Understanding verb complements is crucial for constructing grammatically correct and meaningful sentences in English. Verb complements provide essential information about the verb, completing its meaning and specifying who or what is affected by the action.
This guide offers a detailed exploration of verb complements, covering their types, usage rules, common mistakes, and providing ample practice opportunities. Whether you’re an ESL student, a writer looking to refine your skills, or simply someone interested in grammar, this article will equip you with the knowledge and tools to master verb complements and enhance your overall command of the English language.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of Verb Complements
- Structural Breakdown
- Types of Verb Complements
- Examples of Verb Complements
- Usage Rules for Verb Complements
- Common Mistakes with Verb Complements
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Introduction
Verb complements are fundamental elements of sentence structure, providing essential details that complete the meaning of a verb. Without complements, many verbs would leave the reader or listener with an incomplete understanding of the action being performed.
Mastering verb complements is crucial for clear and effective communication. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to understanding and using verb complements correctly, covering various types, usage rules, common errors, and offering practical exercises to solidify your knowledge.
This guide is designed for English language learners, students, writers, and anyone seeking to improve their understanding of English grammar. By understanding the role and types of verb complements, you will be able to construct more precise and sophisticated sentences, enhancing your writing and speaking abilities.
We will explore each type of complement in detail, providing numerous examples and practical exercises to help you master this essential aspect of English grammar.
Definition of Verb Complements
A verb complement is a word, phrase, or clause that follows a verb and completes its meaning. It provides essential information about the subject or object of the verb, clarifying the action or state being described.
Verb complements are distinct from verb modifiers (adverbs or adverbial phrases), which provide additional information about how, when, where, or why the action occurred but are not essential to the verb’s core meaning. Understanding this distinction is key to identifying and using verb complements correctly.
Verb complements are crucial for complete sentences. They answer questions like “what?”, “whom?”, “which?”, or “what kind?”.
They can be nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, phrases, or clauses, depending on the type of complement and the verb it accompanies. Identifying the verb and understanding what information it requires to make a complete thought is the first step in mastering verb complements.
Structural Breakdown
The structure of a sentence containing a verb complement typically follows the Subject-Verb-Complement (SVC) or Subject-Verb-Object-Complement (SVOC) pattern. The specific structure depends on the type of verb and the type of complement required.
Intransitive verbs do not take complements (e.g., “She sleeps.”), while transitive verbs require at least one complement, usually a direct object (e.g., “He eats apples.”). Ditransitive verbs take two complements: a direct object and an indirect object (e.g., “She gave him a book.”).
Understanding the different verb types is essential for identifying the required complements. Linking verbs, such as be, seem, become, connect the subject to a subject complement, which describes or identifies the subject. Complex transitive verbs require both a direct object and an object complement to complete their meaning. Recognizing these patterns allows you to construct grammatically correct and meaningful sentences.
Types of Verb Complements
Verb complements can be classified into several types, each fulfilling a specific role in completing the verb’s meaning. The main types include direct objects, indirect objects, subject complements, object complements, and adverbial complements.
Understanding the function of each type is crucial for accurate sentence construction and clear communication.
Direct Object
A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of a transitive verb. It answers the question “what?” or “whom?” after the verb.
The direct object is directly affected by the verb’s action. Identifying the direct object helps to clarify the scope and target of the verb’s action.
For example, in the sentence “She reads books,” “books” is the direct object because it receives the action of the verb “reads.” Similarly, in “He kicked the ball,” “ball” is the direct object. Transitive verbs *must* have a direct object (or, in some cases, an indirect object).
If a verb that usually takes a direct object doesn’t have one, the sentence is either incomplete or the verb is being used intransitively.
Indirect Object
An indirect object is a noun or pronoun that receives the direct object. It answers the question “to whom?” or “for whom?” after the verb.
Indirect objects typically appear with ditransitive verbs, which are verbs that take both a direct and an indirect object. The indirect object precedes the direct object in a sentence.
For instance, in the sentence “He gave her flowers,” “her” is the indirect object because she receives the flowers. “Flowers” is the direct object.
Similarly, in “They bought him a gift,” “him” is the indirect object, and “gift” is the direct object. The indirect object can often be rephrased using a prepositional phrase with “to” or “for” (e.g., “He gave flowers to her”).
Subject Complement
A subject complement is a noun, pronoun, or adjective that follows a linking verb and describes or identifies the subject of the sentence. It provides information about the subject’s state, condition, or identity.
Subject complements are essential for completing the meaning of linking verbs, which connect the subject to the complement.
For example, in the sentence “She is a doctor,” “doctor” is the subject complement because it identifies the subject “she.” In “He seems happy,” “happy” is the subject complement because it describes the subject “he.” Common linking verbs include be (is, are, was, were), seem, become, appear, feel, look, smell, and taste. The subject complement renames (predicate nominative) or describes (predicate adjective) the subject.
Object Complement
An object complement is a noun or adjective that follows the direct object and describes or identifies it. It provides additional information about the direct object, specifying its state, condition, or identity after the verb’s action.
Object complements are used with complex transitive verbs, which require both a direct object and an object complement to complete their meaning.
For instance, in the sentence “They elected him president,” “president” is the object complement because it identifies the direct object “him.” In “She painted the door red,” “red” is the object complement because it describes the direct object “door.” Verbs that commonly take object complements include make, consider, find, elect, paint, and call.
Adverbial Complement
An adverbial complement is a word, phrase, or clause that functions as an adverb and provides information about the verb, such as where, when, why, or how the action takes place. While adverbs are generally modifiers, certain adverbs or adverbial phrases are essential to the meaning of the verb in some sentences and thus function as complements.
These are often related to locations or states.
For example, in the sentence “He put the book on the table,” the phrase “on the table” is an adverbial complement. It is essential to understanding where he put the book.
Without it, the sentence is incomplete. Similarly, in “The meeting will be held next week,” “next week” is an adverbial complement specifying when the meeting will occur.
These complements are often prepositional phrases modifying location or time.
Examples of Verb Complements
To further illustrate the different types of verb complements, here are several examples categorized by complement type. Each table provides a range of sentences, demonstrating the variety of ways verb complements can be used to complete the meaning of a verb.
The following table provides examples of sentences containing direct objects. Each sentence contains a transitive verb followed by a noun phrase that receives the action of the verb.
| Sentence | Direct Object |
|---|---|
| The dog chased the ball. | the ball |
| She wrote a letter. | a letter |
| He painted the house. | the house |
| They built a bridge. | a bridge |
| I read the newspaper. | the newspaper |
| We watched a movie. | a movie |
| She cooked dinner. | dinner |
| He drives a car. | a car |
| They sell books. | books |
| I drink coffee. | coffee |
| She plays the piano. | the piano |
| He fixed the computer. | the computer |
| They caught the thief. | the thief |
| I saw a bird. | a bird |
| We visited the museum. | the museum |
| She cleaned the kitchen. | the kitchen |
| He watered the plants. | the plants |
| They planted trees. | trees |
| I wrote a poem. | a poem |
| We sang a song. | a song |
| She teaches English. | English |
| He studies math. | math |
| They love music. | music |
| I hate spiders. | spiders |
| We need help. | help |
| She wants a vacation. | a vacation |
| He likes ice cream. | ice cream |
| They fear darkness. | darkness |
The following table provides examples of sentences containing indirect objects. Each sentence contains a ditransitive verb, followed by an indirect object and a direct object.
| Sentence | Indirect Object | Direct Object |
|---|---|---|
| She gave him a book. | him | a book |
| They sent her flowers. | her | flowers |
| He told me a story. | me | a story |
| I bought them tickets. | them | tickets |
| We lent her money. | her | money |
| She showed him the picture. | him | the picture |
| They offered us help. | us | help |
| He read her a poem. | her | a poem |
| I made him dinner. | him | dinner |
| We wrote them a letter. | them | a letter |
| She taught us English. | us | English |
| He sold me his car. | me | his car |
| They gave her a gift. | her | a gift |
| I showed them the way. | them | the way |
| We offered him a job. | him | a job |
| She told me the truth. | me | the truth |
| He brought her coffee. | her | coffee |
| They sent us a postcard. | us | a postcard |
| I baked him a cake. | him | a cake |
| We found her a seat. | her | a seat |
| She left him a message. | him | a message |
| He owed me money. | me | money |
| They promised her a reward. | her | a reward |
| I envied him his success. | him | his success |
| We spared them the details. | them | the details |
| She wired him the funds. | him | the funds |
| He granted her a wish. | her | a wish |
The following table provides examples of sentences containing subject complements. Each sentence contains a linking verb, followed by a noun or adjective that describes or identifies the subject.
| Sentence | Subject Complement |
|---|---|
| She is a doctor. | a doctor |
| He seems happy. | happy |
| They are students. | students |
| It was a surprise. | a surprise |
| I am tired. | tired |
| We are friends. | friends |
| She became a teacher. | a teacher |
| He looked sad. | sad |
| They appear confident. | confident |
| It sounds interesting. | interesting |
| I feel sick. | sick |
| We remained silent. | silent |
| She turned pale. | pale |
| He grew old. | old |
| They stayed calm. | calm |
| It tastes delicious. | delicious |
| I am ready. | ready |
| We are late. | late |
| She is intelligent. | intelligent |
| He is a musician. | a musician |
| They are athletes. | athletes |
| It is important. | important |
| I am hungry. | hungry |
| We are excited. | excited |
| She is beautiful. | beautiful |
| He is tall. | tall |
| They are successful. | successful |
The following table provides examples of sentences containing object complements. Each sentence contains a complex transitive verb, followed by a direct object and an object complement that describes or identifies the direct object.
| Sentence | Direct Object | Object Complement |
|---|---|---|
| They elected him president. | him | president |
| She painted the door red. | the door | red |
| We consider him a friend. | him | a friend |
| He made her happy. | her | happy |
| They found the movie boring. | the movie | boring |
| She called her cat Mittens. | her cat | Mittens |
| He appointed her treasurer. | her | treasurer |
| They named the ship Voyager. | the ship | Voyager |
| She declared the meeting adjourned. | the meeting | adjourned |
| He considers himself lucky. | himself | lucky |
| They deemed the project successful. | the project | successful |
| She made the room cozy. | the room | cozy |
| He found the book interesting. | the book | interesting |
| They elected her captain. | her | captain |
| She painted the wall blue. | the wall | blue |
| He considers the task complete. | the task | complete |
| They made the garden beautiful. | the garden | beautiful |
| She found the experience rewarding. | the experience | rewarding |
| He called the play a masterpiece. | the play | a masterpiece |
| They appointed him chairman. | him | chairman |
| She named her daughter Lily. | her daughter | Lily |
| He declared the mission accomplished. | the mission | accomplished |
| They consider him a genius. | him | a genius |
| She made the presentation engaging. | the presentation | engaging |
| He found the solution simple. | the solution | simple |
The following table provides examples of sentences containing adverbial complements. Each sentence contains a verb followed by a phrase that provides essential information about location or time.
| Sentence | Adverbial Complement |
|---|---|
| He put the book on the table. | on the table |
| The meeting will be held next week. | next week |
| She lives in London. | in London |
| He arrived yesterday. | yesterday |
| They went to the park. | to the park |
| She works at the hospital. | at the hospital |
| He stayed at home. | at home |
| They are going abroad. | abroad |
| She will arrive tomorrow. | tomorrow |
| He placed the vase on the shelf. | on the shelf |
| The concert is tonight. | tonight |
| She works in the city. | in the city |
| He is waiting outside. | outside |
| They are traveling to Europe. | to Europe |
| She will leave soon. | soon |
| He kept the secret under wraps. | under wraps |
| The event takes place in June. | in June |
| She ran toward the exit. | toward the exit |
| He positioned himself near the door. | near the door |
| They scheduled the meeting for Monday. | for Monday |
| She is studying in the library. | in the library |
| He hid the money under the bed. | under the bed |
| They celebrated until dawn. | until dawn |
| She will return in an hour. | in an hour |
| He positioned the camera on a tripod. | on a tripod |
Usage Rules for Verb Complements
Using verb complements correctly involves understanding the specific rules that govern each type. These rules dictate the placement, form, and function of the complement within the sentence.
Adhering to these rules ensures grammatical accuracy and clarity of meaning. The following sections outline the key usage rules for each type of verb complement.
Direct Objects: Direct objects must follow transitive verbs. The verb’s action is directly transferred to the direct object. The direct object can be a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase. It answers the question “what?” or “whom?” after the verb. For example: “She ate *an apple*.”
Indirect Objects: Indirect objects precede the direct object in a sentence. They answer the question “to whom?” or “for whom?” after the verb. The indirect object can often be rephrased using a prepositional phrase with “to” or “for.” For example: “He gave *her* a flower” is the same as “He gave a flower to her.” Only ditransitive verbs can have indirect objects.
Subject Complements: Subject complements follow linking verbs and describe or identify the subject. They can be nouns, pronouns, or adjectives. The subject complement renames (predicate nominative) or describes (predicate adjective) the subject. For example: “She is *a teacher*.” (predicate nominative), “He seems *happy*.” (predicate adjective).
Object Complements: Object complements follow the direct object and describe or identify it. They can be nouns or adjectives. Object complements are used with complex transitive verbs. For example: “They elected him *president*.” (noun), “She painted the door *red*.” (adjective).
Adverbial Complements: Adverbial Complements are not as easily defined as other complements. They are essential to the meaning of the sentence. For example, you cannot say “He put the book”. You have to say “He put the book *on the table*”.
Common Mistakes with Verb Complements
Several common mistakes can occur when using verb complements. These errors often involve misidentifying the type of complement, incorrect word order, or using the wrong form of the complement.
Being aware of these common mistakes can help you avoid them and improve the accuracy of your writing and speaking.
Misidentifying Direct and Indirect Objects: Confusing direct and indirect objects is a common error. Remember that the direct object receives the action of the verb directly, while the indirect object receives the direct object. Incorrect: “She gave a book to him.” (Incorrect word order). Correct: “She gave him a book.”
Incorrect Use of Subject Complements: Using an adverb instead of an adjective as a subject complement is a frequent mistake. Remember that subject complements describe the subject, so they should be adjectives. Incorrect: “He seems *sadly*.” Correct: “He seems *sad*.”
Omitting Necessary Complements: Sometimes, learners omit essential complements, resulting in incomplete sentences. Transitive verbs require a direct object, and ditransitive verbs require both a direct and indirect object. Incorrect: “She gave.” Correct: “She gave him a book.”
Misplacing Object Complements: Object complements must follow the direct object. Placing them elsewhere in the sentence can lead to confusion. Incorrect: “They elected president him.” Correct: “They elected him president.”
Using Prepositional Phrases Incorrectly: Sometimes, learners use prepositional phrases where a direct or indirect object is required, or vice versa. Incorrect: “He gave to her the book.” Correct: “He gave her the book.”
Practice Exercises
These practice exercises will help you solidify your understanding of verb complements. Each exercise focuses on a different aspect of verb complement usage, allowing you to apply the rules and concepts discussed in this article.
Answers are provided at the end of each exercise to help you check your work and identify areas where you may need further practice.
Exercise 1: Identifying Direct Objects
Identify the direct object in each of the following sentences:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. The cat caught a mouse. | a mouse |
| 2. She reads novels. | novels |
| 3. He kicked the ball. | the ball |
| 4. They built a house. | a house |
| 5. I drank coffee. | coffee |
| 6. We watched the game. | the game |
| 7. She wrote a letter. | a letter |
| 8. He drives a car. | a car |
| 9. They sell books. | books |
| 10. I like music. | music |
Exercise 2: Identifying Indirect Objects
Identify the indirect object in each of the following sentences:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. She gave him a gift. | him |
| 2. He told me a story. | me |
| 3. They sent her flowers. | her |
| 4. I bought them tickets. | them |
| 5. We lent her money. | her |
| 6. She showed him the picture. | him |
| 7. They offered us help. | us |
| 8. He read her a poem. | her |
| 9. I made him dinner. | him |
| 10. We wrote them a letter. | them |
Exercise 3: Identifying Subject Complements
Identify the subject complement in each of the following sentences:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. She is a teacher. | a teacher |
| 2. He seems happy. | happy |
| 3. They are students. | students |
| 4. It was a surprise. | a surprise |
| 5. I am tired. | tired |
| 6. We are friends. | friends |
| 7. She became a doctor. | a doctor |
| 8. He looked sad. | sad |
| 9. They appear confident. | confident |
| 10. It sounds interesting. | interesting |
Exercise 4: Identifying Object Complements
Identify the object complement in each of the following sentences:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. They elected him president. | president |
| 2. She painted the door red. | red |
| 3. We consider him a friend. | a friend |
| 4. He made her happy. | happy |
| 5. They found the movie boring. | boring |
| 6. She called her cat Mittens. | Mittens |
| 7. He appointed her treasurer. | treasurer |
| 8. They named the ship Voyager. | Voyager |
| 9. She declared the meeting adjourned. | adjourned |
| 10. He considers himself lucky. | lucky |
Exercise 5: Identifying Adverbial Complements
Identify the adverbial complement in each of the following sentences:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. He put the book on the table. | on the table |
| 2. The meeting will be held next week. | next week |
| 3. She lives in London. | in London |
| 4. He arrived yesterday. | yesterday |
| 5. They went to the park. | to the park |
| 6. She works at the hospital. | at the hospital |
| 7. He stayed at home. | at home |
| 8. They are going abroad. | abroad |
| 9. She will arrive tomorrow. | tomorrow |
| 10. He placed the vase on the shelf. | on the shelf |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, the study of verb complements can extend to more complex areas of grammar. These include understanding the nuances of complement clauses, the use of gerunds and infinitives as complements, and the role of verb complements in different sentence structures.
Exploring these advanced topics can further refine your understanding of verb complements and enhance your ability to use them effectively in sophisticated writing and speech.
Complement Clauses: A complement clause is a clause that functions as a complement within a sentence. It can act as a direct object, subject complement, or object complement. For example: “She said *that she was tired*.” (direct object clause), “The problem is *that we have no money*.” (subject complement clause). Understanding how to use complement clauses correctly is crucial for constructing complex sentences.
Gerunds and Infinitives as Complements: Gerunds (verb + -ing) and infinitives (to + verb) can also function as verb complements. For example: “He enjoys *reading*.” (gerund as direct object), “She wants *to travel*.” (infinitive as direct object). Certain verbs are typically followed by gerunds, while others are followed by infinitives. Learning these patterns is essential for correct usage.
Verb Complements in Different Sentence Structures: Verb complements play a crucial role in various sentence structures, including simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences. Understanding how complements function in each type of sentence can help you create more varied and sophisticated writing. For example, complex sentences often use complement clauses to add detail and complexity
to the main idea.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section addresses some frequently asked questions about verb complements, providing clear and concise answers to common queries. Understanding these FAQs can help clarify any remaining uncertainties and further solidify your knowledge of verb complements.
Q: What is the difference between a verb complement and a verb modifier?
A: A verb complement is essential to complete the meaning of the verb, while a verb modifier (usually an adverb or adverbial phrase) provides additional information about how, when, where, or why the action occurred, but is not essential to the verb’s core meaning. For example, in “She reads books” (books is a complement) vs.
“She reads quickly” (quickly is a modifier).
Q: Can a verb have more than one complement?
A: Yes, some verbs, such as ditransitive verbs, can have two complements: a direct object and an indirect object. For example, “He gave her a book.”
Q: Are prepositional phrases ever verb complements?
A: Yes, prepositional phrases can function as adverbial complements when they are essential to the meaning of the verb, especially concerning location or time. For example, “He put the book on the table.”
Q: How can I identify the type of verb complement in a sentence?
A: To identify the type of verb complement, ask questions like “what?” or “whom?” after the verb to find the direct object, “to whom?” or “for whom?” to find the indirect object, and look for linking verbs followed by nouns or adjectives that describe the subject (subject complements) or direct objects followed by nouns or adjectives that describe them (object complements).
Q: What are linking verbs, and why are they important for subject complements?
A: Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a noun or adjective that describes or renames the subject. They are important because they require a subject complement to complete their meaning. Common linking verbs include be, seem, become, appear, feel, look, smell, and taste.
Conclusion
Mastering verb complements is essential for constructing clear, grammatically correct, and meaningful sentences in English. By understanding the different types of verb complements—direct objects, indirect objects, subject complements, object complements, and adverbial complements—and following the usage rules that govern them, you can significantly enhance your writing and speaking abilities.
This comprehensive guide has provided you with the knowledge, examples, and practice exercises needed to confidently use verb complements in various contexts.
Continue to practice identifying and using verb complements in your daily communication to further solidify your understanding. Pay attention to the sentence structures you encounter in reading and listening, and consciously apply the principles discussed in this article.
With consistent effort, you will master verb complements and elevate your overall command of the English language.