At a glance
Complements
- Subject complementdescribes the subject (after a linking verb)
- nounShe is a doctor.
- adjectiveHe looks tired.
- Object complementdescribes the object
- nounThey made him captain.
- adjectiveThe news made her happy.
- Start
- Is it the same person or thing as the subject? (she = a doctor)YesSubject complementShe became a doctor.
- Does it describe the object? (him = captain)YesObject complementThey chose him captain.
- ObjectShe met a doctor. (two people)
Linking verbs
Linking verbs do not show an action. They link the subject to a word that describes it.
Linking verbs
Subject complement
She is a doctor. (she = a doctor)
You look tired.
The caterpillar became a butterfly.
Object complement
The animals made the lion king.
We painted the door red.
They elected him captain.
The good news made her happy.
Object or complement?
She met a doctor. (object: two people)
She is a doctor. (complement: one person)
Place and time complements
Some verbs need a place or a time to be complete: The meeting is at five. She put the book on the shelf. These are adverbials. Without them, the sentence is not finished.
Practice
Answer the questions. Get 7 out of 10 to finish this lesson.