More about Subject Complements

Subject Complements vs. PredicateComplements

A subject complement follows a linking verb.See page 356 and 357. Recall that the mostcommon linking verbs are forms of “be.”Other verbs are also linking verbs. Are thesewords always linking verbs?

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“To be…or NOTto be?”

Subject Complements vs. PredicateComplements

To be a linking verb, the verb must be followedby a noun or pronoun that names the subjector an adjective that describes it.

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“To be…or NOTto be?”

Subject Complements vs. PredicateComplements

For example, in the sentence

I was there.

… “was” is not a linking verb, because it isnot followed by a noun, pronoun, oradjective.

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“To be…or NOTto be?”

Subject Complements vs. PredicateComplements

“There” is an adverb… telling “where, in what way”the subject existed.

I was there.

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“To be…or NOTto be?”

Subject Complements vs. PredicateComplements

Subject complements are predicate nominatives(think “names”) and predicate adjectives.

It couldn’t be much easier!

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“To be…or NOTto be?”

Subject Complements vs. PredicateComplements

It couldn’t be much easier!

(In this example, easier is a predicate adjective. It isfollowed by a linking verb, be, and modifies thesubject, “it.”)

Objects

Objects are complements that do not refer tothe subject.

Example

Lee Trevino sank the putt.

Notice that putt does not explain or describe thesubject, Lee Trevino, and sank is an actionverb rather than a linking verb.

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Objects

Objects are complements that do not refer tothe subject.

Example

Lee Trevino sank the putt.

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Direct Objects and Indirect Objects

There are two kinds of objects: the direct objectand the indirect object.

Neither is EVER in a prepositional phrase.

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What is it?

The direct object of the verb is a noun orpronoun that receives the action of the verbor shows the result of the action. It answersthe question “What?” or “Whom?” after anaction verb.

Examples

Dot asked Izzy about the game.

Her poem won an award.

What is it?

In the first sentence, Izzy received the actionexpressed by the verb asked and tells whomDot asked; therefore, Izzy is the direct object.

Examples

Dot asked Izzy about the game.

Her poem won an award.

What is it?

In the second sentence, award names the resultof the action expressed by the verb won andtells what her poem won; award is the directobject.

Examples

Dot asked Izzy about the game.

Her poem won an award.

Try one…

Exercise 21:

1.This article gives many interesting facts aboutlibraries.

Ask:

Gives what? Facts

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Try one…

Exercise 21:

10. Readers borrow millions of books from themever year.

Ask:

Borrow what? millions

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Try one…

Exercise 21:

10. Readers borrow millions of books from themever year.

Ask:

Borrow what?

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Try one…

Exercise 21:

10. Readers borrow millions of books from themever year.

Ask:

Borrow what? millions

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Try these in your notebook…

Instructions: Write the subjects, verbs, anddirect objects in the following sentences.

1. Paul built a doll house for Hayley.

2. The club members held a party in the park.

3. The audience cheered their favorite actorsduring the play.

4. Tiny children prefer short stories.

5. Terri really dialed a wrong number last night.

Check your anwers…

Answers:

1. Paul = subject / built = verb / house = direct object

2. members = subject / held = verb / party = direct object

3. audience = subject / cheered = verb / actors = directobject

4. children = subject / prefer = verb / stories = directobject

5. Terri = subject / dialed = verb / number = direct object

Indirect Objects

The indirect object of the verb is a noun orpronoun that precedes the direct object andusually tells “to whom” or “for whom” (or “towhat” or “for what”) the action of the verb isdone.

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Indirect Objects

The indirect object of the verb is a noun or pronoun that precedes thedirect object and usually tells “to whom” or “for whom” (or “towhat” or “for what”) the action of the verb is done.

D. O. : Sheila told a story. (told what? Story)

Frank gave a donation. (gave what? Donation)

I.O. : Sheila told the children a story. (told towhom? Children)

Frank gave Toni a donation. (gave to whom? Toni)

Prepositional Lookout

If the word to or for is used, the word followingit is part of a prepositional phrase, NOT anindirect object.

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Prepositional Lookout

If the word to or for is used, the word following it is part ofa prepositional phrase, NOT an indirect object.

Example:

Prepositional Phrases:

She showed the bird’s nest to me.

I left some dessert for you.

Indirect Objects:

She showed me the bird’s nest.

I left you some dessert.

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Compound D.O.’s and I.O.’s

Both D.O.’s and I.O.’s may be compound.

Examples:

Lydia sold cookies and lemonade. (sold what?Cookies, lemonade - compound D.O.)

Lydia sold Freddy and me lemonade. (sold towhom? Freddy and me- compound I.O.)

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Try these…

Instructions: In your notebook, write the subjects,verbs, and direct objects in these sentences.

1. The students of these lessons have studiedsubjects and verbs.

2. The hungry man ate cake, pie and rollscontinually.

3. John wants a bicycle and a wagon for Christmas.

4. Everyone at the party enjoyed the hamburgers,hot dogs, potato chips and drinks.

5. Grandma left her umbrella and coat at our house.

Check your answers for understanding.

Answers:

1. students = subject / have studied = verb / subjects,verbs = direct objects

2. man = subject / ate = verb / cake, pie, rolls = directobjects

3. John = subject / wants = verb / bicycle, wagon = directobjects

4. Everyone = subject / enjoyed = verb / hamburgers, hotdogs, potato chips, drinks = direct objects

5. Grandma = subject / left = verb / umbrella, coat =direct objects

Try these…

Instructions: In your notebook, write the verb,direct object, and indirect object in the followingsentences.

1. Has your boss sent you a notice about the nextconvention?

2. John read his tiny nephew an exciting story.

3. Our father built the family a redwood picnictable.

4. The doctor sent me a bill for his services.

5. We gave my mother a book for her birthday.

Check your answers for understanding.

Answers:

1. sent = verb; notice = direct object; you = indirect object

2. read = verb; story = direct object; nephew = indirectobject

3. built = verb; table = direct object; family = indirectobject

4. sent = verb; bill = direct object; me = indirect object

5. gave = verb; book = direct object; mother = indirectobject