Parts Of Speech Questions Long
Subject complements and object complements are both types of complements in a sentence, but they serve different grammatical functions.
Subject complements are words or phrases that follow a linking verb and provide additional information about the subject of the sentence. They can be either adjectives or nouns. Subject complements rename or describe the subject, and they are usually found in sentences with linking verbs such as "be," "become," "seem," or "appear." For example:
- She is a doctor. (The noun phrase "a doctor" renames the subject "she.")
- He seems tired. (The adjective "tired" describes the subject "he.")
Object complements, on the other hand, are words or phrases that follow a direct object and provide additional information about the object. They can also be either adjectives or nouns. Object complements modify or complete the meaning of the direct object. Object complements are typically found in sentences with transitive verbs, which require a direct object. For example:
- They elected him president. (The noun phrase "president" renames the direct object "him.")
- We painted the walls blue. (The adjective "blue" describes the direct object "the walls.")
In summary, subject complements provide information about the subject of the sentence and follow linking verbs, while object complements provide information about the direct object and follow transitive verbs. Both types of complements play a crucial role in adding detail and enhancing the meaning of a sentence.