How to Identify Object Complements in a Sentence (with Examples)
Understanding object complements in English grammar helps students write clear, complete sentences for exams, essays, and speaking tasks. Object complements add important information about the direct object, making your meaning precise. At Vedantu, we break down this topic simply so every learner can master complex sentence structures and improve both spoken and written English.
| Sentence | Verb | Direct Object | Object Complement |
|---|---|---|---|
| We elected Sumit captain. | elected | Sumit | captain |
| She made the dress beautiful. | made | the dress | beautiful |
| They named the ship Titan. | named | the ship | Titan |
What is an Object Complement?
An object complement is a word or phrase that describes or renames the direct object. This part of a sentence gives extra meaning, making your writing clearer and more exact. Object complements are common in exam questions and in daily English use.
- Example: We painted the wall blue. ("the wall" = direct object, "blue" = object complement)
- Example: The team elected Maria leader. ("Maria" = direct object, "leader" = object complement)
How to Identify Object Complements
Object complements come right after the direct object and further describe or rename it. They appear most often with certain verbs that mean "make", "name", "call", or "find". Recognizing these structures is important for school exams and sentence correction tasks.
- Look for a word after the object that gives more information about it.
- Check if removing the complement leaves the sentence incomplete or changes the meaning.
| Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| make | They made him captain. |
| call | We call our dog Bruno. |
| name | Parents named the baby Sara. |
| consider | I consider this movie boring. |
| find | We found the room empty. |
Types of Object Complements
Object complements can be different parts of speech. Knowing these types helps with error spotting and sentence transformation in exams like Class 8 or Class 10 English grammar papers.
- Noun: They elected Rahul president. ("president" renames "Rahul")
- Adjective: The judge found him guilty. ("guilty" describes "him")
- Noun Phrase: She made the class star performers. ("star performers" renames "the class")
- Adjective Phrase: We left him very upset. ("very upset" describes "him")
- Clause: I consider the story what kids need. ("what kids need" explains "the story")
Object Complement vs Other Sentence Elements
Students often mix up object complements with subject complements, adverbs, or indirect objects. This table shows the main differences and clarifies how each works in a sentence.
| Element | Follows | Describes/Renames | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Object Complement | Direct Object | Direct Object | They named the puppy Max. |
| Subject Complement | Linking Verb | Subject | The boy is clever. |
| Adverb | Verb | Verb/Clause | She spoke quickly. |
| Indirect Object | Verb | Receives Direct Object | He gave her a gift. |
Object Complement Examples in Sentences
Here are more object complement examples with the object and complement highlighted. Practising these helps with quick identification and sentence writing.
- I found the task easy.
- They called the child genius.
- We consider Riya honest.
- She made the essay perfect.
- The group chose him leader.
- The movie left us confused.
- He painted his bike red.
- The teacher named Sam monitor.
- We kept the room clean.
- She declared the plan a success.
Common Verbs That Take Object Complements
Not every verb works with object complements. Here are verbs you’re likely to see in exam questions or exercises:
- make
- call
- name
- find
- consider
- appoint
- elect
- declare
- paint
- keep
- choose
- leave
Practice Sentences: Identify the Object Complement
Try finding the object complement in each sentence. This builds confidence for school and competitive English tests.
- I consider this story inspiring.
- They elected Sima vice-captain.
- The joke made us happy.
- The audience found the speech interesting.
- The teacher called Rohit talented.
Quick Tips to Avoid Mistakes with Object Complements
- Never use object complements after linking verbs like "is" or "are"—those are for subject complements.
- Remember: Object complements must refer to and describe or rename the direct object.
- Not all transitive verbs allow an object complement. Learn common ones from exam lists.
- If removing the supposed complement changes or weakens the meaning, it’s likely needed.
- Practice with sentences from past exams and use Vedantu’s grammar quizzes for extra help.
Related Grammar Topics for Practice
- Subject and Predicate
- Linking, Intransitive & Transitive Verbs
- Noun Phrase
- Predicate Adjective
- Subject Complement
- Sentence Structure Quiz
- Direct and Indirect Speech
- Parts of Speech
- Types of Sentences
- Transformation of Sentences
To sum up, object complements are words or phrases that rename or describe the direct object in a sentence. They help make your writing clearer and your sentences complete. Learn to spot and use object complements with Vedantu’s guides to get an edge in school, exams, and clear communication every day.
FAQs on Object Complement: Meaning, Types, and Examples
1. What is an object complement in English grammar?
An object complement is a word or phrase that describes or renames the direct object of a sentence. It completes the meaning of the sentence by providing additional information about the direct object. For example, in the sentence "They elected her president," "president" is the object complement because it describes the direct object "her."
2. What are some common object complement examples?
Object complement examples include nouns, adjectives, and phrases that further define the direct object. Here are some examples:
• They named their daughter Olivia. (noun)
• The experience made him happy. (adjective)
• We painted the house a bright blue. (adjective phrase)
• They considered him a genius. (noun phrase)
3. Which verbs are usually followed by object complements?
Verbs that often take object complements are those that indicate making, naming, electing, considering, or appointing something/someone as something else. Examples include: make, consider, call, elect, paint, and name. These verbs require a direct object and an additional word or phrase to complete their meaning.
4. How do you distinguish between object complements and subject complements?
The key difference lies in what they describe: object complements describe the direct object and follow action verbs, while subject complements describe the subject and follow linking verbs. For example: "They elected her president" (object complement); "She is a teacher" (subject complement).
5. Can an object complement be an adjective?
Yes, an object complement can be an adjective. It describes or modifies the direct object, providing further information. For instance, in "They found the house empty," "empty" is an adjective acting as an object complement.
6. What is the difference between a direct object and an object complement?
A direct object receives the action of the verb, while an object complement describes or renames that direct object. For example, in "They painted the wall blue," "wall" is the direct object, and "blue" is the object complement describing the wall.
7. Can a sentence have both an indirect object and an object complement?
While rare, a sentence can include both an indirect object and an object complement. The indirect object typically precedes the direct object, which is then followed by the object complement. The sentence structure generally involves verbs of giving or appointing.
8. Is passive voice possible with object complements?
No, passive voice constructions generally don't retain object complements. When transforming an active sentence with an object complement into the passive voice, the object complement is typically omitted or rephrased to maintain grammatical accuracy.
9. Can a clause act as an object complement?
Yes, a clause can function as an object complement, adding more complex descriptive information about the direct object. This often occurs in more complex sentence structures.
10. What are the types of object complements?
Object complements can be: nouns, adjectives, noun phrases, adjective phrases, and even clauses. The type depends on the specific sentence structure and the information being provided about the direct object.
11. How can I quickly identify an object complement in exam sentences?
To quickly identify an object complement, look for a word or phrase following the direct object that renames or describes it. Often, this occurs with verbs like 'make,' 'call,' 'name,' or 'elect.' Pay close attention to the relationship between the direct object and the complementing phrase.
12. What are 5 examples of subject complements?
Subject complements describe the subject of a sentence. Examples include:
• She is a doctor.
• He seems happy.
• The cake smells delicious.
• The answer appears correct.
• They remained friends.
