I identify a subject complement?
A subject complement follows a linking verb and describes or identifies the subject of the sentence. Common linking verbs include be, seem, become, appear, look, feel, taste, smell, and sound.
- What is the role of prepositions in prepositional complements?
Prepositions introduce prepositional phrases that act as complements, modifying the verb or object. They provide information about location, time, manner, or reason.
- Are all direct objects nouns?
No, direct objects can be nouns, pronouns, or noun phrases. They are the entity that receives the action of the verb, regardless of their specific form.
- What happens if I omit a necessary verb complement?
Omitting a necessary verb complement can make the sentence incomplete or ambiguous, leading to confusion or misinterpretation. Transitive verbs, in particular, require a direct object to complete their meaning.
- How do object complements differ from adjectives that describe the object?
Object complements rename or describe the direct object in a way that is essential to the verb’s meaning. Adjectives simply provide additional descriptive details but are not integral to the verb’s completion.
- Can a verb complement be a clause?
Yes, a verb complement can be a clause. These clauses often begin with words like “that,” “if,” or “whether” and provide additional information about the verb’s action or state.
Conclusion
Mastering verb complements is essential for clear and effective communication in English. By understanding the different types of complements, their functions, and how to use them correctly, you can significantly improve your writing and speaking skills.
Remember to practice identifying and using verb complements in various contexts. Pay attention to the specific requirements of different verbs and the structural patterns that govern complement usage.
Continue to explore advanced topics and refine your understanding through practice and application. With consistent effort, you can master verb complements and enhance your overall command of the English language.
Keep practicing and reviewing the rules as needed to solidify your understanding and usage.