Complements are one of the important concepts in English grammar that are used to supplement, refine, or qualify the meaning of a subject, object, or other sentence component. Complements can be in the form of adjectives, nouns, adverbs, prepositional phrases, clauses, etc. In this article, I will explain in detail the definition, classification, location, and some common usages of complements.
First, let's define complements. A complement is a core component in a sentence that is used to complement, complete, or qualify the meaning of the subject, object, or other sentence components. Complements usually provide information about status, characteristics, identity, purpose, etc., and are consistent with the component being modified.
Complements can be divided into the following categories:
1.Adjective complements: Adjective complements are adjectives that supplement, define, or describe the state, characteristics, or identity of the subject or object. Adjective complements are usually placed after the separatist verb (e.g., become, seem, etc.) and are consistent with the subject or object.
For example: she is happy(She's happy.) ）
they made him angry.(They him off.) ）
the cake smells delicious.(The cake smells delicious.) ）
2.Noun complement: A noun complement is a noun that supplements, defines, or describes the identity, occupation, status, etc., of the subject or object. A noun complement is usually placed after the verb and is consistent with the subject or object.
For example: he became a doctor(He became a doctor.) ）
she made him her assistant.(She made him her assistant.) ）
the students elected him class president.(The students chose him as class president.) ）
3.Adverb complement: An adverb complement is an adverb that supplements, qualifies, or describes the state, degree, etc., of the subject or object. Adverb complements are usually placed after the verb and are consistent with the subject or object.
For example: they painted the room white(They painted the room white.) ）
she woke up feeling tired.(She wakes up tired.) ）
the flowers bloomed beautifully.(The flowers are in full bloom beautifully.) ）
4.Prepositional complements: Prepositional complements are the use of prepositional phrases to supplement, define, or describe the position, direction, etc., of the subject or object. A prepositional complement is usually placed after a preposition and is consistent with the subject or object.
For example: they found the keys under the table(They found the key under the table.) ）
he kicked the ball into the goal.(He kicks the ball into the goal.) ）
she put the book on the shelf.(She puts the book on the shelf.) ）
5.Clause complement: A clause complement is a clause that complements, defines, or describes the meaning of the subject or object. The clause complement is usually placed after the consort verb and is consistent with the subject or object.
For example: they elected him as the leader(They elected him leader.) ）
she considers him to be her best friend.(She thinks he's her best friend.) ）
the teacher named him the winner.(The teacher called him the winner.) ）
The placement of complements in a sentence can vary depending on the structure and grammatical rules of the sentence. But usually, complements are placed after the consort verb and modify the subject or object.
To sum up, complements are an important concept in English grammar that is used to supplement, refine, or qualify the meaning of a subject, object, or other sentence component. Complements can be adjectives, nouns, adverbs, prepositional phrases, clauses, etc. The position of the complement is usually placed after the tie verb, modifying the subject or object.