retained object complement: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical, Academic (Linguistics/Grammar)
Quick answer
What does “retained object complement” mean?
In English grammar, a direct object that is 'kept' in its object position when a verb in the active voice is converted to the passive voice, even though it is semantically the 'subject' of the action.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In English grammar, a direct object that is 'kept' in its object position when a verb in the active voice is converted to the passive voice, even though it is semantically the 'subject' of the action.
A syntactic element that remains grammatically as an object pronoun (me, him, her, them, us) after a passive construction of verbs that take two objects (ditransitive). It represents the recipient or beneficiary of the action that is not promoted to the subject position.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage difference. The concept is identical in grammatical analysis across both varieties.
Connotations
Purely technical, with no cultural connotations.
Frequency
Equally rare outside linguistics textbooks and advanced language teaching.
Grammar
How to Use “retained object complement” in a Sentence
SVOO (active) -> SV (passive) with retained OSubject + passive verb + retained object (NP/pronoun) + (by-phrase)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “retained object complement” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The verb 'award' can be used in a construction featuring a retained object.
American English
- The verb 'grant' often appears in passive sentences with a retained object.
adverb
British English
- The word 'still' is not typically used with retained objects.
American English
- The adverb 'correctly' can modify a clause containing a retained object.
adjective
British English
- The retained object pronoun 'them' is less formal than the corresponding noun phrase.
American English
- A retained object NP like 'the team' is common in formal writing.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used exclusively in advanced grammar, syntax, and linguistics papers or textbooks.
Everyday
Never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in grammatical analysis for describing passive constructions of ditransitive verbs.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “retained object complement”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “retained object complement”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “retained object complement”
- Confusing the retained object with the subject of the passive sentence.
- Using an objective pronoun for the subject position (e.g., 'Her was given the award' is wrong; 'She was given the award' is correct).
- Forgetting that only verbs with two objects can have a retained object.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the indirect object from the active sentence that has been 'retained' in object position after the verb is made passive. It refers to the same entity.
No, only ditransitive verbs (verbs that can take two objects, like give, send, offer, show) can form passive constructions with a retained object.
It helps advanced learners understand and correctly form complex passive sentences, especially to avoid pronoun case errors (e.g., using 'She was given...' not 'Her was given...').
Typically, yes. In the standard structure 'Subject + passive verb + retained object + (by-agent)', the retained object is the first noun phrase after the verb.
In English grammar, a direct object that is 'kept' in its object position when a verb in the active voice is converted to the passive voice, even though it is semantically the 'subject' of the action.
Retained object complement is usually technical, academic (linguistics/grammar) in register.
Retained object complement: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈteɪnd ˈɒb.dʒɪkt/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈteɪnd ˈɑːb.dʒɛkt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: In the passive, an object is 'RETAINED' (kept) in the object spot, like a keepsake, while another object becomes the subject.
Conceptual Metaphor
GRAMMAR IS A CONSTRUCTION SITE: The direct object is 'promoted' to subject, but the indirect object is 'retained' on site in its original position.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence contains a retained object?