GRAMMAR NOTES
COMPLEMENTS PART I:
SUBJECT COMPLEMENTS
What is a complement?
A complement is a word or group of words that
completes the meaning of a verb. Complements
include subject complements, direct objects,
indirect objects and objective complements.
Subject Complements
A subject complement follows a linking verb and
describes or renames the subject. There are two kinds of
subject complements:
■ Predicate adjectives
■ Predicate nominatives
Quick Review of Linking Verbs
■ Linking verbs are verbs that link the subject of the
sentence (usually the first word(s) with a word that
describes it in the predicate (that’s the predicate
adjective/nominative).
■ There are two types of linking verbs
– Forms of “be”
■ Am, is, are, was were, being, been
– Verbs that express condition
■ Look, smell, feel, sound, taste, grow, appear, become,
seem, remain
Predicate Adjectives
Predicate adjectives describe subjects by telling which one,
what kind, how much, or how many.
EX: During the 1930’s, the jitterbug became popular.
Subject
Linking Verb
Predicate
Adjective
Predicate Nominatives
Predicate nominatives are nouns and pronouns that rename,
identify, or define subjects.
EX: The jitterbug is a dance variation.
Subject
Linking Verb
Predicate
Nominative