Created by the Evergreen Writing Center
Library 3407 867-6420
Sentence Patterns II:
Locating Objects and Complements
All grammatically correct sentences have at least one subject and one verb. But few sentences are
this simple; in most sentences, additional words follow the verb. These words are objects and
complements.
Verbs
There are two types of verbs: action verbs and linking verbs.
Linking verbs connect subjects with their descriptions.
Example: The oak tree is mighty.
Action verbs show us what is happening in a sentence. There are two types of action
verbs: intransitive and transitive.
Transitive verbs do require following words to complete their meaning.
Example: The leaves hit the ground.
Intransitive verbs do not require following words to complete their meaning.
Example: The leaves fell.
Recognizing Objects and Complements
So, what is it that comes after the verb? The answer to this question depends on the type of verb:
Linking Verbs
Linking verbs connect subjects with their following descriptions. The description that comes after
a linking verb is called a subject complement, because it completes—or complements—the
subject. A subject complement can be a noun or adjective, or it can be a phrase functioning as one
of these parts of speech.
Example: Today is the first day of spring. The air is fragrant.
V SC V SC
Transitive Verbs
Transitive verbs require following words, or objects, to complete their meanings. Objects can
take three different patterns:
Direct Object
A direct object is a noun that identifies who or what receives the action of the verb.
Example: The puppy devoured the steak
.
DO
Indirect Object + Direct Object
An indirect object is a noun that identifies for whom the action of the verb is performed or to
whom the direct object goes.
Example: My mom sent me
money.
IO DO
Direct Object + Object Complement
An object complement renames or describes the object. Like a subject complement, it can be a
noun or an adjective.
Example: The reporters declared the election
a windfall.
DO OC