In
grammar, an object complement is a
predicative expression
A predicative expression (or just predicative) is part of a clause predicate, and is an expression that typically follows a copula (or linking verb), e.g. ''be'', ''seem'', ''appear'', or that appears as a second complement of a certain type of v ...
that follows a
direct object of an
attributive ditransitive verb or
resultative verb and that
complements the direct object of the
sentence by describing it. Object complements are
constituents of the
predicate. Noun phrases and adjective phrases most frequently function as object complements.
[Quirk, Randolph, Sidney Greenbaum, Jan Svartvik, & Geoffrey Leech. 1985. A comprehensive grammar of the English language. London: Longman.]
Examples
The object complement is bold in the following examples:
::*She painted the barn red.
– Adjective as object complement
Here, ''painted'' is an attributive ditransitive verb. The direct object is ''the barn''. The object complement construction allows for the combination of the sentences ''She painted the barn'' and ''The barn was painted red''.
::*He considers you a friend.
– Noun phrase as object complement
Here, ''considers'' is an attributive ditransitive verb. The direct object is ''you''. The object complement construction allows for the combination of the sentences ''He considers you'' and ''You are a friend''.
See also
*
Direct object
*
Complement (linguistics)
In grammar, a complement is a word, phrase, or clause that is necessary to complete the meaning of a given expression. Complements are often also arguments (expressions that help complete the meaning of a predicate).
Predicative, subject and o ...
*
Object (grammar)
*
Predicate (grammar)
*
Predicative expression
A predicative expression (or just predicative) is part of a clause predicate, and is an expression that typically follows a copula (or linking verb), e.g. ''be'', ''seem'', ''appear'', or that appears as a second complement of a certain type of v ...
*
Resultative
In linguistics, a resultative ( abbreviated ) is a form that expresses that something or someone has undergone a change in state as the result of the completion of an event. Resultatives appear as predicates of sentences, and are generally compos ...
References
{{Reflist
English grammar