Download What Is a Subject Complement? (with Examples)

Four Sentence Types
1. Declarative Sentences
2. Imperative Sentences
3. Exclamatory Sentences
4. Interrogative Sentences
1-Declarative Sentences
Declarative sentences make a statement to relay information or ideas. They are punctuated
with a simple period.
Examples of Declarative Sentences:
The concert begins in two hours.
Green is my favorite color.
July 4th is Independence Day.
2-Imperative Sentences
Imperative sentences issue commands or requests or they can express a desire or wish. They
are punctuated with a simple period :
stop
Watch the car.
Respond immediately.
Please, lower your voice.
Meet me at the town square.
Drop what you’re doing and come celebrate with us!
(more information about imperative sentences)
3-Exclamatory Sentences
Exclamatory sentences express strong emotion.. Exclamatory sentences always end in an
exclamation mark.
Examples of Exclamatory Sentences
Oh, my goodness, I won!
What exceptional children these are!
4-Interrogative Sentences
Interrogative sentences always ask a question and end in a question mark.
Examples of Interrogative Sentences:
Is it snowing?
Have you had breakfast?
Do you want Coke or Pepsi?
Who are you taking to the prom?
You like Mexican food, don’t you?
What Is an Object Complement? (with Examples)
An object complement is a noun, a pronoun, or an adjective which follows a direct
object to rename it or state what it has become.
Verbs of making (e.g., to make, to create) or naming (e.g., to name, to call, to elect)
often attract an object complement. In the examples below, the object complements are
shaded and the direct objects are in bold.

To make her happy

To name her Heidi
However, lots of verbs can take an object complement. For example:

To consider someone stupid

To paint something purple

To catch somebody stealing
Examples of Object Complements
Here are some more examples of object complements:

I found the guard sleeping.

We all consider her unworthy.

I declare this centre open.

We consider fish spoiled once it smells like what it is.

To obtain a man's opinion of you, make him mad. (Oliver Wendell Holmes, 18091894)
An object complement is not always one word. It could be a phrase. For example:

I found the guard sleeping in the barn.

We all consider her unworthy of the position.
What Is a Subject Complement? (with Examples)
A subject complement is a word or phrase which follows a linking verb (e.g., to be, to
become, to appear, to feel, to look, to smell, to taste) and describes or identifies
the subject. A subject complement is either an adjective, a noun, or a pronoun. For
example (subject complements shaded):

He will be fine.
(The linking verb is will be (i.e., the verb to be). The subject complement describes
the subject He. It is an adjective.)

Ben is a policeman.
(The linking verb is is (i.e., the verb to be). The subject complement identifies the
subject Ben. It is a noun.)

I am he.
(The linking verb is am (i.e., the verb to be). The subject complement identifies the
subject I. It is a pronoun.)

That pie looks burnt to a cinder.
(The linking verb is looks. The subject complement describes the subject That pie. It
is an adjective. Don't forget adjectives (just like nouns) also come in the form
of phrases.)
Read more about adjective phrases.
Read more about noun phrases.
More Examples of Subject Complements
In the examples below the subject complements are shaded and the linking verbs are
bold:

Ella was a ghost. She appeared at 12 and looked stunning.

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like
work . (Thomas A Edison, 1847-1931)
(Remember, adjectives and nouns can come in the forms of adjective
phrases and noun phrases too.)

If you put butter and salt on popcorn, it tastes like salty butter. (Terry Pratchett)

As for me, except for an occasional heart attack, I feel as young as I ever did. (Robert
Benchley, 1889-1945)