Table of Contents
Introduction
When constructing sentences in English, understanding the roles of different elements is crucial. Two such elements that often cause confusion are objects and complements. While both provide additional information in a sentence, they serve distinct functions.
This post will clarify the difference between object vs complement, providing definitions, examples, and useful tips for English learners.
The Structure of a Sentence in English
A sentence in English typically consists of a subject, a verb, and often an object, though some sentences do not require an object at all. The subject initiates the action, the verb expresses what is happening, and the object receives the action.
Subject + Verb + (Object)
Here is an example:
- She is watching TV. (“She” is a subject; “is watching” is the verb, “TV” is the object.)
However, not all sentences require an object; some instead include a complement, which provides additional meaning, especially when used with linking verbs.
Example:
- She is happy. (“Happy” is a subject complement)
Understanding the difference between objects and complements is crucial for grasping sentence structure and meaning accurately.
Object Vs Complement
An object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of a verb, while a complement is a noun, pronoun, or adjective that follows a linking verb and provides more information about the subject. Objects answer “what?” or “whom?” in relation to the verb, whereas complements describe, rename, or complete the subject’s meaning.
To fully grasp their differences, let’s define each in detail.
What is an Object?
An object is a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that receives the action of a verb. Objects answer the questions “what?” or “whom?” after an action verb.
Types of Objects:
- Direct Object – The entity directly affected by the verb.
- She wrote a letter. (“letter” is the direct object; it receives the action of “wrote.”)
- They watched the movie. (“movie” is the direct object of “watched.”)
- Indirect Object – Indicates to whom or for whom an action is performed. It comes before the direct object and answers “to whom?” or “for whom?”
- She gave him a gift. (“him” is the indirect object; “gift” is the direct object.)
- He told his friend a secret. (“friend” is the indirect object, “secret” is the direct object.)
What is a Complement?
A complement is a word or phrase that describes, renames, or completes the meaning of a subject or object. Complements are often necessary to give a sentence its full meaning.
Types of Complements:
- Subject Complement – Describes or renames the subject and follows a linking verb (such as “be,” “seem,” “become“).
- She is a teacher. (“teacher” renames “she.”)
- The cake smells delicious. (“delicious” describes “cake.”)
- Object Complement – Describes or renames the object, usually following certain verbs (like “make,” “call,” “elect“). Unlike a subject complement, which provides additional information about the subject and follows a linking verb, an object complement directly modifies or redefines the object within the sentence. It helps complete the meaning of the object by further describing or redefining it, often making the sentence more precise and clear.
- They elected him president. (“president” renames “him.”)
- She painted the wall blue. (“blue” describes “wall.”)
Object vs Complement: Key Difference
| Feature | Object | Complement |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Receives the action of the verb | Provides additional information about the subject or object |
| Follows | Action verbs | Linking verbs (subject complement) or certain action verbs (object complement) |
| Example | She bought a book. (“book” is the object) | She is happy. (“happy” is the complement) |
| Type | Direct and Indirect Objects | Subject and Object Complements |
How to Identify Objects vs. Complements
- Look at the verb:
- If it is an action verb, it is likely followed by an object. (She eats an apple.)
- If it is a linking verb, it is likely followed by a subject complement. (She is kind.)
- Ask the right questions:
- If you can ask “what?” or “whom?” after the verb and get a meaningful answer, it is an object.
- If the word after the verb renames or describes the subject/object, it is a complement.
Practice Time
Exercise: Identify Objects and Complements
Determine whether the bolded word or phrase in each sentence is an object (O) or a complement (C).
- She named her cat Whiskers.
- The cake tastes delicious.
- They hired a new manager last week.
- He became a doctor after years of study.
- We watched a thrilling movie last night.
Instructions: Write (O) if the bolded word is an object and (C) if it is a complement.
FAQs about the Difference Between Objects and Complements
What is the difference between an object and a complement?
An object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of a verb, while a complement provides additional information about the subject or object.
– Object: Follows an action verb and answers “what?” or “whom?” (e.g., She wrote a letter – letter is the object).
– Complement: Follows a linking verb and either renames (predicate nominative) or describes (predicate adjective) the subject (e.g., She is a teacher – teacher is the complement).
A quick trick: If the word completes the meaning of an action verb, it’s an object. If it completes the meaning of a linking verb, it’s a complement.
How to identify objects and complements easily?
– An object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb (e.g., She bought a book – book is the object).
– A complement provides additional information about the subject or object, usually following linking verbs (e.g., She is happy – happy is the complement).
To distinguish them easily:
– If the word answers “what?” or “whom?” after an action verb, it’s an object.
– If the word describes or renames the subject after a linking verb, it’s a complement.
What is the difference between an object and an adjective?
– An object is a noun or pronoun affected by the verb (I saw John – John is the object).
– An adjective describes a noun (John is tall – tall is an adjective).
A key difference: Objects are entities, while adjectives describe qualities.
What is the difference between object complement and appositive?
– An object complement gives additional information about the object and usually follows it (They elected him president – president describes him).
– An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames another noun, usually placed next to it (My friend, a doctor, is very kind – a doctor renames My friend).
The key difference: An object complement modifies the object, while an appositive renames it.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the distinction between object vs complement is essential for mastering sentence structure in English. The key difference is that objects act as recipients of an action, while complements provide additional meaning by renaming or describing another element in the sentence.