Object Complement – Meaning, Definition, Usage and Examples

An objective complement is a noun, pronoun, or adjective that follows a direct object and renames or describes it. It provides more information about the direct object.

Objective complements are used to add detail or emphasis to the direct object. When crafting content for your website, it’s crucial to understand the concept of an objective complement. By incorporating objective complements effectively, you can enhance the clarity and depth of your writing.

What is an Objective Complement?

An objective complement is a word that follows a direct object.

It gives more info about that object or says what it has become.

Usually, it’s a noun or an adjective.An object complement is a word or phrase that provides more information about the direct object. It typically follows the direct object and describes or renames it. This grammatical structure adds depth and clarity to the sentence.

It makes sentences more detailed and interesting.

Types Of Complement

Discover the essence of Objective Complement, a crucial element in language structure that adds depth and clarity to sentences. This type of complement serves to complete the meaning of a sentence, shedding light on the direct object. Mastering the use of Objective Complement enhances communication and writing skills.

• Direct Object Complement:
• Modifies or completes the direct object.
• Adds more detail to the direct object.
• Subject Complement:
• Renames or describes the subject.
• Follows linking verbs like “is,” “become,” or “seem.”
• Object Complement:
• Modifies or completes the direct object.
• Adds more detail to the direct object.

Examples of Objective Complements

Sentence	Direct Object	Objective Complement
They elected him president.	him	president
We consider the sky beautiful.	the sky	beautiful

In these sentences, “president” and “beautiful” are objective complements.

Why Use an Objective Complement?

• More Details: It gives us extra info about the object.
• Clear Meaning: It helps us understand what the object is or has become.
• Better Sentences: It makes our writing stronger and more colorful.

How to Identify an Objective Complement

To find an objective complement, look for these things:

• First, find the action verb in the sentence.
• Next, look for the direct object. This is what receives the action.
• Then, see if there is a word after the direct object that gives more info about it.

If there is such a word, it might be an objective complement.

Object Complements Vs. Indirect Objects

Object complements and indirect objects are two distinct grammatical elements. An objective complement further describes the direct object, often appearing as a noun or adjective. On the other hand, an indirect object receives the direct object, typically in the form of a noun or pronoun.

Object Complements

• Object complements:
• Modify or provide additional information about the direct object.
• Often take the form of a noun, pronoun, or adjective that directly follows the direct object.
• Serve to further describe or rename the direct object, adding depth to the sentence’s meaning.

Indirect Objects

• Indirect objects:
• Receive the direct object, usually in the form of a noun or pronoun.
• Answer the question “to whom” or “for whom” the action of the verb is performed.
• Typically appear before the direct object and after the verb.

Objective Complement vs. Subject Complement

Don’t mix up objective complements with subject complements.

Subject complements are linked to the subject, not the object.

They follow linking verbs like “am,” “is,” “are,” “was,” and “were.”

Objective complements follow action verbs and are linked to the object.

Object Complements Vs. Predicate Adverbs

An objective complement serves to modify or complete the direct object in a sentence, often taking the form of a noun or an adjective. It provides additional information about the direct object, essentially giving more detail or renaming it. In contrast, predicate adverbs modify the verb in a sentence, indicating how the action is performed.

When it comes to understanding the grammar of the English language, two concepts that are often confused with each other are object complements and predicate adverbs. Both of these are used to complement the object of a sentence, but their functions are different.

Let’s explore the differences between these two concepts in more detail.

Object Complements

An object complement is a word or a group of words that follow and describe the direct object of a sentence. Here are some key features of object complements:

• They are not essential to the meaning of the sentence.
• They can be a noun, an adjective, a pronoun, or a phrase.
• They always follow the direct object.
• They answer the question “What?” Or “Whom?” About the direct object.

Here’s an example:

• Direct object: She painted the wall.
• Object complement: She painted the wall blue.

In this example, “blue” is the object complement because it describes the direct object “wall. “

Predicate Adverbs

On the other hand, a predicate adverb is a word or a group of words that follow the verb and describe the action of the sentence. Here are some key features of predicate adverbs:

• They are not essential to the meaning of the sentence.
• They describe the action of the verb.
• They can be an adverb or a phrase.
• They answer the question “How?” About the action of the verb.

Here’s an example:

• Sentence: He spoke quietly.
• Predicate adverb: He spoke quietly.

In this example, “quietly” is the predicate adverb because it describes how he spoke.

It’s important to understand the difference between object complements and predicate adverbs in English grammar. Object complements describe the direct object of a sentence, while predicate adverbs describe the action of the verb. By understanding these concepts, you can use them correctly in your writing and avoid common mistakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is An Objective Complement?

An objective complement is a noun or adjective that follows a direct object to rename or describe it, completing the object’s meaning.

How Does An Objective Complement Function?

Objective complements complete the direct object by either renaming it with a noun or describing it with an adjective in a sentence.

Can Verbs Have Objective Complements?

Certain linking verbs can have objective complements, typically following and modifying the sentence’s direct object.

Examples Of Objective Complements In Sentences?

In the sentence “They elected Sarah president,” the word “president” is an objective complement that renames