LoginAdjective Complements
In this lesson we learn about adjective complements, which are essential parts of a sentence that complete the meaning of adjectives. Clear explanations and practice exercises to help you learn.
What Are Adjective Complements?
Adjective complements are words, phrases, or clauses that follow and provide additional information about an adjective in a sentence. They might be essential or optional to fully understanding the meaning of the adjective.
Adjective Complements: Forms
An adjective complement can be a:
Noun Clauses as Adjective Complements
Noun clauses are groups of words that contain a subject and a verb and act as a noun. They're dependent clauses and do not express a complete thought. That-clauses, nominal relative clauses, and infinitive clauses are types of noun clauses that can act as adjective complements.
It was obvious that she was lying.
that-clause as adjective complement
It's amazing how you've accomplished so many of your goals.
nominal relative clause as adjective complement
I'm glad to be of service.
to-infinitive clause as adjective complement
Prepositional Phrases as Adjective Complements
Prepositional phrases consist of a preposition and the object of the preposition which can be a noun, pronoun, noun phrase, pronoun, or noun clause. They can act as adjective complements. Take a look at these examples:
He was addicted to marijuana.
She's tired of waiting.
Tip!
Adjective complements usually work with predicative adjectives. For example:
Dad was so happy that they finally got engaged.
I am worried that the test results will not be good.
Adjective Complements: Placement
When an adjective has both an infinitive clause and a prepositional phrase as adjective complements, the order of the clause elements would be like this:
adjective + (prepositional phrase: for/of + noun) + (to-infinitives)
It is necessary for you to study for your exams.
It was bold of her to try that technique.
Warning
Do not confuse infinitive clauses with prepositional phrases beginning with 'to'.
I am anxious to see the result.
to-infinitive clause
She was allergic to certain types of pollen.
a prepositional phrase with "to"
Adjective Complement: Use
Adjective complements help provide additional detail, clarify the adjective's meaning, or describe the specific situation to which the adjective applies. Consider this sentence:
It may be necessary.
Because the sentence has a dummy subject ('it') and it is not clear what it refers to, the listener might ask 'what may be necessary?'. In this case, an adjective complement is required to provide the necessary information for the sentence to make sense:
It may be necessary for you to wear a tie at the ceremony.
Review
Adjective complements come after an adjective to add more information about what it applies to. Prepositional phrases and noun clauses can act as adjective complements.
We're happy to know you!
She was certain that he would arrive on time.
She was proud of her achievements.
She is ready to start the journey.
Quiz:
Which sentence contains an adjective complement?
She bought a new dress.
He was afraid that he might fail.
The cake smelled delicious.
They ran quickly to catch the bus.
Which of the following sentences includes a noun clause as an adjective complement?
They were happy with the results of the exam.
She felt happy that her artwork was displayed in the gallery.
I was happy because I had won the race.
He was really happy and satisfied.
Sort the words to form a correct sentence with two adjective complements.
Fill the blanks based on information from the lesson. (There are two extra options.)
An adjective complement can be a noun clause or a (n)
.
A(n)
is a group of words containing a subject and a verb that acts as a noun and can provide additional information about an adjective.
Some noun clauses, such as that-clauses, nominal relative clauses, and
can act as adjective complements.
Adjective complements usually modify
.
Match each sentence with the correct type of adjective complement it contains.
Comments
(0)
Recommended
