Mastering Verb Complements: The Hidden Grammar Rules That Transform Your English Writing
Mastering Verb Complements: The Hidden Grammar Rules That Transform Your English Writing
Discover the essential grammar concept that native speakers use instinctively but rarely understand consciously. Master verb complements to elevate your English from good to exceptional.
Why Verb Complements Matter More Than You Think
Every day, you use verb complements without realizing it. When you say "I am happy," "She became a doctor," or "The soup tastes delicious," you're employing one of English grammar's most fundamental yet misunderstood concepts. Understanding verb complements isn't just academic knowledge—it's the key to writing with precision, clarity, and natural flow.
This comprehensive guide will transform your understanding of how English sentences work at their core, giving you the tools to construct more sophisticated and grammatically sound expressions in both speech and writing.
Understanding Verb Complements: The Foundation of English Sentence Structure
A verb complement is a word or phrase that completes the meaning of a verb. Unlike objects, which receive the action of a verb, complements provide essential information about the subject or object, making the sentence grammatically complete and meaningful.
Consider These Examples:
The complement "a talented musician" doesn't receive action from the verb "is"—instead, it describes or identifies the subject "Sarah." This fundamental difference distinguishes complements from direct objects and forms the backbone of English sentence construction.
Verb complements work with specific types of verbs called linking verbs, which connect the subject to additional information rather than expressing action. This relationship creates a bridge between the subject and its description, identification, or state of being.
The Two Essential Types of Verb Complements
1. Subject Complements
Subject complements provide information about the subject of the sentence. They appear after linking verbs and either rename or describe the subject.
Examples:
- • "The winner is John." (renames)
- • "The coffee smells wonderful." (describes)
- • "She became a lawyer." (identifies)
2. Object Complements
Object complements provide information about the direct object of the sentence. They appear after certain transitive verbs and describe or rename the object.
Examples:
- • "We elected him president." (renames object)
- • "The news made her happy." (describes object)
- • "They painted the house blue." (describes object)
The distinction between these two types is crucial for understanding sentence structure. Subject complements work with linking verbs to complete information about the subject, while object complements work with specific transitive verbs to complete information about the direct object.
Interactive Challenge: Identify the Complement Type
Sentence: "The committee appointed Maria chairperson."
What type of complement is "chairperson"?
Linking Verbs: The Bridge to Understanding Complements
Linking verbs are the foundation of subject complements. Unlike action verbs that show what the subject does, linking verbs show what the subject is, becomes, or seems like. They create a connection between the subject and its complement, forming a complete thought.
Categories of Linking Verbs
Being Verbs
- • am, is, are
- • was, were
- • being, been
Becoming Verbs
- • become, became
- • grow, turn
- • get, go
Seeming Verbs
- • seem, appear
- • look, sound
- • feel, taste, smell
Linking Verbs in Action:
Being: "The solution is effective."
The complement "effective" describes what the solution is.
Becoming: "The weather turned cold."
The complement "cold" describes what the weather became.
Seeming: "The proposal sounds reasonable."
The complement "reasonable" describes how the proposal seems.
Understanding linking verbs is essential because they signal when a complement is needed. If you can substitute "is," "are," "was," or "were" for the verb and the sentence still makes sense, you're likely dealing with a linking verb that requires a complement.
Predicate Nominatives vs. Predicate Adjectives: The Two Faces of Subject Complements
Subject complements come in two distinct forms, each serving a specific grammatical function. Understanding the difference between predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives will help you construct more precise and varied sentences.
Predicate Nominatives
Nouns or pronouns that rename or identify the subject. They answer "who" or "what" the subject is.
Examples:
- • "Shakespeare was a playwright."
- • "The winner is she."
- • "My goal became financial independence."
Predicate Adjectives
Adjectives that describe or modify the subject. They answer "what kind" or "which one" about the subject.
Examples:
- • "The presentation was impressive."
- • "The children seem excited."
- • "The situation appears complicated."
Key Distinction Strategy
To determine whether you're dealing with a predicate nominative or predicate adjective, ask yourself:
- Can I substitute "=" for the linking verb? If yes, it's likely a predicate nominative.
- Does the complement describe a quality or characteristic? If yes, it's likely a predicate adjective.
Example: "Maria is the manager" → "Maria = the manager" ✓ (Predicate Nominative)
Example: "Maria is talented" → "Maria = talented" ✗ (Predicate Adjective)
Practice Exercise: Classify the Complements
Sentence: "The new employee seems very competent."
What type of complement is "very competent"?
Object Complements: Completing the Picture for Direct Objects
Object complements work differently from subject complements. They appear after certain transitive verbs and provide essential information about the direct object, either renaming it or describing it. Without the object complement, these sentences would feel incomplete or unclear.
Common Verbs That Take Object Complements
Verbs of Making/Causing
- • make, render, drive
- • keep, leave, find
- • consider, think, believe
Verbs of Naming/Choosing
- • name, call, label
- • elect, appoint, choose
- • declare, proclaim, crown
Object Complements in Context:
"The board elected Sarah treasurer."
Object: Sarah | Object Complement: treasurer (renames Sarah)
"The criticism made him angry."
Object: him | Object Complement: angry (describes him)
"We consider the project a success."
Object: the project | Object Complement: a success (renames the project)
The key to identifying object complements is recognizing that they complete the meaning of the sentence by providing essential information about what happened to the direct object as a result of the verb's action. Remove the object complement, and the sentence becomes incomplete or unclear.
Avoiding Common Verb Complement Mistakes
Even advanced English speakers and writers make mistakes with verb complements. Understanding these common errors will help you avoid them and write with greater precision and confidence.
Mistake #1: Confusing Complements with Objects
❌ Incorrect Thinking:
"In 'She is a teacher,' 'teacher' is the direct object."
✅ Correct Understanding:
"'Teacher' is a predicate nominative (subject complement) that renames 'she.'"
Remember: Linking verbs don't take direct objects—they take complements.
Mistake #2: Misusing Adjectives and Adverbs
❌ Incorrect:
"The soup tastes badly."
(Using adverb instead of adjective)
✅ Correct:
"The soup tastes bad."
(Using adjective as predicate adjective)
Remember: After linking verbs, use adjectives (not adverbs) to describe the subject.
Mistake #3: Incomplete Object Complement Constructions
❌ Incomplete:
"The committee appointed Sarah."
(Missing essential information)
✅ Complete:
"The committee appointed Sarah chairperson."
(Object complement completes the meaning)
Remember: Some verbs require object complements to complete their meaning.
Advanced Applications: Using Verb Complements for Sophisticated Writing
Mastering verb complements opens doors to more sophisticated and varied sentence structures. Professional writers use these constructions to create emphasis, variety, and precision in their prose.
Professional Writing Techniques
1. Creating Emphasis Through Complement Placement
Standard: "The solution is effective and practical."
Emphatic: "Effective and practical—that's what the solution is."
2. Varying Sentence Structure with Different Linking Verbs
Basic: "The proposal is good."
Varied: "The proposal seems promising, appears well-researched, and sounds feasible."
3. Using Object Complements for Concise Expression
Wordy: "The board made a decision to elect Sarah as the new treasurer."
Concise: "The board elected Sarah treasurer."
Before and After: Professional Revision
Before (Basic):
"The meeting was long. The discussion was heated. The participants were tired. The outcome was unclear."
After (Using Varied Complements):
"The meeting proved lengthy, the discussion grew heated, participants became increasingly tired, and the outcome remained frustratingly unclear."
Notice how varied linking verbs and strategic complement placement create more engaging, professional prose.
Final Mastery Check
Complex Sentence: "The committee found the candidate's presentation impressive and elected her spokesperson."
How many complements are in this sentence, and what types are they?
Mastery Achieved: Your Next Steps
You've now gained a comprehensive understanding of verb complements—one of English grammar's most essential yet overlooked concepts. This knowledge will transform your writing from good to exceptional, giving you the tools to construct more sophisticated, precise, and engaging sentences.
What You've Learned
- • The fundamental difference between complements and objects
- • How to identify and use subject complements effectively
- • The role of linking verbs in complement constructions
- • Object complements and their specific applications
- • Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- • Advanced techniques for professional writing
Practice Recommendations
- • Analyze sentences in your favorite books for complement usage
- • Practice varying your linking verbs in daily writing
- • Experiment with object complement constructions
- • Review and revise old writing using these new techniques
- • Pay attention to complement usage in professional communications
- • Challenge yourself to use different complement types weekly
Remember: Great writing isn't just about what you say—it's about how you structure your thoughts.
Verb complements are your secret weapon for creating clear, sophisticated, and engaging prose that stands out in any context.
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