What is an Object Complement in Grammar?Definition, Meaning and Example

In English grammar, understanding sentence parts helps us write and speak clearly. One important part is the object complement in Grammar. It may sound tricky at first, but it is actually simple. It is a word that gives more information about the object of a sentence. It tells us what the object has become or how it is described. In this blog, we will learn what an object complement is, why it is used, and see examples to understand it better. Also, you will learn about the difference between object and subject complement along with other aspects of this topic.

What is an Object Complement in Grammar? 

It is a word or phrase that follows and modifies or renames the direct object of a verb. It gives more information about what the object has become or is identified as. Object complements can be nouns, pronouns, or adjectives.

Example 1: They elected her president.
(“President” renames “her.”)

Example 2: The movie made him famous.
(“Famous” describes “him.”)

Object complements are used with certain verbs like make, call, name, elect, and consider. They complete the meaning of the verb by providing additional details about the object.

Also Read: What is a Phrase? Examples, Quizzes, Exercises

Common Verbs that Require an Object Complement

Find the table of verbs that often take an object complement in grammar, along with example sentences:

Verb	Example Sentence	Object Complement
Appoint	They appointed her team leader.	team leader (Noun)
Call	The students called him a genius.	a genius (Noun)
Choose	The club chose Lily president.	president (Noun)
Consider	We consider this place perfect.	perfect (Adjective)
Declare	The judge declared the decision final.	final (Adjective)
Elect	They elected John class representative.	class representative (Noun)
Find	I find this book interesting.	interesting (Adjective)
Make	The news made her happy.	happy (Adjective)
Name	The principal named Alex head boy.	head boy (Noun)
Think	She thinks the idea brilliant.	brilliant (Adjective)

Types of Object Complement in Grammar with Examples

Here are the different types of object complements along with definition and examples:

Type	Definition	Examples
Noun as Object Complement	A noun that renames or redefines the direct object.	1. They elected John class president. 2. We consider her a genius.
Pronoun as Object Complement	A pronoun that renames the direct object. (Less common)	1. They chose him their leader.
Adjective as Object Complement	An adjective that describes or modifies the direct object.	1. She found the movie boring. 2. The judge declared the verdict final.
Noun Phrase as Object Complement	A noun phrase that renames or redefines the direct object.	1. The company appointed Sarah the new manager. 2. They considered the plan a complete failure.
Adjective Phrase as Object Complement	An adjective phrase that describes or modifies the direct object.	1. The news made her extremely happy. 2. The critics found the performance truly mesmerising.
Bare Infinitive as Object Complement	A verb without to that follows the direct object and completes the sentence.	1. She made him leave. 2. We saw them dance.
Infinitive Phrase as Object Complement	A phrase (to + verb) that explains or adds meaning to the direct object.	1. They encouraged her to pursue higher studies. 2. The coach advised them to practice daily.

Explore: 8 Types of Nouns You Must Know [with Definitions & Examples]

How to Identify an Object Complement in Grammar?

Identifying an object complement in grammar can seem tricky at first, but by following a few simple steps, one can become a pro in no time!

Step 1: Find the Direct Object: The first step is to locate the direct object in the sentence. The direct object is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb.

Example: They named the baby Sophia.
Explanation: In the sentence They named the baby Sophia, the direct object is the baby because it receives the action of the verb named.

Step 2: Identify the Main Verb: Next, find the verb in the sentence. Certain verbs, such as call, name, consider, make, find, elect, and declare, often take an object complement.

Example: The jury found him guilty.
Explanation: The verb found is used here to describe the state of him, the direct object.

Step 3: Look for the Word or Phrase After the Direct Object: Check if there is a word or phrase immediately following the direct object. This is the possible object complement.

Example: The jury found him guilty.
Explanation: The word guilty comes after the direct object him and describes his state, making it the object complement.

Step 4: Check if It Renames or Describes the Direct Object: Now, determine if the word or phrase renames or describes the direct object.

• If it renames the direct object, it is a noun object complement.
  
• If it describes the direct object, it is an adjective object complement.
  

Example of Noun Object Complement: We consider her a genius.
Explanation: A genius renames her (the object), making it a noun object complement.

Example of Object Complement: They painted the walls blue.
Explanation: Blue describes the walls (the object), making it an adjective object complement.

Step 5: Take the Sentence Completion Test (Helpful Tip)

If you remove the object complement, the sentence may still make sense but feel incomplete.

Example: The teacher called the assignment a masterpiece.
Explanation: Without a masterpiece, the sentence The teacher called the assignment feels incomplete. This confirms that a masterpiece is an object complement.

Object Complement vs.Subject Complement

In English grammar, object complements and subject complements play important roles in sentence structure. While both provide additional information, they differ in their placement and function. The following table highlights the key differences between both aspects of English Grammar.

Feature	Object Complement	Subject Complement
Definition	A word or phrase that follows a direct object and provides more information about the object by renaming or describing it.	A word or phrase that follows a linking verb and provides more information about the subject by renaming or describing it.
Follows	An action verb (call, name, elect, find, consider, appoint, make, declare)	A linking verb (is, are, was, were, become, seem, appear, look, taste, feel)
Function	Completes the meaning of the object by either renaming it (noun object complement) or describing it (adjective object complement).	Completes the meaning of the subject by either renaming it (predicate nominative) or describing it (predicate adjective).
Types	1. Noun Object Complement: A noun or pronoun that renames the object. 2. Adjective Object Complement: An adjective or adjective phrase that describes the object. 3. Infinitive Object Complement: An infinitive phrase that modifies the object.	1. Predicate Nominative: A noun or pronoun that renames the subject. 2. Predicate Adjective: An adjective that describes the subject.
Example	They elected John class president. Explanation: The noun class president renames the object John, making it a noun object complement.	She is a doctor. Explanation: The noun doctor renames the subject she, making it a predicate nominative (a type of subject complement).

Also Read: Noun Exercises with Answers for Practice

Object Complements vs. Indirect Objects

In English grammar, object complements and indirect objects are two important components of sentence structure. While both relate to the direct object, they serve different purposes. 

An object complement provides additional information about the direct object, either renaming or describing it. On the other hand, an indirect object identifies the recipient of the direct object. For more detailed differences, let us understand the differences between the two in an informative and concise way. 

Feature	Object Complements	Indirect Objects
Definition	A word or phrase that provides additional information about the direct object, renaming or describing it.	A noun or pronoun that receives the direct object or benefits from the action of the verb.
Function in the Sentence	Modifies or completes the meaning of the direct object.	Shows to whom or for whom the action of the verb is performed.
Parts of Speech	Can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective.	Always a noun or pronoun.
Position in Sentence	Comes after the direct object.	Comes before the direct object.
Example	The team made her happy. The word happy is an adjective describing the direct object her.	She gave John a gift. Here ‘John’ is the indirect object receiving a gift, which is the direct object.
Voices in Which these Can be Used	Object Complements cannot be used in the passive voice because they directly rename or describe the object.	Indirect objects can be used in passive constructions because they behave like a true object.

Object Complements vs. Predicate Adverbs

In English grammar, object complements rename or describe the direct object, while predicate adverbs modify the verb by adding details about time, manner, or place. Let’s explore their key differences in a clear and concise way.

Feature	Object Complements	Predicate Adverbs
Definition	A word or phrase that renames or describes the direct object.	An adverb that modifies the verb, providing information about time, place, manner, or degree.
Function	Completes or adds meaning to the direct object.	Modifies the main verb by giving additional details.
Parts of Speech	Can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective.	Always an adverb.
Position in Sentence	Comes after the direct object.	Comes after the verb or at the end of the sentence.
Effect on Sentence Meaning	Object Complement is important to complete the meaning of certain verbs by renaming or describing the object.	Predicate adverbs add extra information about how, when, where, or why the action happens.

Explore: Difference between Adjective and Noun

Object Complement Exercise for Students

To strengthen your understanding of the topic Object Complement, we have designed different exercises that focus on identifying, completing, and selecting the correct object complement in sentences. These exercises will help students recognize how object complements function and how they enhance sentence construction.

Exercise 1: Identify the Object Complement

Instruction: In the sentences below, identify the object complement and underline it.

1. They named their pet Buddy.

2. The court found the accused guilty.

3. The audience considered the performance outstanding.

4. The teacher made the test easier.

5. We elected Jessica president.

6. The critics called the movie a masterpiece.

7. He painted the car red.

8. The company appointed Rahul team leader.

9. She considers the book a classic.

10. The experience made him stronger.

Answers:

1. Buddy 2. Guilty 3. Outstanding 4. Easier 5. President 6. A masterpiece 7. Red 8. Team leader 9. A classic 10. Stronger

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Object Complement

Instruction: Choose the correct object complement from the options given in parentheses.

1. The students found the exam ___. (difficult / difficulty)

2. The court declared the defendant ___. (innocence / innocent)

3. His attitude made his parents ___. (happy / happiness)

4. The committee appointed him ___. (manager/management)

5. The painter colored the wall ___. (green / greenery)

6. The teacher considers her students ___. (intelligent / intelligence)

7. They made their home ___. (comfortable / comfort)

8. The boss called the project ___. (successful / success)

9. The team chose their captain ___. (motivated / motivation)

10. The new rules made the process ___. (simpler / simplicity)

Answers:

1. Difficult 2. Innocent 3. Happy 4. Manager 5. Green 6. Intelligent 7. Comfortable 8. Successful 9. Motivated 10. Simpler

Exercise 3: Rewrite the Sentences with Object Complements

Instructions: Rewrite the following sentences by adding a suitable object complement.

1. They appointed her ___.

2. The news made him ___.

3. We consider this idea ___.

4. She painted the house ___.

5. The court declared the man ___.

6. His speech left us ___.

7. The company made the workplace ___.

8. The teacher called his behavior ___.

9. His joke made everyone ___.

10. The training helped him become ___.

Answers:

1. Chief editor 2. Anxious 3. Brilliant 4. Yellow 5. Guilty 6. Speechless 7. More inclusive 8. Inappropriate 9. Laugh 10. Stronger

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Whether you are using a noun, adjective, or phrase, an object complement in English grammar refines the sentence. It helps in structuring and strengthening the connection between the verb and the object. After knowing what is an object complement in Grammar, one can easily improve writing and speaking skills in the English language.

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