Object Complement - A Thorough Guide

As the name suggests, an object complement is a word or phrase that completes an object used in the predicate part of a sentence. Object complements give us more information about the object of the sentence as well as complete its meaning. 

Continue to read to learn each and every aspect of object complements in this article and learn the object complement definition, types, functions and examples.

 

This article aims to provide:

• Definition of object complement 
• Types of object complement 
• Functions of object complement
• Object complement vs. subject complement 
• Object complement vs. direct object
• Examples of object complement

Object Complement - Meaning and Definition 

What does an object complement mean? An object complement means a word or phrase [such as nouns, adjectives, noun phrases, adjective phrases and relative clauses] that completes a direct object by means of identifying or describing it.

What is an object complement in English grammar by definition? An object complement is defined as any word or group of words that follows a direct object and completes the direct object by means of identifying, renaming or describing it.

 

Object complements are used after some certain verbs which carry the meaning of "creating," "naming," or "considering." We'll discuss those common verbs later on in this article. Also note that object complements give us fuller description, detail and clarification about the direct objects which enriches both your writing and speaking skills in English. 

What does an object complement do? An object complement basically makes a sentence more precise, detailed and informative by means of identifying, renaming or describing the direct object.

According to the definition above, we can summarize that an object complement:

1. is any word or phrase [usually nouns, noun phrases, adjectives, adjective phrases and relative clauses]

2. is used after some certain verbs such as "make," "create," or "name."

3. does the task of identifying, renaming or describing a direct object

4. enriches a sentence by means of giving fuller detail and clarification about a direct object

5. enhances both your writing and speaking skills.

Examples of Object Complements in Sentences 

Here are a few example sentences of object complements in English grammar. Look at them very carefully. You'll find that nouns, noun phrases, adjectives, adjective phrases and relative clauses have been used as object complements in the following examples. [note that the direct objects are italicized and object complements are in bold.)

a. I named my son John. (the proper noun "John" = object complement which identifies the direct object "my son")

b. They called him a liar. (The noun phrase "a liar" = object complement which identifies the direct object "him")

c. She considers John a fool. (the noun phrase "a fool" = object complement which identifies the direct object "John")

d. My hard work made me what I am today. (The relative clause "what I am today" = object complement which completes the direct object "me")

e. A teacher makes you a better person. (The noun phrase "a better person" = object complement which identifies the direct object "you")

f. You made me happy. (the adjective "happy" = object complement which describes the direct object "me")

g. We find her worthy of the job. (the adjective phrase "worthy of the job" = object complement which describes the direct object "her")

h. I found the essay fairly difficult. (the adjective phrase "fairly difficult" = object complement which describes the direct object "the essay")

Types of Object Complements in English

Different types of words, phrases and clauses can function as object complements in English such as nouns, noun phrases, adjectives, adjective phrases, participle phrases, relative clauses, gerund phrases and infinitive phrases. Here are the most common 8 types of object complements in English grammar.

1. Nouns as Object Complements:

A noun object complement renames or identifies the direct object. It is a single noun used as an object complement. [note that the direct objects are italicized and object complements are in bold in the following examples.)

For examples:

a. They elected John leader. ("leader" = noun object complement; "John" = direct object)

b. I named the dog cracker. ("cracker" = noun object complement; "the dog" = direct object)

c. He considers me a fool. ("a fool" = noun object complement; "me" = direct object)

2. Noun Phrases as Object Complements:

A noun phrase, a group of words whose head word is a noun, is also used as an object complement. 

For examples:

a. He made me a better person. ("a better person" = noun phrase as object complement; "me" = direct object)

b. The students elected John class leader. ("class leader" = noun phrase as object complement; "John" = direct object) 

c. The workers consider Smith their true representative. ("their true representative" = noun phrase as object complement; "Smith" = direct object)

3. Adjectives as Object Complements:

An adjective object complement describes the direct object, providing additional information about its qualities or state.

For examples:

a. The judges found her innocent. ("innocent" = adjective as object complement; "her" = direct object)

b. I'll paint my office green. ("green" = adjective as object complement; "my office" = direct object)

c. The company found him able. ("able" = adjective as object complement; "him" = direct object)

4. Adjective Phrases as Object Complements:

Adjective phrases, a group of words whose head word is an adjective, can function as an object complement.

For examples:

a. The company found her worthy of the position. ("worthy of the position" = adjective phrase as object complement; "her" = direct object)

b. The judges declared him guilty of the crime. ("guilty of the crime" = adjective phrase as object complement; "him" = direct object)

c. They painted their house light blue. ("light blue" = adjective phrase as object complement; "their house" = direct object)

5. Relative Clause as object complement:

 A relative clause, a group of words containing a subject and predicate and describing and giving more information about a noun or pronoun, can also be used as an object complement.

For examples:

a. Hard work made me what I am today. ("what I am today" = relative clause as object complement; "me" direct object)

b. I like the room that's painted blue. ("that's painted blue" = relative clause as object complement; "the room" = direct object)

c. I can't tell the person who doesn't listen to me. ("who doesn't listen to me" = relative clause as object complement; "the person" = direct object)

6. Gerund Phrase as Object Complement: 

A gerund or gerund phrase, verb+ing, can also act as an object complement and give us more information about an object in a sentence.

For examples:

a. She found him stealing the money. ("stealing the money" = gerund phrase as object complement; "him" = direct object)

b. I found her sleeping in the office. ("sleeping in the office" = gerund phrase as object complement; "her" = direct object)

c. They caught him helping the criminal. ("helping the criminal" = gerund phrase as object complement; "him" = direct object)

7. Infinitive Phrase as Object Complement: 

An infinitive phrase, a group of words whose head word is an infinitive, can function as an object complement and give us more information about an object within a sentence.

For examples:

a. He wants me to be his spoken English tutor. ("to be his spoken English tutor" = infinitive as object complement; "me" = direct object)

b. I want you to be my spiritual guru. ("to be my spiritual guru" = infinitive as object complement; "you" = direct object)

c. I encourage you to be an online tutor. ("to be an online tutor" = infinitive as object complement; "you" = direct object)

8. Participial Phrases as Object Complements:

A participial phrase, a group of words usually ending in -ing [present participle] and in -ed [past participle], can also do the task of an object complement and give us more information about an object in the sentence.

For examples:

a. I saw the cat bleeding. ("bleeding" present participle as object complement; "the cat" = direct object)

b. I like the argument presented. ("presented" = past participle as object complement; "the argument" = direct object) 

c. I take the medicine prescribed. ("prescribed" = past participle as object complement; "the medicine" = direct object)

Functions of Object Complements in English

There're basically three major functions played by an object complement in English grammar. Here're the three functions of object complements in English grammar with example sentences: 

1. Provide Identification:

When we use object complements, they help us identify the direct object used in the sentence by means of renaming or classifying it.

For example:

• They named him captain Jack Sparrow. ("him" = direct object; "captain Jack Sparrow" = object complement)

2. Describe Characteristics of the Subject:

Object complements describe the characteristics of the direct objects, their qualities, or state, giving more information about the object.

For example:

The manager considered the new project successful. ("the new project" = direct object; "successful" = adjective as object complement)

3. Complete the Overall Meaning of Sentence:

Object complements complete the overall meaning of the sentences in which they're used, making the sentences more and more informative. Without object complements, the sentences become incomplete. 

For example:

• My teacher made me a better person. "me" = direct object; "a better person" = object complement which completes the meaning of the sentence.)

Most Common Verbs with Object Complements

There're certain verbs that are followed by object complements; that is, the object complements are used after some certain verbs. These common verbs are related to the actions of "making," "naming," "thinking," "considering," etc. Here're some of the verbs that are most commonly used with object complements:

1. Make: 

Example: You really made me happy. ("me" = direct object; "happy" = object complement)

2. Name:

Example: I named my dog Max. ("my dog" = direct object; "Max" = object complement)

3. Elect: 

Example: The class students elected John class representative. ("John" = direct object; "class representative" = object complement) 

4. Consider:

Example: John considered the project easy. ("the project" = direct object; "easy" = object complement)

5. Find: 

Example: The judges found him guilty. ("him" = direct object; "guilty" = object complement)

6. Call:

Example: They called the situation urgent. ("the situation" = direct object; "urgent" = object complement)

7. Appoint: 

Example: The department appointed John assistant professor. ("John" = direct object; "assistant professor" = object complement)

Comparing Object Complements with Other Elements

The students of English grammar get confused with regards to the use of object complements when looking at the word "complement" with subject complement. Similarly, They confuse adverbs and adjectives with adjective object complements; therefore, it becomes essential to differentiate object complements from other words such as adjectives, adverbs and subject complements. 

1. Object Complement vs Direct Object:

An object complement identifies or describes a direct object, whereas a direct object receives the action performed by the subject of a sentence.

Compare the object complement with the direct object below:

Example of Object Complement:

• He painted his office yellow. ("yellow" = object complement which describes the direct object "his office")

Example of Direct Object:

• I have eaten the apple. ("the apple" = direct object which receives the action of "eating" performed by the subject "I")

2. Object Complement vs Subject Complement:

An object complement is used after a direct object, and it gives us more information about the direct object, whereas a subject complement is used after a linking verb, and it gives us more information about the subject of the sentence.

Example of Object Complement:

• We found him innocent. ("innocent" = object complement used after the direct object "him")

Example of Subject Complement:

• John is innocent. ("innocent" subject complement used after the linking verb "is")

3. Adjectives Modifying Nouns vs Adjective Object Complements:

Adjectives modifying nouns are different from the adjectives that are used as object complements. Adjectives modifying nouns are generally used before the words they modify, whereas adjectives used as object complements are the adjectives that are used after direct objects. (Note that the adjectives are in bold and the modified words are italicized in the following examples.)

Example of Adjective Modifying Noun:

• My new bike is very fast. ("new" = adjective modifying the noun used before the noun it modifies: "bike")

Example of Adjective Used as Object Complement:

• They painted the bike blue. ("blue" = object complement used after the direct object it modifies: "the bike") 

4. Object Complements vs Adverbs: 

An object complement completes the direct object, whereas an adverb modifies a verb, adjective or another adverb.

Example of Object Complement:

• I called the man a fool. ("a fool" = object complement completing the direct object "the man")

Example of Adverb:

• I called the man yesterday. ("yesterday" = adverb modifying the verb "called")

Summary: Object Complement

Object complements are used after the direct objects about which they give additional information. Object complements either rename or describe the direct objects used after them. 

Mastering object complements is essential for all level learners of English, as the object complements make sentences clearer, more concise and more informative by means of identifying or describing the direct objects. 

Understanding object complements, their types and their functions helps you make your sentences more efficient and effective and more accurate and meaningful.