LOOK AT YOUR SEATMATE AND

DESCRIBE HIM/HER.
What Is an Adjective
Complement?
You know what an adjective is, right? Now, what is
an adjective complement? Simply put, it's a clause
or phrase that modifies an adjective or adds to its
meaning. An adjective complement usually consists
of a noun clause or a prepositional phrase.
Types of Adjective
Complements
Noun Clause
A noun clause is simply two or more words that
function as a noun. It should have a subject and a
verb, and, since it takes the place of a noun, it's a
dependent clause and cannot stand alone. A noun
clause starts with the words "that," "how," "if," and the
"wh-" words - "what," "when," "why," etc.
1. when you arrived
2. that he is happy
3. where Sara went
Prepositional Phrase
A prepositional phrase starts with a preposition -
such as "with," "about," "on," or "in" - and is followed
by a noun, pronoun, noun phrase, pronoun phrase,
or noun clause.
1. with the car
2. under the bridge
3. after the show
Take a look at these example sentences with the
adjective complement underlined:
She was unsure how her parents would react. (noun
clause)
1. My boss was anxious when sales fell. (noun
clause)
2. Are you afraid of spiders? (prepositional phrase)
3. We were shocked by the news. (prepositional
phrase)
4. I was delighted that she was chosen. (noun
clause)
5. I am very surprised about the nomination.
(prepositional phrase)
6. The little boy was eager for Christmas to arrive.
(prepositional phrase)
7. I am curious what color you picked. (noun clause)
Subject Complements
A subject complement is one or more words which
acts as an adjective or noun and modifies or refers
to the subject of the sentence. It follows linking
verbs, such as: is, are, was, become, seems, tasted,
smells, and feels. For example:
1. Whales are beautiful.
2. She is a star!
3. The food smells delicious.
A subject complement is a word or phrase (usually
an adjective phrase, noun phrase, or pronoun) that
follows a linking verb and describes or renames the
subject of the sentence. Also called a subjective
complement.
1. The light in the chapel was warm and soft.
2. Mrs. Rigney was my fourth-grade teacher.
3. My fourth-grade teacher was exceptionally kind.
Object Complements
An object complement is one or more words which
acts as an adjective or noun and modifies or refers
to the direct object of the sentence. It follows the
direct object. For example:
Object Complement Examples:
He made her happy.
“her” is the direct object
“happy” is the object compliment
“happy” is what she, the direct object (“her”), has
become
1. The movie should keep them quiet.
2. I knight you Sir Peter.
3. The pizza party will get the students excited.
 4. I found the guard sleeping.
5. I declare this centre open.
6. We consider fish spoiled once it smells like what it
is.
7. To obtain a man's opinion of you, make him mad.
(Oliver Wendell Holmes, 1809-1894)
Verb Complements
Verb complements are phrases or clauses, like
adjective complements. They act as objects of
other verbs, either directly or indirectly.
It's important to note that verb complements may
include infinitives. Also, gerunds and noun clauses
may act as verb complements. For example:
A verb complement is the arrangement of one verb
as the object of another verb. This happens three
ways in English:
1. With infinitives

I asked her to leave.

I wanted to leave.
I helped him to leave.
I stopped for the child to cross the street.
2. With gerunds

I considered leaving the job.

I regretted his leaving the job.
They decided on leaving.
3. With noun clauses

I insisted that he leave.

I wondered why he left..
She acknowledged that she had left the job.
He didn’t know that she had left.
She decided when she would leave.
1. She wanted him to go. (infinitive)

3. He insisted that he pay the check. (noun

clause
Directions: Write A if the sentence used
noun phrase, B if prepositional phrase, C if
subject complement, D if object
complement and E if Verb complement.

1. I considered leaving the Army.

2. She is sweet.
3. We all consider her unworthy.
4. It was wrong of her to leave.
5. I will be happy when I get married.