CHAPTER FOUR: SUBJECT

COMPLEMENTS

Direct and Indirect Objects

Predicate Nominatives and Predicate

Adjectives

A COMPLEMENT IS A WORD OR WORD GROUP THAT COMPLETES THE MEANING OF A VERB.

A Direct Object is a noun, pronoun, or word group that tells who

or what receives the action of the verb.

A direct object answers Whom? Or What? After a transitive verb.

I met Dr. Mason. [I met whom? Dr. Mason receives the action of

the verb met.]

*Because a linking verb does not express action, it cannot have a

direct object.

IDENTIFY THE DIRECT OBJECT IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE:

1. Long-distance, or marathon, swimming requires strength and endurance. 2. A swimmer in training may swim five or six

miles every day. 3. Marathon swimmers smear grease on their

legs and arms for protection against cold water. 4. During a marathon, some swimmers may lose

several pounds. 5. Fatigue, pain, and huge waves challenge

marathon swimmers.

INDIRECT OBJECTS

An indirect object is a noun, pronoun, or word group that sometimes appears in sentences containing direct objects.

Indirect Objects tell to whom or to what, or from whom or for what the action of the verb is done. If a sentence has an indirect object, it always has a direct object also.

Example: The waiter gave her the bill. To whom did the water give the bill? (her)

Note: If the word to or for is used, the noun or pronoun following it is part of a prepositional phrase and cannot be an indirect object.

IDENTIFY AND LABEL THE DIRECT OBJECTS AND THE INDIRECT OBJECTS IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES:

1. The usher found us seats near the stage.

2. I will gladly lend you my new tennis racket.

3. The Nobel Foundation awarded Octavio Paz the

Nobel Prize in

literature.

4. Please show me your beaded moccasins.

5. They owe you and me an apology.

SUBJECT COMPLEMENTS

A subject complement is a word or word group in th

epredicate that identifies or describes the subject.

A Subject complement is connected to the subject by a

linking verb.

There are two kinds of subject complements:

Predicate Nominatives (Nouns) and Predicate Adjectives

PREDICATE NOMINATIVES (NOUNS)

A predicate nominative is a word or word group in the

predicate that identifies the subject.

A predicate nominative may be a noun, pronoun, or a word

group that functions as a noun.

A predicate nominative is connected to its subject by a

linking verb.

Example: A dictionary is a valuable tool. [Tool is a

predicate nominative that identifies the subject dictionary.]

NOTE:

Be careful not to confuse a predicate nominative

with a direct object.

A predicate nominative always completes a linking

verb.

A direct object always completes an action verb.

IDENTIFY THE L INKING VERB AND THE PREDICATE NOMINATIVE IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES:

1. Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa.

2. The kingdom of Siam became modern-day

Thailand.

3. Dandelions can be a problem for gardeners.

4. Sue Mishima should be a lawyer or a

stockbroker when she grows up.

5. When will a woman be president of the United

States?

PREDICATE ADJECTIVES:

A predicate adjective is an adjective that is in the

predicate and that describes the subject.

A predicate adjective is connected to the subject by

a linking verb.

Examples: Cold milk tastes good on a hot day.

[Good is a predicate adjective that describes the

subject milk.]

ID EN TIFY THE L IN KING VERBS AND THE PREDICATE ADJECT IVES IN THE FO LLOW IN G SEN TENCES:

1. Everyone felt good about the decision.

2. The milk in this container smells sour.3. Don’t the black beans mixed with rice and onions taste delicious?

4. The situation appears dangerous and

complicated.

5. Everyone remained calm during the emergency.