COMPLEMENTS
Direct Objects
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A complement is a word or words that complete
the meaning of a verb.
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A direct object is a noun, pronoun, or word
group that tells who or what receives the action
of the verb.
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The direct object answers the question “what”
after a transitive verb.
HOW TO FIND A DIRECT OBJECT
1.
Find the verb.
2. If it is an action verb, say
“verb what?”
3. If the question can be
answered, it is the direct
object.
EXAMPLES
My uncle sent me a postcard.
 Action verb…….
 SENT
 Sent what?
 Sent Postcard
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Postcard is the complement/direct object
EXAMPLES
Our history class built a model of the Alamo.
 Action verb…..
 BUILT
 Built what?
 Built model
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Model is the complement/direct object
EXAMPLES
Has the freeze destroyed some of the crops?
 Action verb….
 Destroyed
 Destroyed what?
 Destroyed some
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Some is the complement/direct object.
EXAMPLES
Mrs. Daniell planted tulips and daffodils.
 Action verb….
 Planted
 Planted what?
 Planted tulips and daffodils.
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Tulips/daffodils are the complements/direct
objeccts
ASSIGNMENT
Grammar
book—
Pg. 402, #1-10 (follow
directions on page)
PG. 402
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1. On the plains of the American West, the Cheyenne hunted
buffalo for food and clothing.
Hunted what?
Buffalo--do
2. We watched a performance of Lorraine hansberry’s A Raisin
in the Sun.
Watched what?
Performance—do
3. During most of its history, the US has welcomed refugees
from other countries.
Welcomed what?
Refugees--do
PG. 402
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4. The leading man wore a hat with a large plume.
Wore what?
Hat—do
5. Are you recycling bottles and cans?
Are recycling what?
Bottles and cans—do
6. After the game, the coach answered questions from the
sports reporters.
Answered what?
Questions—do
7. Did you see her performance on television?
See what?
Performance--do
PG. 402
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8. The researchers followed the birds’ migration from Mexico to
Canada.
Followed what
Migration--do
9. Mayor fiorello La Guadia governed New York City during the
Depression.
Governed what?
New York City--do
10. Have the movie theaters announced the special discount
for teenagers yet?
Announced what?
Discount--do
INDIRECT OBJECT
An
indirect object is a noun,
pronoun, or word group that
sometimes appears in sentences
containing direct objects.
DIRECTIONS
 1.
If there is a direct object, ask “to
whom?”or “to what?” or “for whom?”
or “for what?”
 2. If the question can be answered
and can be found BETWEEN the verb
and the direct object, it is the
INDIRECT OBJECT.
EXAMPLES
Luke showed the class his collection of comic
books.
 Action verb….
 Showed
 Showed what?
 Showed collection
 To whom?
 The class
 Class is the indirect object and collection is the
direct object.
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EXAMPLES
Connor bought us a map of Alabama.
 Action verb….
 Bought
 Bought what?
 Bought map-------map is the direct object
 For whom?
 For us
 Us is the indirect object and map is the direct
object
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EXAMPLES
Dad gave whatever needed fixing his full
attention.
 Action verb…..
 Gave
 Gave what?
 Gave attention-------attention is d.o.
 Gave attention to what?
 To whatever needed fixing
 Whatever needed fixing
 Whatever needed fixing is the indirect object
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ASSIGNMENT
Pg.
404
Exercise 4, #1-10
PG. 404
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1. They sent me on a wild-goose chase.
Sent what ?
Me—do
2. Gloria mailed the company a check yesterday.
Mailed what?
Check--do
To whom?
Company--io
3. The speaker showed the audience the slides of Zimbabwe.
Showed what?
Slides—do
To whom?
Audience--io
PG. 404
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4. Juan would not deliberately tell you and me a lie.
Would tell what?
Lie--do
To whom?
You and me—io
5. The coach praised the students for their school spirit.
Praised what?
Students—do
6. I sent my cousins some embroidered pillows for their new
apartment in New York.
Sent what?
Pillows—do
To whom?
Cousins--io
PG. 404
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7. The art teacher displayed the students’ paintings.
Displayed what?
Paintings—do
What is students’?
Plural—not an io
8. Sue’s parents shipped her the books and the magazines.
Shipped what?
Books and magazines--do
To whom?
Her—io
PG. 404
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9. Carly, Mary Ellen, and Doreen taught themselves the
importance of hard work.
Taught what?
Importance—do
To whom?
Themselves—io
10. In most foreign countries, US citizens must carry their
passports for identification.
Must carry what?
Passports--do