To recap: An Object Complement follows a Direct Object and gives us more information about that object. It answers: "What did the object become?" or "What do we think of the object?"
1. The Adjective (and Adjective Phrase)
Function: Describing the state or quality of the Object.
We touched on this as the "Predicative Object." You can use a single adjective or a longer Adjective Phrase (an adjective + modifiers like "very," "too," "extremely").
- Structure: Verb + Object + [Adjective Phrase]
- The Logic: The action causes the object to have this quality, or the subject perceives this quality in the object.
Examples:
- Single Adjective: "Keep your room clean."
- Adjective Phrase: "They made the test impossibly difficult."
- Adjective Phrase: "I found his apology too little, too late."
Common Verbs: make, paint, get, keep, find, consider, prove.
2. The Noun Phrase
Function: Renaming or Labeling the Object.
This is very common when talking about jobs, titles, or names. Instead of describing a quality (like "happy"), you are giving the object a new identity.
- Structure: Verb + Object + [Noun Phrase]
- The Logic: Object = Noun Phrase. You can put an "equals sign" between them.
Examples:
- Naming: "They named the baby John." (Baby = John)
- Titles: "The board appointed her Vice President." (Her = Vice President)
- Insults/Compliments: "He called me an idiot." (Me = Idiot)
- Transformation: "The movie made him a star." (Him = A star)
Common Verbs: appoint, call, choose, elect, make, name, vote, crown.
3. The Prepositional Phrase
Function: Describing the state, location, or condition of the Object.
Sometimes, you need a preposition (in, on, at, without) to describe the condition the object is left in.
- Structure: Verb + Object + [Prepositional Phrase]
- The Logic: The phrase acts exactly like an adjective. "In tears" = "Sad."
Examples:
- State of mind: "We found him in a bad mood."
- Condition: "The fire left the house in ruins."
- Position: "I want you off my property."
- Value: "They consider the painting of little value."
4. The "As" Phrase (The Bridge)
Some verbs feel "naked" without a connector. We often use the preposition "as" to connect the object to its complement. This is a variation of the Noun Phrase complement.
- Direct (No "As"): "I consider him a genius."
- With "As": "I regard him as a genius."
Verbs that usually take "As":
- Regard ... as
- Describe ... as
- Treat ... as
- Accept ... as
A Quick Test: "To Be"
If you are unsure if a phrase is an Object Complement, try inserting "to be" before it. If the sentence retains its meaning, it is likely a complement.
- Sentence: "I consider him honest."
- Test: "I consider him to be honest." (Works!)
- Sentence: "They elected her President."
- Test: "They elected her to be President." (Works!)