Complements

Complements Complements are words that complete the meaning or action of verbs. There are two different kinds of complements: subject complements and objects of verbs.

Subject Complements A subject complement is a word that follows a linking verb and identifies or describes the subject. Subject complements may be predicate adjectives (PA) or predicate nominatives (PN).

Subject Complements, cont. Predicate Adjectives: describe or modify the subject The climb had been difficult. “difficult” describes the subject “climb.” The explorers felt extremely miserable. “miserable” describes the subject “explorers.”

Subject Complements, cont. Predicate Nominatives: nouns or pronouns that identify, rename, or define the subject. Mount Everest was their destination. “destination” is a noun renaming the subject “Mount Everest.” The trip became their worst nightmare. “nightmare” is a noun renaming the subject “trip.”

Subject Complements, cont. Why do Subject Complements matter? In writing, well-chosen predicate adjectives and predicate nominatives can help you create vivid descriptions and clear definitions.

Subject Complement Practice Copy the following sentences. Underline the linking verb once and subject complement twice. After the sentence, write PN if the subject complement is a predicate nominative or PA if it is a predicate adjective. Hint: Get rid of Prepositional Phrases first! Hurricanes are especially dangerous storms. The eye of the hurricane is a calm area at the storm’s center. The hurricane itself is an area of low pressure. In the western Pacific region, the name for hurricane is typhoon. Hurricane winds are extremely strong.

Subject Complement Practice Answers Hurricanes are especially dangerous storms. PN The eye of the hurricane is a calm area at the storm’s center. PN The hurricane itself is an area of low pressure. PN In the western Pacific region, the name for hurricane is typhoon. PN Hurricane winds are extremely strong. PA

Objects of Verbs Action verbs often require complements called direct objects and indirect objects to complete their meaning. Commit this to memory: S V I D (subject, action verb, indirect object, direct object)

Direct Objects A Direct Object is a word or a group of words that receives the action of an action verb. It answers the question what or whom. Mrs. Cottrill graded the tests. What did Mrs. Cottrill grade? Tests. The students accepted their grades. What did the students accept? Grades. The dog bit the woman. Whom did the dog bite? Woman.

Indirect Objects An Indirect Object tells to what, to whom, for what, or for whom an action is done. Verbs that often take indirect objects are bring, give, hand, lend, make, send, show, teach, tell, and write. If you have an indirect object, you MUST have a direct object following it.

Indirect Objects, cont. Mrs. Cottrill gave the students their tests. To whom did Mrs. Cottrill give the tests? Students. The students made Mrs. Cottrill a cake. For whom did the students make a cake? Mrs. Cottrill.

Finding Objects of Verbs The best man gave the groom the ring at the ceremony. 1. Get rid of prepositional phrases. AT THE CEREMONY 2. Find the action verb in the sentence. GAVE 3. To find the direct object ask (action verb) what? RING 4. To find the indirect object, ask (action verb) to/for whom? GROOM

Objects of Verbs Practice The mother of the bride dropped her handkerchief. The father of the groom gave her the handkerchief. The matron of honor told the bride the story. The bride dropped her bouquet. The groom gave her the bouquet back.

Objects of Verbs Practice Answers Indirect Object Direct Object The mother of the bride dropped her handkerchief. The father of the groom gave her the handkerchief. The matron of honor told the bride the story. The bride dropped her bouquet. The groom gave her the bouquet back.