Dive into the world of complements! We’ve got the scoop on what they are and the coolest types. Each section has color-coded examples. Keep reading to the bottom of the page where you’ll find a graphic finale that ties it all together!
If you have any questions or ideas on how to improve this page, please email Marci@RegalLessons.com. Let’s make compliments even more awesome! 🚀✨
Complements in General
Meet complements – the dynamic duo of nouns and adjectives that swoop in after verbs, completing the predicate like a finishing touch. They complete the predicate, so think complement means complete.
- Grace tutored the student.
- Will gave the student some help.
- Marci is a tutor.
- Connor is friendly.
- I found the student studying.
Prepositions never come between complements and verbs. So if there is a noun or adjective after the preposition, it is not a complement.
- Grace tutored the student at home.
- Will went to help.
- Marci is at the school.
.
Complements With Action Verbs
Actions verbs do something.
- Grace tutored.
- Will gives.
- Marci studies.
Indirect Objects
Indirect objects are another type of complement because they are also nouns that come after the verb. They tell who the action is for. You can have a direct object WITHOUT an indirect object. However, you MUST HAVE a direct object object to have an indirect object.
- Grace throws Mia the ball.
- Will gives Danny a lesson.
Direct Objects
Direct objects are a type of complement. They are nouns that come after action verbs and are being acted on. In the last example, there is a preposition between the verb and the noun after it. So the noun is NOT a complement or direct object.
- Grace throws the ball.
- Will gives a lesson.
- They named the baby.
- Marci studies with Delaney.
Object Complements
Object complements are another type of complement. They are adjectives that come after the verb and tell who the action is for. They describe the direct object. The articles (the, a, an) are adjectives and therefore can be object complements.
- Grace throws Mia the big ball.
- Will gives Danny a great lesson.
- They named the baby Gavin.
.
Complements with Linking Verbs
Linking verbs: am, was, is, were, are, appear, seem, remain, became, get, grow, feel…
- I am a student.
- He feels smart.
Subject Complements
Subject complements are nouns (or noun phrases) and adjectives that come after linking verbs. Linking verbs are verbs that do not show action.
Predicate Nominative
A predicate nominative is a type of subject complement. It is a noun (or noun phrase) that comes after the linking verb.
- I am a student.
- Grace is a tutor.
Predicate Adjective
A predicate adjective is a type of subject complement. It is an adjective (or adjective phrase) that comes after the linking verb.
- He feels smart.
- These flowers get very tall.
.
Complements Graphic Organizer
.
Complements Quizlet
Click here for a Quizlet where you can test your what you’ve learned.
.
More English Resources
Click here to see a list of all our English study tools!
.
Book a private tutor!
Students of the Los Angeles South Bay, you can sign up for at-your-home tutoring. That’s right, we’ll come to you! If you live outside the area, we can work with you virtually. Visit our about page to see which tutor is best for you. Once you’ve found your favorite tutor, you can see their availability and book a tutoring session using the booking plug-in below!
- Regal Tutors accepts bookings up to 80 days in advance.
- If you see a window that says “Your phone ____ is already associated with another email.” Click “UPDATE.”
- Click here to watch a video on how to schedule a tutor.
