LoginObject Complements
In this lesson, master object complements, which are essential parts of a sentence that modify the direct object of a verb. Clear explanations and practice exercises to help you learn.
What Are Object Complements?
An object complement is a type of verb complement that follows a direct object after a complex transitive verb to provide additional information or further describe the direct object. Object complements can take several forms, including a noun, an adjective, a prepositional phrase, or an adverb.
Object Complements: Types
There are four main types of object complements as follows:
Noun Phrases as Object Complements
When a noun phrase follows the direct object in a clause with a transitive verb, it functions as an object complement. Check out the examples below:
I can make him a better person.
In this example the pronoun 'him' is the direct object and the noun phrase 'a better person' is the object complement.
I will call you the red head.
Adjectives as Object Complements
If an adjective is used after the direct object of a transitive verb, it functions as the object complement, because it gives further information about the direct object. Remember, present participles and past participles are also adjectives. Check these examples out:
She made me happy.
We found Sarah sleeping.
We wanted him dead.
Prepositional Phrase as Object Complements
A prepositional phrase consisting of a preposition and a noun can also be used as the complement of the direct object. Here are a few examples:
We kept everything in good order.
Do not consider yourself above others.
Adverbs as Object Complements
Adverbs of place can be placed directly after the direct object of the verb. Check out the examples:
I couldn't find him anywhere.
We have sent Timmy home.
Put the pizza in the oven.
Warning!
Adverbs of time, frequency, or manner are not typically used as object complements. Adverbs of place can be used as object complements, but even in this case, it is important to choose a suitable verb that can be used with an adverb of place. Check out the examples:
✓ I find my boyfriend amusing.
✗ I find my boyfriend amusingly.
✗ They eat chicken every time.
Object Complement vs. Subject Complement
Subject complements are used after linking verbs, but object complements are used after complex transitive verbs and directly after the direct object. Compare the examples:
She is happy. → subject complement
She made me happy. →object complement
Object Complement vs. Direct object
When a transitive verb is followed by an object pronoun or a noun, the noun phrase that follows can be either a direct object or an object complement, depending on its relationship with the preceding noun.
If the object pronoun or noun is an indirect object, receiving the direct object as the result of the action of the verb, then the following noun phrase is simply the direct object.
However, if the noun or object pronoun functions as a direct object and is further described or defined by the following phrase, then the following noun phrase is the object complement.
Check out the examples below:
She made him a better person. → object complement
She made him a sandwich. → direct object
in this example the pronoun 'him' is the indirect object which receives the direct object 'a sandwich.'
Review
Object complements follow the direct object of the verb and describe it. Certain structures can function as object complements, including:
noun
adjective
prepositional phrase
adverb of place
Quiz:
Which of the following sentences correctly uses an object complement to further describe the direct object?
They met her at the conference.
They elected her president.
They invited her to the party.
They thanked her for her help.
Sort the words to form a sentence with an object complement.
Match each sentence with the correct type of object complement.
Fill the blanks based on information from the lesson. (There are two extra options.)
An object complement follows a(n)
and provides additional information or further describes it.
Unlike
, which follow linking verbs, object complements appear after direct objects.
Adverbs that function as object complements are usually adverbs of
.
Adjectives can serve as object complements when they provide more information about the direct object of a(n)
verb.
Which sentence does not include an object complement?
They named the puppy Max.
She left the door open.
I sent her a letter.
I considered the idea foolish.
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