Object Complement

Complement is the word, phrase or clause that adds additional meaning to a word of a sentence. Just like the dictionary definition of the word complement i.e. to enhance something or give a better understanding if it, the complements of English grammar does the same.

There are two main types of complements which include subject complement and objet complement.

In this article, I will discuss about object complement, their meaning, usage and how they are different from their other type subject complement. If you wish to get more knowledge about subject complements, read my other article named ‘Subject Complement’.

Object Complement

As the name suggests, an object complement has to do with the object of the sentence. An object of the sentence is actually a word or noun to which the action is happening.

Example:

He ate strawberry ice cream.

In this example, he is the subject and strawberry ice cream is the object which the subject ate. As the strawberry ice cream is receiving the action of the verb ate, we call it object.

Likewise, an object complement is a word or phrase that describes more about the object of the sentence. In other words, a word that adds more meaning to the object is referred to as object complement.

Sara chose to sleep on the hardwood floor.

In the above example, floor is the object and hardwood is an adjective that is giving more meaning to the object so it is termed as object complement.

An object complement may be a noun or an adjective or it may be a word that acts like a noun or an adjective in a sentence.

Example:

The board appointed Lucas as head of staff.

Consider the above example in which Lucas is the object and head of staff is a noun or a group of words that act as a noun and answers the question what and who about the object. Thus, head of staff is the object complement in this sentence.

The thin dress gave her a breezy feel in the hot weather.

The above example for instance contains a phrase that acts as an object complement. Breezy feel in the hot weather is a phrase that describes more about the object feel.