Pattern 5: subject + verb + object + complement

The subject of a sentence can be followed later by a complement. This is a word or group of words that complete its meaning. For example:
She became a freelance business writer.
The words a freelance business writer complete the subject she. They are the subject complement.

The object of the sentence can also have a complement, in sentences like this:

The object complement

The object complement:

• comes after the object
• provides additional information about the object
• can be:
  - a noun or 'noun-like thing' (as in They made me secretary), or
  - an adjective like happy.

© John Seely 2008