Download Verb Phrases as Subject Complements

Nominal Functions of English Verbs
and Verb Phrase
Verb phrases are phrases that consist of a verb plus any modifiers,
complements, particles, and auxiliaries. English verbs and verb phrases
also perform seven nominal functions in English grammar. Nominal
functions are grammatical functions performed by nouns, noun
phrases, and noun clauses. The seven nominal functions of verbs and
phrases are:
1. Subject
2. Subject complement
3. Direct object
4. Object complement
5. Indirect object
6. Prepositional complement
7. Appositive
Verb Phrases as Subjects
The first nominal function that verbs and verb phrases perform is
the subject of a clause. Only verb phrases in the form of present
participles and infinitives can function as subjects. For example, the
following italicized verbs and verb phrases function as subjects:
 Swimming is good exercise.
 Reading books is educational.
.To forget to wear pants is embarrassing.
 To never visit the library disappoints librarians.
Traditional grammars generally use the term gerund for present
participles that perform nominal functions, or the functions filled by
nouns and noun phrases.
Verb Phrases as Subject Complements
The second nominal function that verbs and verb phrases perform is
the subject complement. Subject complements are defined as words
and phrases that follow a copular verb and refer back to the subject.
Predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives are both subject
complements. Only verb phrases in the form of present participles and
infinitives can function as subject complements. For example, the
following italicized verbs and verb phrases function as subject
complements:
 My favorite pastime is reading.
 His hobbies are writing and editing articles.
 Her weekend chores are washing the dishes and cleaning the
bathroom.
 My job is to repair damaged books.
 Her duties are to open and close the library.
Verb Phrases as Direct Objects
The third nominal function that verbs and verb phrases perform is
the direct object. Direct objects are traditionally defined as words,
phrases, and clauses that “receive the action of the verb.” Only verb
phrases in the form of present participles and infinitives can function as
direct objects. For example, the following italicized verbs and verb
phrases function as direct objects:
 I prefer reading fantasy literature.
 The cleaning staff dislikes picking up our messes.
 The dog enjoys chasing the cat.
 My husband prefers to read short stories.
 The boys like to swim.
 My children prefer to eat vegetables.
Verb Phrases as Object Complements
The fourth nominal function that verbs and verb phrases perform is
the object complement. Object complements are defined as words
and phrases that directly follow and modify the direct object. Only verb
phrases in the form of present participles can function as object
complements. For example, the following italicized verbs and verb
phrases function as object complements:
 I consider my favorite activity studying English grammar.
 Cultural analysts declare the American pastime playing baseball.
 The man finds his least favorite job cleaning the bathroom.
 My supervisor considers his least favorite duty dealing with
customers.

The teacher declared the extra homework to write a report.
Verb Phrases as Indirect Objects
The fifth nominal function that verbs and verb phrases perform is
the indirect object. Indirect objects are traditionally defined as words
and phrases “to or for whom or what the action of the verb is
performed.” Only verb phrases in the form of present participles can
function as indirect objects. For example, the following italicized verbs
and verb phrases function as indirect objects:
 The children gave eating new vegetables a try.
 My boss gave trying a different procedure a consideration.
 She gave pursuing another graduate degree serious thought.
 I had given preparing dinner some thought.
Verb Phrases as Prepositional Complements
The sixth nominal function that verbs and verb phrases perform is
the prepositional
complement.
Prepositional
complements
are
defined as words and phrases that function as the object of preposition.
Only verb phrases in the form of present participles can function as
prepositional complements. For example, the following italicized verbs
and verb phrases function as prepositional complements:
 The students are having problems with solving the assigned
equations.
 My professor strongly believes in consulting librarians with
research questions.
 Can we talk about planting a garden this summer?
 The publisher thanks you for writing the introduction to the book.
 My grandparents have been looking at selling the large house.
 Your little sister took care of watering the garden while we were
on vacation.
Verb Phrases as Appositives
The seventh nominal function that verbs and verb phrases perform is
the appositive. An appositive is a word, phrase, or clause that modifies
or explains another noun phrase. Only verb phrases in the form of
present participles and infinitives can function as appositives. For
example, the following italicized verbs and verb phrases function as
appositives:


My favorite activity, reading books, is something that I need to do
more often.
I heard that we share a hobby, gardening.



Your chores, putting away the dishes and the clean clothes, must
be finished by dinner.
My idea of a good time, to sit and ponder life, is not enjoyed by
everyone.
He is unhappy with his assigned tasks, to clean the shelves and
organize the books.