Complements(Not the ones you give to other

people, like

I like your outfit!)

A complement is

A word or group of words that completes the

predicate of the sentence.

1. Predicate Nominative

Noun or pronoun that explains or identifies the subject

Follows a linking verb

Angela will be our soloist.

A whale is a mammal.

A Hint

You should be able to reverse the subject with the predicate nominative.

Think of a mirror image.

Angela is our soloist.

Our soloist is Angela.

2. Predicate adjective

An adjective that modifies the subject

Follows a linking verb

The soup is too hot.

The plant looks dry.

A Hint

If the subject is a noun, then you should be able to put the predicate adjective in front of the subject.

The man is sunburned.

The sunburned man…

3. Direct Object

Noun or pronoun that receives or shows the result of an action.

Answers the question “what”? or “whom”?

Follows an action verb

Her poem won an award.

Ask yourself “poem won what”?

4. Indirect Object

Noun or pronoun that is before the DO and tells “to whom” or “for whom”

Follows an action verbYou can’t have an IO without a DO

Sam sold me the football tickets.

(ask yourself “sold tickets to whom”?)

Here is a flow chart to help you identify complements.

Identify the verb

Action verb Linking Verb

Say the verb and “who” or

“what” = direct object

Say the verb and “to whom” or “for whom” = indirect object

Noun renames the subject

= predicate nominative

Adjective describing the subject

= predicate adjective