Objects and Complements

Objects
A verb may be followed by an object that completes the verb's meaning. Two kinds of objects follow verbs: direct objects and indirect objects. To determine if a verb has a direct object, isolate the verb and make it into a question by placing "whom?" or "what?" after it. The answer, if there is one, is the direct object: Direct Object The advertising executive drove a flashy red Porsche. Direct Object Her secret admirer gave her a bouquet of flowers. The second sentence above also contains an indirect object. An indirect object (which, like a direct object, is always a noun orpronoun) is, in a sense, the recipient of the direct object. To determine if a verb has an indirect object, isolate the verb and ask to whom?, to what?, for whom?, or for what? after it. The answer is the indirect object. Not all verbs are followed by objects. Consider the verbs in the following sentences: The guest speaker rose from her chair to protest. After work, Randy usually jogs around the canal.

Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Verbs that take objects are known as transitive verbs. Verbs not followed by objects are called intransitive verbs. Some verbs can be either transitive verbs or intransitive verbs, depending on the context: Direct Object I hope the Senators win the next game. No Direct Object Did we win?

Subject Complements
In addition to the transitive verb and the intransitive verb, there is a third kind of verb called a linking verb. The word (or phrase) which follows a linking verb is called not an object, but a subject complement. The most common linking verb is "be." Other linking verbs are "become," "seem," "appear," "feel," "grow," "look," "smell," "taste," and "sound," among others. Note that some of these are sometimes linking verbs, sometimes transitive verbs, or sometimes intransitive verbs, depending on how you use them: Linking verb with subject complement He was a radiologist before he became a full-time yoga instructor. Linking verb with subject complement Your homemade chili smells delicious. Transitive verb with direct object I can't smell anything with this terrible cold. Intransitive verb with no object The interior of the beautiful new Buick smells strongly of fish. Note that a subject complement can be either a noun ("radiologist", "instructor") or an adjective ("delicious").

Object Complements
(by David Megginson)

An object complement is similar to a subject complement, except that (obviously) it modifies an object rather than a subject. Consider this example of a subject complement: The driver seems tired. In this case, as explained above, the adjective "tired" modifies the noun "driver," which is the subject of the sentence. Sometimes, however, the noun will be the object, as in the following example: I consider the driver tired. In this case, the noun "driver" is the direct object of the verb "consider," but the adjective "tired" is still acting as its complement. In general, verbs which have to do with perceiving, judging, or changing something can cause their direct objects to take an object complement: Paint it black. The judge ruled her out of order. I saw the Prime Minister sleeping. In every case, you could reconstruct the last part of the sentence into a sentence of its own using a subject complement: "it is black," "she is out of order," "the Prime Minister is sleeping."

Written by Frances Peck

1.

difference between complement and object

I've read from a book on linguistics that modern linguists hold that object is the constituent in a sentence that could be changed into a passive voice, for example ,in the phrase"change train ",train is a complement rather than an object,because we can't say that train is changed.It seems quite baffling as we usually regard the part following a verb as an object.Then which criteria should we refer to when defining an object?Would you please help me out?Thank you!

2.

07-Jun-2008, 13:43#2

Dawnstorm
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Re: difference between complement and object

Hi, A complement describes a verb's argument (subject or object) more closely: 1. Sir George is a knight. (Subject complement) 2. The Queen made Sir George a knight. (object complement) Notice that you can put "a knight" in the object slot, in 2.: 3. The Queen made a knight of Sir George.

Notice that it is possible to read sentence 2. in such a way that "a knight" is, in fact, the object of the sentence. In that case, "Sir George" gets demoted from direct object of the sentence to indirect object of the sentence. The meaning of the sentence changes quite drastically. It now means: 4. The Queen made a knight for Sir George. Because of what we know about the world, reading sentence 2. in a way that it means the same as sentence 4. is very unlikely, but grammar allows it. So, in summary, the sentence # 2 could mean: 2. a The Queen (Subject) made Sir George (direct object) a knight (object complement). or 2. b The Queen (Subject) made Sir George (indirect object) a knight (direct object). So, I'm quite curious how to analyse a sentence like: 5. We changed train at Victoria station. so that "train" is a complement. What does it complement? Since this sentence has no object, "trains" would have to be a "subject complement". But I don't see that. It might be an "adverbial complement"? I'm not sure myself.
3. 07-Jun-2008, 14:39#3

rj1948
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Re: difference between complement and object

Hi, A complement describes a verb's argument (subject or object) more closely: 1. Sir George is a knight. (Subject complement) 2. The Queen made Sir George a knight. (object complement) Notice that you can put "a knight" in the object slot, in 2.: 3. The Queen made a knight of Sir George. Notice that it is possible to read sentence 2. in such a way that "a knight" is, in fact, the object of the sentence. In that case, "Sir George" gets demoted from direct object of the sentence to indirect object of the sentence. The meaning of the sentence changes quite drastically. It now means: 4. The Queen made a knight for Sir George. Because of what we know about the world, reading sentence 2. in a way that it means the same as sentence 4. is very unlikely, but grammar allows it. So, in summary, the sentence # 2 could mean: 2. a The Queen (Subject) made Sir George (direct object) a knight (object complement). or 2. b The Queen (Subject) made Sir George (indirect object) a knight (direct object).

So, I'm quite curious how to analyse a sentence like: 5. We changed train at Victoria station. so that "train" is a complement. What does it complement? Since this sentence has no object, "trains" would have to be a "subject complement". But I don't see that. It might be an "adverbial complement"? I'm not sure myself. In the above passage, The Queen(subject) made Sir.George(indirect object) a knight(direct object) Can we convert this into passive with

a knight as direct object?

No.We can not. A knight is not an object. It is an object cmplement. We can change this sentence into passive with Sir.George as object . Regards, rj1948.
4. 07-Jun-2008, 16:17#4

Dawnstorm
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Re: difference between complement and object

The Queen(subject) made Sir.George(indirect object) a knight(direct object) Can we convert this into passive with a
Originally Posted by rj1948

No.We can not. A knight is not an object. It is an object cmplement. We can change this sentence into passive with Sir.George as object . Regards, rj1948.
Actually, yes, you can put the sentence into the passive: A knight was made for Sir George. This is similar to: The Queen gave Sir George a cookie. --> A cookie was given to Sir George. As I said, the sentence means different things if you interpret "a knight" as object, or as object complement. (They're actually two different sentences, one of which is a lot harder to find a context for. ;) )
5. 07-Jun-2008, 16:39#5

knight as direct object?

RonBee
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Re: difference between complement and object

Note: We don't change train. We change trains.
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6.

07-Jun-2008, 17:19#6

rj1948
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Re: difference between complement and object

Actually, yes, you can put the sentence into the passive: A knight was made for Sir George. This is similar to: The Queen gave Sir George a cookie. --> A cookie was given to Sir George. As I said, the sentence means different things if you interpret "a knight" as object, or as object complement. (They're actually two different sentences, one of which is a lot harder to find a context for. ;) )
I'm sorry Downstorm.-knight is a title -honorary title;a decoration and it is an object complement.A knight is not conferred.Knighthood is conferred. Kindly see the sentence below. The boys elected John their leader. Their leader is complement. We can not change the above into passive with their leader as object.It is not possible. We don't change train.We change train. Regards, rj1948
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Originally Posted by Dawnstorm

7.

07-Jun-2008, 17:45#7

RonBee
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Re: difference between complement and object

Originally Posted by rj1948

I'm sorry Downstorm.-knight is a title -honorary title;a decoration and it is an object complement.
I'm sorry Downstorm. "Knight" is a title. And it is an object complement (in that sentence).
8. 07-Jun-2008, 17:58#8

Soup
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Re: difference between complement and object

So, I'm quite curious how to analyse a sentence like: 5. We changed trains at Victoria station. so that "train" is a complement. What does it complement? Since this sentence has no object, "trains" would have to be a "subject complement". But I don't see that. It might be an "adverbial complement"? I'm not sure myself.
Consider that its semantic contribution is intransitive;i.e., synonymous with transfer. Active: We have to transfer trains. Passive: Trains have to be transferred [by us]. Additionally, do you see a pattern here? Ex: We were asked to/were told to/were made to/need(ed) to/want(ed) to transfer trainsat Victoria station.
9. 07-Jun-2008, 18:09#9 Originally Posted by Dawnstorm

Soup
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Re: difference between complement and object

Then which criteria should we refer to when defining an object?
Semantics, of course, which is why passive is used as a test. (Note that, the same test is used to determine stative verbs).
Originally Posted by Grace-Ellen

They change/modify trains at our company. <object> Passive => Trains are changed/modified. They change/transfer trains at the station. <complement> Passive => Trains are changed/transferred.
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The meaning here differs.

10.

08-Jun-2008, 08:50#10

Dawnstorm
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Re: difference between complement and object

I'm sorry Downstorm.-knight is a title -honorary title;a decoration and it is an object complement.A knight is not conferred.Knighthood is conferred. Kindly see the sentence below. The boys elected John their leader. Their leader is complement. We can not change the above into passive with their leader as object.It is not possible. We don't change train.We change train. Regards, rj1948
I'm aware of this. What you don't seem to acknowledge is: It is grammatically possible to interprete "a knight" in the sentence as the direct object of "make". This completely changes the meaning of the sentence. It means that the Queen creates a knight (perhaps in a vat in the cellar? A ginger bread knight? A knight doll?) for the benefit of Sir George: The Queen baked Sir George a cake. The Queen sang Sir George a song. The Queen made Sir George a knight (out of paper and glue). This is different from bestowing a title. Sir George isn't Sir George before the ceremony. Sir George is Sir George after the ceremony. "A knight" = object complement. There is no argument there at all. But you need to separate syntax from semantics. I only mentioned this because I thought interpreting the same sentence in two different ways, once with direct object, and once with object complement, this could help people think about the difference between a complement and an object for themselves. (Apparantly, this wasn't such a good idea. )
Originally Posted by rj1948

English Grammar In Focus

Learning English Grammar In Focus Step By Step As A Second Language
10 April 2011

Object or Complement
For foreign language learners, To find the difference between Object and Complement in one case which is going to discuss below is difficult. Here, I'm trying to discuss the lesson. Object is something done by subject. It refers to an action (done by subject). Complement is to give more information about the verb. There has been a gap between the two (actually) differences. Understand What Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

For example: 1. Tina goes home late every day. 2. Tina is drawing a beautiful painting. In (1), the verb /goes/ is intransitive verb. Intransitive verb is a kind of verb which can not be added an object after it. To make sure whether the statement above is right or not, see this following example: Active Voice > I need a book. Passive Voice > A book is needed by me. In the active voice. the verb /need/ has an object /a book/. This verb is in Transitive verb and when it is changed into Passive voice, /the book/ will be the subject and /I/ which becomes the subject will turn to be an object. This proves that Transitive Verb can be added an object. Transitive Verb then has an object and can be changed into Passive and it is different of Intransitive verb. Now try to change this sentence (Active voice) into Passive voice: I live in Indonesia. In (2), the verb /drawing/ is a Transitive verb. It has an object (A beautiful painting). So, it can be changed into passive voice, namely,A beautiful painting is being drawn by Tina. Complement Complement is used to give more information to the verb. For example: I went with him last night. /with him/ is not an object. It is because the verb /went/ is in Intransitive Verb. Here, /with him/ is the complement. Compare this follows! I went last night. I went with him. I

went with

him

last

night.

Complement can be like an object and we will find that there is apreposition which is being used in /with him/. Therefore, It is impossible for us to say: "I went him last night" (/him/ without /with/). We For I She We Rita He also can see that complement is also used in Nominal Pattern. example: am happy. is lonely. Kemuning. dancer. home.

are students

of is a

SMA was at

Negeri pretty

Bukit

All the italic words or expressions above are the complement. The function of the verb "be" there is the same as Intransitive verb. Compare I am tired. I get tired. and find the answer!

/am/ and /get/ have the same functions. Those give us information about the subject. Therefore, /tired/ is the complement. We also call the pattern as Linking-Verb.

see more Transitive and Intransitive Verb in this blog.

What's the difference between an object complement and a direct object?

Pls look at this sentence:"We ask him to sign this bill." Herein, "to sign this bill" is said to be the direct object of the verb "ask"; However, why can't it be considered as an object complement. As it is said "When the word follows the direct object and it tells what the direct object has become, it is the object complement." Why can't it be thought in this way: He has been forced to sign the bill, thus, the state of him has been changed. In this way, can "to sign the bill" be considered as an object complement?

4 years ago Report Abuse

Rose

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Your reasoning is correct except you have a pronoun as object in one case and a phrase in the other. We ask him to sign the bill. Him as opposed to anyose else. When you say "We ask to sign the bill" it means something different because, as you have stated, that action is the object of "ask". You could ask to have another coffee.But the important difference is that "he" is not asked to sign the bill. To ask to sign the bill and to ask him to sign the bill are two different objects of "asking" and two completely different sentences.

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object and complement

From: usboy (usboy) Last Visit: 3/10/09 Posts: 8

Print Email To: All Message: Posted: Jan15 270.1 (1 of 5) 09 10:24 AM

Hello everybody! I really need your help. please tell me the difference between "the complement" and "the object" in the sentence. For example in the sentences structures we deal with : the subject -verb- object structure and the subject-verb-complement structure. I don't know the difference!Help me please. Thanks for all!

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From: Richard (Nordquist) Last Visit: Feb-8 Posts: 463

Print Email To: usboy Message: Posted: Jan15 270.2 (2 of 5) 09 01:27 PM Reply to 270.1
Check out the examples at direct object and at complement: a direct object receivesthe action of a verb ("Tony hit Bill"); a complement follows a form of the verb be and completes the meaning of the verb ("Tony is angry").

Richard About.com Guide to Grammar & Composition

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From: usboy (usboy) Last Visit: 3/10/09 Posts: 8

Print Email To: Richard Message: Posted: Jan16 270.3 (3 of 5) 09 05:39 AM Reply to 270.2
Hello Mr Richard! I really appreciate what you have done for me thank you gvery much.

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From: mherapril (mherapril) Last Visit: 2/3/09 Posts: 1

Print Email To: usboy Message: Posted: Feb03 270.4 (4 of 5) 09 08:00 AM Reply to 270.1
Hi, the difference between the complement and object is very simple. if we say object, there should be a doer of the action which is our subject, an action which is our verb and most importantly a receiver of the action which is our OBJECT. On the other hand, a sentence consists of a complement once there is a description about the subject. In short, an object is the receiver of the action (example: I love my family. MY FAMILY is the receiver of the action LOVE), While a complement explains about the subject (example: Elephant is a big animal). Big animal here explains or describes the elephant. In addition to this, verb be is found in a sentence with a complement. I hope this helps.

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From: O.Mahmoud (O.Mahmoud) Last Visit: Mar-30 Posts: 1

Print Email To: mherapril Message: Unread 270.5 (5 of 5) Posted: Mar 30 Reply to 270.4 12 06:51 PM
thanks alot but can you explain more about the difference between them