Sentence Analysis

Lesson Notes –

Step 4:

Complements

COMPLEMENTS

Words that complete the thoughts of a sentence are called COMPLEMENTS.

There are two kinds of complements, those that follow ACTION VERBS and those that follow LINKING VERBS.

Complements that follow an action verb include:a DIRECT OBJECTan INDIRECT OBJECTand an OBJECTIVE COMPLEMENT.

Complements that follow a linking verb include:PREDICATE NOMINATIVES (NOUNS)and PREDICATE ADJECTIVES.

STEP 4A

DIRECT OBJECTS

STEP 4A: Direct Objects

A direct object (DO) is a noun or pronoun that completes the meaning of the sentence.

It is a word that names the receiver of the action of an action verb.

STEP 4A: Direct Objects

So, if a sentence has an ACTION VERB, look for a DIRECT OBJECT.

To find the direct object:Say the subject, say the

verb, say “what?” or “whom?”

The word that is the answer is the direct object.

Example 1:

Ted hit the ball.

Say “Ted hit what?”“ball” answers the

question. The word “ball” is the DIRECT OBJECT.

Example 2:

John will take Mary to the dance.

Ask “John will take whom?”“Mary” answers the

question.The word “Mary” is the

DIRECT OBJECT.

Sometimes the direct object is compound, which means that there are two or more direct objects joined by a conjunction.

Example:

I like cake and ice cream.

Ask “I like what?”“cake” and “cream” both

answer the question.Both are the direct objects.

Labeling Direct Objects:

Draw a box around the direct object and label it “DO”

Example:

You may eat the pizza.Ask “you may eat what?”“pizza” answers the

question.DO

You may eat the pizza.

STEP 4B

INDIRECT OBJECTS

Step 4B: Indirect Object

An Indirect Object (IO) is a noun or pronoun that comes before the direct object.

An Indirect Object answers the question “to whom or what?” or “for whom or what?”

The words of the sentence are usually in this order:

Subject, verb, IO, DO.

NOTE: A sentence cannot have an indirect object unless there is a direct object!

To find the indirect object:

say the subject say the verb say the direct object and ask “to whom or what?”

or “for whom or what?”

Example 1:

1. The book club sent its members cards.

Verb: “sent”Subject: “club”DO: “cards”Club sent cards to whom or what?

“members” is the IO.

Example 2:

2. The Romans gave each bridge several arches.

Verb: “gave”

Subject: “Romans”

DO: “arches

Romans gave arches to whom or what? “bridge” is the IO.

Indirect objects can be compound.

(That means there are two IO’s with a conjunction.)

Example:

I gave Maria and Pablo a ride to school.

Verb: “gave”Subject: “I”DO: “ride”I gave a ride to whom?“Maria” and “Pablo” are the IO’s

Labeling Indirect Objects:

Once you identify an indirect object -

draw a box around it and label it IO.

Now, let’s practice until we learn Steps 4A and 4B!

Step 4C

Objective Complements

(OC)

Objective Complement:

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

An objective complement renames or describes the direct object.

An Objective Complement Noun (OCN) renames the direct object.

An Objective Complement Adjective (OCA) describes the direct object.

The words of the sentence are usually in this order:

subject, verb, direct object, objective complement

Example of OCN:

We consider her a good player.

“player” follows the DO “her” and renames it, so “player” is an objective complement noun.

Example of OCA:

Many call him unbeatable.

“unbeatable” follows the DO and describes it, so “unbeatable” is an objective complement adjective.

Compound objective complements:

Objective complements can be compound.

(That means there are two or more complements joined by a conjunction.)

Example of compound OCs:

Some think him arrogant and rude.

Both “arrogant” and “rude” follow the DO and describe it, so both are OCAs.

NOTE:

An objective complement frequently occurs in sentences with these verbs:

appoint, call, choose, consider, elect, find, make, keep, name, and think.

Labeling objective complements:

Once you have identified an objective complement -

draw a box around it and label it OCN or OCA.

Now, let’s practice until we learn Step 4C!

STEP 4D

Subject Complements:

Predicate Nominative (PN) & Predicate Adjective (PA)

If the verb is LINKING, then look for a Predicate Nominative or a Predicate Adjective.

Predicate Nominative:

a noun or pronoun that follows the linking verb and renames the subject.

Example 1:

He is my friend.

“friend” renames the subject “He.”

“friend” is a Predicate Nominative.

The personal pronouns that can be Predicate Nominatives are:

I, we, you, she, he, it, they

Example 2:

The singer was she.

“she” renames “singer.”“she” is a Predicate

Nominative.

Simple Test for PN:

If the complement can be switched with the subject, and the sentence still has the same meaning, then the complement is a PN.

Predicate Adjective:

an adjective that follows the linking verb and describes the subject of the sentence

Example 3:

That man is really handsome.

“handsome” describes the subject “man.”

“handsome” is a Predicate Adjective.

Simple Test for PA:

If you can move the complement in front of the subject, and the complement and subject make sense together, then the complement is a PA.

Simple Test Example:

That man is really handsome.

Since “handsome” describes “man” and “That handsome man” makes sense, the word handsome is a PA.

Compound Complements

Predicate Adjectives and Predicate Nominatives may be compound (two or more PAs or PNs with a conjunction).

Example 4:

I am happy and sad.

“happy” and “sad” are both PAs.

Example 5:

Those people are teachers and brilliant.

“teachers” renames “people” and is a PN.

“brilliant” describes “people” and is a PA.

A Double-Check:

To be sure whether a word is a PA or a PN:

Try to make the word plural.PAs cannot be plural. PNs can be plural.

Double-Check Examples:

She is pretty. Can you say, “prettys”? No, so “pretty” is a PA.

She is a girl. Can you say, “girls”? Yes, so “girl” is a PN.

Last double-check example:

It was he.

Since “they” is the plural of “he,” then “he” is a PN.

Labeling subject complements (PA & PN)

Once you identify the Predicate Adjective or Predicate Nominative, draw a box around it and label it PA or PN.