What Is an Object Complement? (with Examples)
An object complement is a noun, a pronoun, or an adjective which follows a direct object to rename it or state what it has become.
Verbs of making (e.g., to make, to create) or naming (e.g., to name, to call, to elect) often attract an object complement.
In the examples below, the object complements are italicised and the direct objects are in bold.
- To make her happy
- To name her Heidi
However, lots of verbs can take an object complement. For example:
- To consider someone stupid
- To paint something purple
- To catch somebody stealing
Examples of Object Complements
Here are some more examples of object complements:
- I found the guard sleeping.
- We all consider her unworthy.
- I declare this centre open.
- We consider fish spoiled once it smells like what it is.
- To obtain a man’s opinion of you, make him mad. (Oliver Wendell Holmes, 1809-1894)
An object complement is not always one word. It could be a phrase. For example:
- I found the guard sleeping in the barn.
- We all consider her unworthy of the position.
See Subject Complements for more detailed information
Exercise
| QA | A: He made her a cake.
B: He made her happy. |
| QB | I found the report lacking in detail. |
| QC | A: I want to paint my walls yellow.
B: The yellow walls brighten up the room. |
| Q1 | ______ | QA: Select the sentence with an object complement. (A or B) |
| Q2 | ________________ | QB: Select the object complement: |
| Q3 | ______ | QC: Select the sentence with an object complement. (A or B) |
Home I Subject Complements I Grammar Lessons
AGH / Feb 2020