In English grammar, an object complement is a noun, pronoun, or adjective that follows and modifies or renames a direct object. It provides additional information about the direct object, completing its meaning.
Here are a few examples of nouns acting as object complements:
Examples:
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They elected him president.
- Analysis: In this sentence, "him" is the direct object (the one being elected), and "president" is the object complement. It renames or describes what "him" has become as a result of the election.
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We named our daughter Sarah.
- Analysis: “Our daughter” is the direct object of the verb “named,” and “Sarah” is the object complement, providing the identity of the direct object.
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She considers him a genius.
- Analysis: Here, "him" is the direct object (the one being considered), and "a genius" serves as the object complement, telling us how "him" is viewed or classified.
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The committee appointed her secretary.
- Analysis: "Her" is the direct object (the one being appointed), and "secretary" is the object complement, specifying what position she has been given.
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The jury found the defendant guilty.
- Analysis: "The defendant" is the direct object, and "guilty" is an object complement that describes the state of the defendant as determined by the jury's verdict.
Explanation:
- Function of Object Complements: Object complements provide critical information that completes the idea expressed in the sentence. They allow the reader or listener to understand the relationship between the subject (the doer of the action) and the direct object (the receiver of the action) more clearly.
- Structure: The typical structure in sentences using object complements is: [Subject] + [Verb] + [Direct Object] + [Object Complement].
Knowing how to identify and use object complements can enhance sentence clarity and depth, making the communication of ideas more effective.
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