- Definition:
- A complement is a word or group of words that completes the meaning of the subject and the verb in a sentence. It provides additional information about the subject or the object.
- Characteristics:
- Complements are essential components of sentences, as they help clarify the relationship between the subject, the verb, and other elements.
- They can come in various forms, including nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, or prepositional phrases.
- Complements can be mandatory or optional, depending on the verb and its requirements.
- Types of Complements:
- Subject Complement: A word or phrase that follows a linking verb and provides additional information about the subject, such as its identity, condition, or description.
- Example: She is a doctor. (Subject complement: a doctor)
- Object Complement: A word or phrase that follows and completes the meaning of the direct object.
- Example: They elected him president. (Object complement: president)
- Adjective Complement: An adjective that modifies the subject or the object of a sentence.
- Example: She felt happy. (Adjective complement: happy)
- Adverbial Complement: An adverb or adverbial phrase that modifies the verb, providing additional information about the action.
- Example: He painted the house red. (Adverbial complement: red)
- Prepositional Complement: A prepositional phrase that completes the meaning of the preposition in the sentence.
- Example: She is interested in science. (Prepositional complement: in science)
- Subject Complement: A word or phrase that follows a linking verb and provides additional information about the subject, such as its identity, condition, or description.
- Examples:
- Subject Complement:
- She seems happy.
- The cake smells delicious.
- He appears confident.
- The movie was boring.
- They seem tired.
- Object Complement:
- They elected him their leader.
- She considers the project a success.
- They painted the house blue.
- I find the idea intriguing.
- She named her dog Buddy.
- Adjective Complement:
- He felt proud of his achievement.
- She seems tired after the long day.
- They were relieved to hear the news.
- The students appear anxious about the exam.
- She was happy with the outcome.
- Adverbial Complement:
- They arrived late to the party.
- He drove the car carefully.
- She answered the question quickly.
- They walked quietly through the forest.
- He sings beautifully.
- Prepositional Complement:
- She is interested in science.
- He is proficient in French.
- She is fond of music.
- He is scared of spiders.
- They are excited about the trip.
Understanding complements aids in constructing well-formed sentences and providing additional details to convey precise meaning in English.
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