Subject complements

Some clauses consist of a subject, the verb be and an expression that either modifies the subject or denotes something identical to the subject.

·         Jane is a journalist.

·         The children were very excited.

·         Susie is in the shower.

The expression that modifies the subject in clauses like these is often called a subject complement. Subject complements can also follow other copular verbs like become, seem and look.

·         Alice became a doctor.

·         She looks depressed.

Object complement

An object complement is a phrase which follows a direct object and either modifies that object or denotes something identical to it.

·         She called me a liar.

·         They made her a star.

·         I consider hang-gliding dangerous.

Complements of verbs, nouns and adjectives

Words and expressions which complete the meaning of a verb, noun or adjective are also called complements.

·         I am fond of children. (of children is the complement of the adjective fond.)

·         I am sorry to tell you this. (to tell you this is the complement of the adjective sorry.)

·         Let us get a bottle of wine. (of wine is the complement of the noun bottle.)

·         She wants to find a new job. (to find a new job is the complement of the verb wants.)

It is important to know what kinds of complements can come after a particular word. For example, interested can be followed by in -- -ing or by an infinitive; want can be followed by an infinitive, but suggest cannot; on the other hand suggest can be followed by a that-clause, but want cannot.

·         I am interested in learning to fly.

·         I want to take a long holiday.

·         The doctor suggested taking a long holiday.

·         The doctor suggested that I should take a long holiday.