Complement

Definition

A complement is a word or phrase that completes the meaning of a subject, verb, or object in a sentence, providing additional information. Complements play a crucial role in conveying the full meaning of sentences, as they can identify, describe, or specify the subject or object and are integral to different parts of speech such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Complements can be classified into different types: subject complements, object complements, and verb complements, each serving a unique function in the sentence.
2. A subject complement follows a linking verb and renames or describes the subject, such as in 'She is a teacher,' where 'a teacher' is the complement.
3. An object complement provides additional information about the direct object, like in 'They elected him president,' where 'president' is the complement.
4. Complements are essential for clarity in sentences; without them, sentences may become incomplete or ambiguous.
5. In passive voice constructions, complements can shift focus from the subject to the object, demonstrating how meaning can change depending on structure.

Review Questions

• Explain how complements function differently in active versus passive voice sentences.
  • In active voice sentences, complements typically follow the verb and provide clarity about what or who is affected by the action. For example, in 'She made him happy,' 'happy' is an object complement that describes how 'him' feels due to her action. In passive voice constructions like 'He was made happy by her,' the focus shifts to 'he' as the subject, with 'happy' still serving as a complement that describes his state. This shift highlights how sentence structure impacts meaning while retaining the role of complements.
• Discuss the relationship between complements and modifiers in sentence structure.
  • Complements and modifiers both provide additional information in sentences but serve different purposes. Complements are necessary to complete the meaning of verbs and provide essential details about subjects and objects. For example, in 'She considers him a friend,' 'a friend' is a complement that completes the thought. Modifiers, on the other hand, enhance meaning without being essential; they add detail but can often be removed without altering basic understanding. Together, they enrich sentence complexity and depth.
• Evaluate how understanding complements can enhance one's writing skills and clarity in communication.
  • A solid grasp of complements allows writers to construct clear and effective sentences by ensuring that all necessary information is included. By knowing how to use subject and object complements correctly, writers can articulate ideas more precisely, reducing ambiguity. Moreover, recognizing how to manipulate sentence structure involving complements enables writers to create varied sentence forms that keep readers engaged. Ultimately, mastering complements empowers one to communicate more effectively and enhances overall writing quality.

Related terms

Subject: The subject is the part of a sentence that indicates who or what is performing the action of the verb.

Predicate: The predicate is the part of a sentence that tells something about the subject, including the verb and any complements.

Modifier: A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that provides additional information about another element in the sentence, often enhancing meaning but not essential to it.