RECOGNIZING COMPLEMENTS ComplementsThe word complement comes from the

RECOGNIZING COMPLEMENTS

Complements�The word complement comes from the Latin word complere which means “to fill up or complete”. �Complements COMPLETE the meaning of a verb.

What words are complements? �A complement can be a noun, a pronoun, OR an adjective.

WHAT A COMPLEMENT ISN’T: �An adverb is NEVER a complement. �ADVERB – The package is here. [Here is an adverb that modifies the verb by telling WHERE the package is. ] �COMPLEMENT – The package is heavy. [Heavy is an adjective that makes the sentence a COMPLETE thought. ]

WHAT A COMPLEMENT ISN’T: �A complement is never in a prepositional phrase. �PREP. PHRASE – Erin is painting in the garage. (The prep. phrase in the garage is an adverb phrase telling where Erin is painting. ) �COMPLEMENT – Erin is painting her room. (The noun room completes the phrase by telling what she is painting. )

WHAT A COMPLEMENT IS: �Direct Object: a noun, pronoun, or word group that tells who or what receives the action of the verb; must come after an action verb �Ex: I met Dr. Mason. (I met whom? I met Dr. Mason receives the action of the verb met. ) �Try: Please buy fruit, bread and milk. �D. O. =_______________

WHAT A COMPLEMENT IS: � Indirect Object: a noun, pronoun, or word group that sometimes appears in sentences containing direct objects; tells to whom or to what, or for whom or for what, the action of the verb is done � Ex: The waiter gave her the bill. (The pronoun her is the indirect object of the verb gave. It answers the questions “To whom did the waiter give the bill? ) � Try: Did she tip him five dollars? I. O. = __________________

WHAT A COMPLEMENT IS: � Predicate Nominative: a word or word group in the predicate that identifies the subject; a noun or pronoun that is connected to the subject by a linking verb [Common linking verbs: appear, become, grow, remain, smell, stay, be, feel, look, seem, sound, taste] � Ex: A dictionary is a valuable tool. (Tool is a predicate nominative that identifies the subject dictionary. ) � Try: The discoverers of radium were Pierre Curie and Marie Curie. P. N. = __________

To London Bridge: �Am, are, is, was, were, and, be �Forms of be, forms of be �Taste, smell, sound, seem , look, feel , say �Become, grow, appear, remain

WHAT A COMPLEMENT IS: �Predicate Adjective: an adjective that is in the predicate and describes the subject; connected to the subject by a linking verb �Ex: Cold milk tastes good on a hot day. (Good is a predicate adjective that describes the subject milk. ) �Try: How kind you are! P. A. = _________________

In conclusion: �Direct Object: • After action verb • Noun or pronoun • Answers Who? Or What? �Indirect Object: • After action verb, before Direct Object • Noun or pronoun • Answers To whom? Or To what?

In conclusion II: �Predicate Nominative: • After linking verb • Noun or pronoun • Equal to the subject �Predicate adjective: • After linking verb • adjective • Describes the subject

Find Subj. & Verb No? No D. O. Flow Chart: Action Verb Linking Verb Are there any Nouns or Pron. after V? What is the subject equal to? Yes? Does it answer Whom? What? = D. O. Noun = PN To whom or what? For whom or what? = I. O. Adj. =PA

Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs �Transitive verbs – have direct objects �Intransitive verbs – have NO direct objects

Find Subj. & Verb No? No D. O. Flow Chart: Action Verb Linking Verb Are there any Nouns or Pron. after V? What is the subject equal to? Yes? Does it answer Whom? What? = D. O. Noun = PN To whom or what? For whom or what? = I. O. Transitive Intransitive Adj. =PA