A complement is a word or group of words that describes or renames a subject, an object, or a verb. There are two types of complements: subject complements and object complements.  A \complement\ is marked with back slashes.

A subject complement is a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and remains the subject. It can be an adjective (known as a predicate adjective) or a noun (known as a predicate nominative).

The service was \great\.  (Adjective Complement: great) service = great

Jack Gray was a \writer\.  (Noun Complement: writer) Jack Gray = wirter

An object complement is a word or phrase that describes or renames a direct object.  Object complements can be either adjectives or nouns: We called our back yard the base \camp\. Yard is the direct object and camp is the complement. yard = base camp

Note: You will learn about objects and adjectives as you take the course.

Other Examples:

In “The men are \soldiers\.”    \soldiers\ is a complement.

In “The pie is \hot\.”    \hot\ is a complement.

In “Mrs. Jones is a [good] \teacher\.”    \teacher\ is a complement.

 When trying to decide whether a noun is used as a predicate nominative complement, replace the verb with equals (=).  If the sentence still makes sense, just as it did before, you have a predicate nominative.

Examples:

My dad is a \golfer\.   Dad=golfer; \golfer\ is a complement.

Predicate nominatives, like subjects, may be compound.

Examples:

Jack is a good \coach\ but only an average \player\.

My brother is a basketball \player\, an \engineer\, and a Red Sox \fan\.

 A verb, whose object is a predicate nominative, is a linking verb.  The verb links the subject and the predicate nominative together. Linking verbs used with  a predicate nominatives includes the following helping verbs: is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been. Also, the linking verbs become, seem, and appear can be used with predicate nominatives.

Examples:

George became a \doctor\.  The waiter became a \dentist\.

A pronoun may also be a predicate nominative, comment.  The tutor was \he\.

Exercise, Lesson 3

Instructions: Read, study, and memorize the key teaching points in this exercise. When you can recall and discuss the information with understanding, take the test.

What to learn about complements:

1.A complement is a word or a group of words that describes or renames a subject, an object, or a verb.

2.There are two types of complements: subject complements and object complements.  A \complement\ is marked using back slashes.

3.A subject complement is a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and renames the subject. It can be an adjective (known as a predicate adjective) or a noun (known as a predicate nominative).

4.An object complement is a word or phrase that describes or renames a direct object.

5.  Object complements can be either adjectives or nouns.

6.When trying to decide whether a noun is used as a predicate nominative, replace the verb with equals (=).  If the sentence still makes sense, just as it did before, you have a predicate nominative.

My dad is a \golfer\.                                                      

Dad=golfer; \golfer\ is a predicate nominative complement.

7.Predicate nominative, like subjects, may be compound.

8.A verb, whose object is a predicate nominative, is a linking verb.  A linking verb links or joins the subject and the predicate nominative.

9.Linking verbs used with predicate nominative are the following helping verbs: is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been. Also, the linking verbs become, seem, and appear can be used with predicate nominatives.

10.A pronoun may also be a predicate nominative.

The tutor was \he\.

Lesson 3, Test

Instructions: Write the sentences on a separate sheet of paper and answer all the questions.

1.What is a complement and how is it marked?

2.What are the two types of complements? 

3.What does a subject complement do in a sentence?

4.What does an object complement do in a sentence?

5.Which parts of speech make up object complements?

6.  How do you determine if a noun is used as a predicate nominative?

7.Write two sentences using compound predicate nominatives.

8.How is a linking verb used with a predicate nominative verb?

9.Give examples of linking verbs used with predicate nominatives?

10.Write two sentences using compound predicate nominatives.

11.Write two sentences with pronouns as predicate nominatives.

Instructions: Mark the verbs, subjects, and complements in the following sentences.

1.He was finishing his report {when we arrived at his house}.

2.She became irritated {during the discussion}.

3.The new club members are Terry, Shirley, and Lucy.

4.Our mail carrier has been a minister {for many years}.

5.That man [from the insurance] company is an impostor.

6.The police chief is also a member [of our board] [of directors].

7.Jean has been {in the Christmas play} three years straight.

8.The best shooters [on the team] are Larry, Lee, and Henry.

9.We get our vegetables {from the market} {down the street}.

10.Sue is a good cook, housekeeper, and homemaker.