objective complement
LowTechnical / Academic
Definition
Meaning
A word or phrase that follows a direct object and renames, describes, or identifies it.
In grammar, a complement that completes the meaning of a verb by modifying or describing the direct object. It is essential to the sentence's meaning and typically follows verbs like 'consider', 'make', 'elect', 'paint', etc.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a term from descriptive grammar, specifically syntax. It describes a grammatical function, not a lexical item. In traditional grammar, it is often called an "object complement."
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or use of the term. Both varieties use the term in grammatical analysis.
Connotations
None. Purely technical.
Frequency
Equally low in both varieties, confined to linguistic/educational contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject + Verb + Direct Object + Objective Complement (Noun/Adjective)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in linguistics, grammar textbooks, and language teaching methodology.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in grammatical analysis and syntax description.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- 'Paint' can take an objective complement, as in 'They painted the fence green.'
American English
- 'Consider' often takes an objective complement, like in 'I consider him a friend.'
adverb
British English
- Adverbs generally do not function as objective complements.
American English
- Adverbs are rarely, if ever, objective complements.
adjective
British English
- 'Green' is the objective complement in 'We painted the shed green.'
American English
- 'Tired' is the objective complement in 'The run made everyone tired.'
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher called the student clever.
- We painted the room blue.
- The committee elected her chairperson.
- I find his behaviour utterly baffling.
- The court declared the contract void.
- His experience made him a cautious investor.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: Objective = relates to the Object. The Objective Complement completes the Object.
Conceptual Metaphor
A finishing touch (complement) applied to the receiver of the action (object).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'дополнение' (complement/object). Russian does not have a direct one-word equivalent; it is described as 'именная часть составного сказуемого при подлежащем-дополнении'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing it with a subject complement (which follows a linking verb).
- Misidentifying an adverb or prepositional phrase after the object as an objective complement.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences contains an objective complement?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in most modern grammar texts, 'object complement' is the more common term. 'Objective complement' is a traditional label with the same meaning.
Most commonly a noun (or noun phrase) or an adjective (or adjective phrase).
Rarely. In a few fixed expressions like 'I consider it of great importance', some analysts might classify 'of great importance' as such, but it is debatable.
First, find the direct object. Then ask: what word or phrase directly after it renames or describes that object? That word/phrase is the objective complement. It is essential to complete the verb's meaning.