Chapter Four: Subject Complements

1. Chapter Four: Subject Complements Direct and Indirect Objects Predicate Nominatives and Predicate Adjectives

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Subject Complements • A subject complement is a word or word group in thepredicate 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

7. 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.]

8. 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.

9. Identify the linking 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?

10. 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.]

11. Identify the linking verbs and the predicate adjectives in the following sentences: • 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.