Object Complement Examples in English

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Let us understand what is Object Complement?

What is Object Complement?

An object complement is a noun, pronoun, or adjective that follows a specific object to rename or to say what it is and what it has become.

Simply put, it can be a word or a phrase that gives more meaning to a specific object. In a sense, it explains what the direct object has become.

Let us summarize

An Object Complement:

  • follows a direct object
  • provides additional information to a direct object or says what a direct object has become
  • can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective
  • typically follows certain verbs

Examples of Object Complements

Here are some examples of object complements (shaded in grey) with direct objects in (bold):

  • I found the attendant sleeping.
  • We all consider him unworthy.
  • I declare this branch open.
  • We consider fish spoiled once it smells like what it is.
  • To obtain a man’s opinion of you, make him mad.
  • I found the attendant sleeping in the barn.
  • We all consider him unworthy of the position

Further, an object complement can be a noun, pronoun or adjective. Let us understand each complement with the help of examples:

Object Complements as Nouns

A noun object complement can be a single word or a phrase.

Polish named Julie the new Officer.

  • “Julie” is the direct object
    • “the new officer” is a noun phrase
    • “the new officer” is the object compliment
    • “the new officer” is what Julie, the direct object, has become

Object Complements as Pronouns

They chose the cadet who was best.

  • “the cadet” is the direct object
    • “who was best” is a relative pronoun phrase
    • “who was best” is the object compliment
    • “who was best” is what the cadet, the direct object, has become

Object Complements as Adjectives

An adjective object complement can be a single word or a phrase.

We considered her honest.

  • “her” is the direct object
    • “honest” is an adjective
    • “honest” is the object compliment
    • “honest” is what she, the direct object (“her”), has become

Keep exploring EnglishBix to learn about subject complement and see how it is different from object complement.