Distinguishing between 'Complement' and 'Object' in English Grammar

Understanding the nuances between 'complement' and 'object' is essential for anyone aiming to master English grammar. Both terms play significant roles in sentence construction but in distinct ways. In this article, we delve into the definitions, roles, and examples of each, helping you to differentiate and use them accurately in your writing and communication.

The Role of 'Object'

In English grammar, an 'object' refers to a noun or pronoun that receives the action of a verb. There are two primary types of objects: direct and indirect.

Direct Object

A direct object answers the questions 'what' or 'whom' the action of the verb affects.

Example

In the sentence "She reads the book," "the book" is the direct object as it directly receives the action of the verb "reads."

Indirect Object

An indirect object answers the questions 'to whom' or 'for whom' the action is performed.

Example

In the sentence "She bought a gift for her mom," "her mom" is the indirect object as it receives the action of the indirect object "gift."

To summarize, an object (whether direct or indirect) is always followed by a transitive verb and answers questions of 'what' or 'whom.'

The Role of 'Complement'

A 'complement' is a word or group of words that completes the meaning of a sentence by either describing or renaming the subject or object. Complements can be further classified as subject complements or object complements.

Subject Complement

A subject complement follows a linking verb and provides additional information about the subject. It describes or renames the subject.

Example

In the sentence "Mary is happy," "happy" is a subject complement as it follows the linking verb "is" and describes the subject "Mary."

Object Complement

An object complement follows and modifies a direct object, either describing or renaming it.

Example

In the sentence "We painted the walls white," "white" is the object complement as it follows the direct object "walls" and describes it.

Complements are often followed by linking verbs such as "become" and "look," and they typically answer questions of 'when,' 'where,' 'why,' or 'how,' rather than 'what' or 'whom.'

Key Differences between 'Object' and 'Complement'

While both objects and complements enhance the meaning of a sentence, they do so in different ways and contexts. The primary distinction lies in their relationship to the verb and their placement within the sentence.

Verb type: Objects are followed by transitive verbs, whereas complements are often followed by intransitive verbs or linking verbs.Answers to questions: Objects answer 'what' or 'whom,' while complements answer 'when,' 'where,' 'why,' or 'how.'Linking verbs: While objects occur after non-linking verbs, complements typically follow linking verbs such as "is," "become," and "seem."

For instance, in the sentence "I seem tired," "tired" is a complement as it follows the linking verb "seem" and modifies the subject "I." In the sentence "She became an auditor," "an auditor" is an object complement as it follows the transitive verb "became" and modifies the direct object "she."

Six Example Sentences

Direct Object Example: "I play cricket," where "cricket" is the direct object as it answers 'what' I play.Indirect Object Example: "He gave me a gift," where "me" is the indirect object and "gift" is the direct object. These both answer the questions 'whom' and 'what' respectively.Subject Complement Example: "Raga is an engineer," where "an engineer" is the subject complement that describes the subject "Raga."Object Complement Example: "Radhika became an auditor," where "an auditor" is the object complement that describes the subject "Radhika."Special Complement Example: "I seem tired," where "tired" is the complement that answers 'how' I seem.

These examples highlight the different roles of objects and complements, enabling you to differentiate and correctly use them in English sentences.

Conclusion

Understanding the distinction between 'object' and 'complement' is crucial for effective communication and writing. While both play a vital role in sentence structure, their functions and the verbs they follow differ significantly. By recognizing these differences, you can enhance the clarity and complexity of your sentences, making your writing more precise and engaging.