Subject And Object Complement

A part of sentence that gives more information about the subject, or, in some other structures, about the object.

Subject Complement

Some clauses consist of a subject, the verb be, and an expression that describes the subject.

She was the first person to arrive.
He looked tired.
She is a journalist.
They were very excited.
The milk turned sour.

The expression that describes the subject in clauses like these is often called a subject complement. Subject complements can follow not only be, but also other copular verbs like look, seem, turn and become.

Object complement

An object complement is a phrase which follows a direct object and either modifies that object or denotes something identical to it.

They elected him their leader.
The jury found him guilty.
He called me a liar.
God called the light day.
You make me nervous.

Words and expressions that complete the meaning of a noun, verb, preposition or adjective are also called complements.

I am interested in learning to fly.
She is fond of ice cream.
The cat is on the roof.
Let us get a bottle of wine.

Manjusha Nambiar

Hi, I am Manjusha. This is my blog where I give English grammar lessons and worksheets.

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