An Objective Complement is a noun, pronoun, or adjective that immediately follows and modifies or refers to a direct object, completing the sentence's core meaning. Understanding how to structure these elements properly prevents misplaced words and ensures grammatical accuracy in both spoken and written English.
What is an Objective Complement?
In English syntax, certain transitive verbs require more than just a direct object to complete their meaning. When a noun (or anything equivalent to a noun) or an adjective comes directly after an object to rename, describe, or qualify it, that word is known as an objective complement.
Consider these standard English examples:
- People called him a genius. (Here, "a genius" qualifies the direct object "him").
- He struck the cat dead. (Here, the adjective "dead" describes the state of the direct object "the cat").
Where Should You Place an Objective Complement?
A common grammatical error in sentence construction is placing the objective complement before the direct object. An objective complement must never precede its object; it must always follow the direct object it modifies.
| Incorrect Placement (Wrong) | Correct Placement (Right) |
|---|---|
| He declared dead the patient. | He declared the patient dead. |
| We elected captain him. | We elected him captain. |
Can an Objective Complement Act as a Subject?
Even if an objective complement is a noun, it cannot function as the subject of a sentence in its active form. Attempting to convert it into a subject directly results in a grammatically broken sentence structure.
- Wrong: A genius was called him by people.
- Right: People called him a genius.
How Do Objective Complements Change in Passive Voice?
When you transform an active voice sentence containing an objective complement into the passive voice, the structural role of the complement changes. The active voice's objective complement transitions into a subjective complement, and its new position is immediately after the passive verb.
Examine this transformation rule:
- Active Voice: They called him a fool. ("a fool" is the objective complement)
- Passive Voice: He was called a fool. ("a fool" is now the subjective complement following the passive verb "was called").
Key Takeaways
- An objective complement modifies or renames the direct object.
- It must never be placed before the direct object.
- In passive voice constructions, an objective complement shifts to become a subjective complement placed after the passive verb.
- Maintaining strict word order prevents misplaced words errors.
Quick Practice
Test your understanding of objective complements by dropping your answers in the comments below:
- Identify and correct the error: "The committee appointed chairman him."
- Convert this sentence into the passive voice: "The paint turned the front door green."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between a direct object and an objective complement?
A direct object receives the action of the verb (e.g., "him" in "We elected him"), while an objective complement renames or describes that direct object to complete the thought (e.g., "captain" in "We elected him captain").
Can an adjective serve as an objective complement?
Yes. Adjectives frequently function as objective complements to describe the resulting state of the direct object, such as "dead" in "He struck the cat dead" or "green" in "She painted the wall green."
Why do objective complements become subjective complements in passive voice?
Because the direct object of the active sentence moves to become the subject of the passive sentence, any word that was complementing that direct object now relates back to the new subject as a subjective complement.