NOT “COMPLIMENTS”

COMPLEMENTS – THINK “COMPLETERS”

Objects/Complements

Direct objects

1. Come after a transitive verb2. answer who? Or what?3. can be a single word, a phrase, or a clause

4. must be a noun or pronoun

Examples of direct objects

Craig will read the book tomorrow.David finally repaired his broken window.Toby loves cooking scones. (phrase as DO)

(Step 1. Find the verb = loves) (Step 2. Ask What? = cooking scones)

The cat wants to eat our goldfish. (phrase as DO) (Step 1. Find the verb = wants) (Step 2. Ask What? = to eat our goldfish)

She thought that the contract had ended. (clause as DO) (Step 1. Find the verb = thought) (Step 2. Ask What? = that the contract had ended)

Indirect objects

1. come after a transitive verb2. answer to whom? Or for whom?Examples:

The teacher sent him a postcard. Mrs. Rogers will give her class an essay every nine

weeks. Every time I ask her a question, she ignores me.

Objective complement

A noun, a pronoun, or an adjective which follows a direct object to rename or describe it

Examples: I found the guard sleeping. We all consider her unworthy. To obtain a man's opinion of you, make him mad.

Subjective complements

1. come after linking verbs The following verbs are true linking verbs: any form of

the verb be [am, is, are, was, were, has been, are being, might have been, etc.], become, and seem. These true linking verbs are always linking verbs.

2. rename (predicate nominative) or describe (predicate adjective) the subject

**Some verbs can be linking or action depending on how they are used in the sentence: appear, feel, grow, look, prove, remain, smell, sound, taste, and turn.**

Subjective complements/Objects

Sarah proved the theory to be true. Studying the theory proved useless.

She grows flowers in her garden.Melissa grows impatient with slow drivers.

Examples of subjective complements

Brandon is a talented athlete.Brandon becomes embarrassed when people

compliment his skill.That pie looks burnt to a cinder. (phrase as

SC)I am sensitive when it comes to children.Mary seems inquisitive when she is in class.

Practice!

This new broccoli dish tastes delicious.Mariah sent me a card from Spain.Does this spider look dead to you?Ralph and Antwan will silk-screen the

posters for the school play.Fruits and vegetables are important sources

of vitamins and minerals.Alex offered me two free tickets to Friday’s

concert.He set the caged animals free.