Subject complement

Definition

A subject complement is a word or group of words that follows a linking verb and provides additional information about the subject of the sentence, often describing or identifying it. It serves to complete the meaning of the subject by linking it to more details, enhancing understanding of the subject's state or identity. Understanding subject complements is crucial for grasping how sentences are structured and how meaning is conveyed in English.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Subject complements can be nouns, pronouns, or adjectives that follow linking verbs such as 'is', 'are', 'was', and 'were'.
2. They help to clarify or elaborate on what the subject is or what condition it is in, thus playing a vital role in sentence construction.
3. In sentences with a predicate nominative, the subject complement identifies the subject in a more definitive way, like saying 'She is a teacher.'
4. Adjective complements enhance understanding by providing descriptive qualities about the subject, like saying 'The cake is delicious.'
5. Identifying subject complements can help in analyzing sentence structure and improving writing clarity by ensuring complete thoughts.

Review Questions

• How does a subject complement function within a sentence to enhance meaning?
  • A subject complement works by following a linking verb to provide additional information about the subject, effectively enhancing the meaning of the sentence. It helps clarify what the subject is or describes its condition, making sentences more informative. For example, in 'The sky is blue,' 'blue' acts as a subject complement that describes the subject 'sky'.
• Differentiate between a predicate nominative and an adjective complement as types of subject complements.
  • A predicate nominative renames or identifies the subject and typically takes the form of a noun or pronoun, as seen in sentences like 'He is a doctor.' In contrast, an adjective complement provides descriptive information about the subject's qualities or states and usually follows linking verbs. An example is in 'The flowers are beautiful,' where 'beautiful' describes the flowers.
• Evaluate the impact of using clear subject complements on effective communication in writing.
  • Using clear and precise subject complements significantly enhances effective communication by ensuring that sentences convey complete thoughts with clarity. Well-structured subject complements provide necessary details that help readers understand the intended message without ambiguity. For instance, a vague sentence like 'The team is' can be transformed into a more informative one with a clear complement: 'The team is winning,' which offers specific context and enhances reader engagement.

Related terms

Linking verb: A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence to a subject complement, indicating a state of being rather than action.

Predicate nominative: A type of subject complement that renames or identifies the subject, usually following a linking verb.

Adjective complement: An adjective that describes the subject or provides more information about its qualities, often following linking verbs like 'is' or 'seems'.