Subject Complement
Verbs and verb phrases seventhly function as subject complements. A subject complement is a word, phrase, or clause that follows a copular or linking verb and describes the subject. The following italicized verbs are examples of subject complements:
- Her special talent is singing opera well.
- His weekend chores will be washing and folding the laundry.
- My favorite hobby is learning about grammar.
- Your job duties are to shelve books and to dust shelves.
Only verbs in the form of present participles and infinitives can perform the nominal function of subject complement.
Direct Object
Verbs and verb phrases eighthly function as direct objects. A direct object is a word, phrase, or clause that follows a transitive verb and answers the question "who or what" receives the action of the verb. The following italicized verbs are examples of direct objects:
- The brothers prefer watching football.
- Their sisters prefer to watch dramas.
- My coworkers enjoy gossiping about other coworkers.
- Squirrels like to climb trees.
Only verbs in the form of present participles and infinitives can perform the nominal function of direct object.
Object Complement
Verbs and verb phrases ninthly function as object complements. An object complement is a word, phrase, or clause that directly follows and describes the direct object. The following italicized verbs are examples of object complements:
- The teacher has pronounced the extra credit writing an additional report.
- My grandmother considered her favorite pastime observing nature.
- The child declares his least favorite chore mowing the lawn.
Only verbs in the form of present participles can perform the nominal function of object complement.
Indirect Object
Verbs and verb phrases tenthly function as indirect objects. An indirect object is a word, phrase, or clause that follows a ditransitive verb and answers the question "to or for whom or what" the action of the verb is performed. The following italicized verbs are examples of indirect objects:
- The young couple is giving having another baby serious consideration.
- Her roommate will give listening to jazz a try.
- He had given painting the living room some thought.
Only verbs in the form of present participles can perform the nominal function of indirect object. Verbs rarely function as indirect objects.
Prepositional Complement
Verbs and verb phrases eleventhly function as prepositional complements. Also called a complement of a preposition or an object of a preposition, a prepositional complement is a word, phrase, or clause that directly follows the preposition in a prepositional phrase. The following italicized verbs are examples of prepositional complements:
- We have been thinking about ordering a pizza for dinner.
- My grandmother believed in saying grace before eating.
- The students are having issues with finding the time for reading the assigned articles.
Only verbs in the form of present participles can perform the nominal function of prepositional complement.
Printable Download
For a printable study sheet of the eleven grammatical functions of verbs and verb phrases in English grammar, please download The Grammatical Functions of Verbs and Verb Phrases Reference Sheet.
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