What is an Object Complement in Grammar? Definitions and Examples

In English grammar, an object complement helps to provide more information about the object in the sentence. It describes or renames the object, providing a clear meaning of the sentence.

In this article, you will learn what object complement is, how it functions, and its types. You will also learn how to identify an object complement in the sentence as well as how an object complent is used correctly.

What is Object Complement?

An object complement is a noun, adjective, or phrase that follows the direct object and describes or renames it. It completes the meaning of the sentence.

• They made her happy.
• We call him a genius.
• They named the baby Oliver.

How Object Complements Function in a Sentence

In a sentence, an object complement:

• gives extra information about the object
• modifies or renames the object
• usually follows certain verbs

Common Verbs That Take an Object Complement

Not all verbs can take an object complement. Some common verbs that do include:

• Make
• Call
• Name
• Find
• Consider

Types of Object Complements

1. Noun as an Object Complement

A noun can act as an object complement when it renames the object. For example:

• They elected him president. 

Here, the noun “president” is renamed “him,” and so it is acting as an object complement. 

She called her cat Luna. 

• The noun Luna renames her cat. 

2. Adjective as an object complement

An adjective can act as an object complement when it describes the object. 

For example:

• The joke made her angry.
• They painted the walls blue. 

In these examples, the words “angry” and “blue” are both adjectives, and they are functioning as object complements.

3. Prepositional Phrase as an Object Complement

A prepositional phrase can also function as an object complement, adding more meaning to the object. 

Examples:

• The judge found him in the wrong.

The phrase “in the wrong” describes him. 

• They set the prisoner at liberty. 

The phrase “at liberty” describes the prisoner. 

How to Identify an Object Complement in a Sentence

1. Object Complements vs. Subject Complements

Object complements and subject complements are two distinct concepts in English grammar. A subject complement describes the subject of the sentence and follows linking verbs in the sentence. For example:

• She is a doctor. 

In this example, the subject complement “doctor” is describing the subject “her”. 

In contrast, an object complement describes and follows action verbs in sentences. See the following example:

• They called her a doctor. 
• Here, the word “doctor” describes the object “her”.

2. Object Complements vs Direct Objects

The difference between an object complement and a direct object is that a direct object receives the action of the verb in the sentence. However, an object complement adds more information about the direct object. 

For example:

• She made him a leader.

Here, the word “him” is a direct object, and “a leader” is an object complement.

3. Sentence Patterns with Object Complements

The typical structure of a sentence with an object complement is:

Subject + Verb + Direct Object + Object Complement

Examples:

• The court declared him guilty.
• We found the lesson useful.
• They appointed her manager.

Examples of Object Complements in Sentences

• They named their dog Max.
• She made the room cozy.
• The teacher found the test challenging.
• The students consider the new rule unfair, but they must follow it.
• I find this book more interesting than the previous one.
• They declared the project a success after months of hard work. 
• They named the baby Emily.
• The news made me sad.
• I don’t consider the movie boring.
• They didn’t find the food delicious.

Conclusion

An object complement is an important part of a sentence that renames or describes the direct object. It adds more detail and clarity to sentences.

Object complements follow the direct object and complete its meaning. They can be nouns, adjectives, or prepositional phrases. They usually follow certain verbs, not all verbs. 

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