Object Complements

Definition

Object complements are words or phrases that provide additional information about direct objects in a sentence, often describing or renaming them. They help clarify or enhance the meaning of the direct object, allowing for a more complete understanding of the action taking place. These complements can be nouns, pronouns, or adjectives, and they typically follow the direct object in a sentence structure.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Object complements typically come after the direct object and can be nouns, adjectives, or pronouns that add more detail.
2. In sentences like 'They elected him president,' 'president' is the object complement that provides more information about 'him.'
3. Object complements can be essential for conveying meaning in sentences where the action and the result are closely related.
4. Not all sentences with direct objects require object complements; their use depends on whether additional information is necessary for clarity.
5. Common verbs that often take object complements include 'consider,' 'name,' 'elect,' and 'make,' among others.

Review Questions

• How do object complements enhance the meaning of direct objects in sentences?
  • Object complements enhance the meaning of direct objects by providing additional information that clarifies or describes them. For instance, in the sentence 'We found the book interesting,' the adjective 'interesting' serves as an object complement, giving more context about 'the book.' This added detail helps convey a deeper understanding of the action and its implications.
• Compare and contrast object complements with subject complements. What are their functions in a sentence?
  • Object complements and subject complements serve different functions in a sentence. Object complements provide additional information about direct objects, typically following them and enhancing their meaning. In contrast, subject complements follow linking verbs and describe or rename the subject. For example, in 'She is a teacher,' 'teacher' is a subject complement explaining who she is, while in 'They named him captain,' 'captain' is an object complement providing details about 'him.'
• Evaluate the role of object complements in complex sentences and their impact on overall clarity.
  • In complex sentences, object complements play a critical role by clarifying relationships between actions and their corresponding objects. By adding necessary details, they prevent ambiguity and ensure that readers grasp the intended meaning without confusion. For example, in 'The committee appointed her chairperson,' the term 'chairperson' as an object complement specifies what role was assigned to 'her.' This clarity is essential in effective communication, especially when conveying nuanced ideas or decisions.

Related terms

Direct Object:

A noun or pronoun that receives the action of a verb, answering the question 'what?' or 'whom?' after the verb.

Subject Complement: A word or phrase that follows a linking verb and provides additional information about the subject, usually describing or identifying it.

Transitive Verb: A verb that requires one or more objects to express a complete thought, which can include direct objects and object complements.