ENGLISH
Ch. 14, Complements
Complements
Word or word group that completes the meaning of a verb
Can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective
Incomplete: Jason askedComplete: Jason asked a question
Incomplete: She isComplete: She is an extrovert.
Remember! Adverbs are never complements.Complements are never inside a prepositional phrase.Complements may be compound.
Direct Objects
Noun, pronoun, or word group that tells who or what receives the action of the verb
Answers “what” or “whom” + did + S + V Comes after a transitive action verb ONLY
Examples
The astronauts finally entered space after a delayed launch.
The committee asked the board members for more money.
Are you buying a novel or a magazine from the book fair?
DO
DO
DO DO
Indirect Objects
Noun, pronoun, or word group that sometimes appears in sentences containing direct objects
Tells to whom, to what, for whom, or for what Answers “to whom” + did + S + V + DO Follows transitive action verbs ONLY and must have a DO
ExamplesThe biology professor showed her students examples of
osmosis.
Daniel’s friends threw him and his twin brother a birthday party.
Pam and Jim gave whoever walked in the door a nametag.
DOIO
DOIO IO
DOIO
Subject Complement
Completes the meaning of a LV and identifies or describes the subject.
NOT in a prepositional phrase
ExamplesHillary Clinton was a presidential candidate
The students felt happy after serving at the homeless shelter.
Plenty of rest was just what the doctor ordered.
Predicate Nominative
Is in the predicate Identifies the subject or refers to it Can only be a noun or a pronoun
ExamplesThe Boston Massacre was a tragic event in
1770.
The English king during the American Revolution was George III.
A boatswain is an officer on a ship.
PN
PNPN
Predicate Adjective
Is in the predicate Describes the subject
ExamplesSome colonial leaders remained loyal to King
George III after the Boston Tea Party.
Patrick Henry was very outspoken in defending colonial rights.
Grammar is fun and helpful!
PA
PA
PA PA