COMPLEMENTS
A complement is a word or group of words
that says something about the subject or object of a sentence. A complement is
always a noun or an adjective.
a) Subject Complement says something
about the subject of the sentence, for example what the subject is or what it
is like:
Example:
- I am a
handsome man.
- She was so
tired after working all day in the garden.
- Three years
later he became a good teacher.
- Her daughter
seems very happy in her new job.
- They felt really
stupid when they saw what they had done.
NOTE:
Ø A word or a group
of words can be a subject complement even if there is not expressed subject in
the sentence (the case with imperative sentences).
Example:
- Don’t be so
silly!
- Please stay calm.
Ø In exclamatory
sentences, the subject complement often precedes the subject and verb rather
than following them.
Example:
- What a lovely day it is!
- How stupid you are!
b) Object Complement says something
about the direct object of a sentence:
Example:
- They made him chairman.
- Someday I will prove you wrong.
- We always thought her very reliable.
- They’ve painted the walls green.
- They always call me William.
NOTE: It is important to
distinguish between sentences containing a direct object and an indirect object
and sentences with a direct object and an object complement.
Ø
A direct object and an object complement refer to the same person or
thing:
Example:
- They elected Mr. Vannak chairman.
- The government appointed Mr. Hong
Udom the provincial governor.
Ø
A direct object and an indirect object refer to two different people or
things:
Example:
- She lent me her new pen.
- Did you show her the photos?