Subject, Verb, Direct Object, Complement

2.6 Subject, Verb, Direct Object, Complement

ADJECTIVE COMPLEMENT An adjective complement completes the verb and refers to the direct object.

It is the usually a noun or an adjective.

The juniors chose Sam Ackerson class orator. (Chose Sam Ackerson what? Orator. The noun orator refers to the direct object; Sam Ackerson.)

The executioner found Sydney Carton ready. (Found Sydney Carton what? Ready. The adjective ready refers to the direct object, Sydney Carton.)

Do not mistake a sentence with a indirect object for a sentence with an objective complement.

Ellen made Dad a knitted tie. (Made for Dad a tie. Dad is the indirect object; tie is the direct object.)

Ellen made Dad proud of her. (Made Dad what? Proud. Dad is the direct object; proud is the objective complement.)

A verb which takes an objective complement in the active voice may in the passive voice take a predicate noun or a predicate adjective.

Active

Objective complement: The basketball team chose Frank captain.

Passive

Predicate noun: Frank was chosen captain by the basketball team.

Active

Objective complement: Dad has painted our boat maroon.

Predicate adjective: Our boat have been painted maroon by Dad.

The active voice with the objective complement is usually more vivid and forceful than the passive.

1.  Mrs. Hollis considers the dictionary the most valuable reference book.

The objective complement reference book completes the verb and refers to the direct object, dictionary. The line slants toward the object.

2.  Years of care and anxiety had made George Washington homesick for Mount Vernon and eager for a quiet retirement.

Homesick eager are a compound objective complement. They complete the verb had made and refers to the direct object, George Washington.

PRACTICE 16. Using the Objective Complement

Change each of the following sentences in the passive voice to a sentence in the active voice. Use an objective complement in each. Underline the objective complement.

Example: I was made afraid by the sudden noise.

The sudden noise made me afraid.

1. Sally was elected president by the junior class.

2. Sue Johnson was voted most popular by the senior class.

3. The brown grass was sprayed green by Dad.

4. Jim is considered a great with by his friends.

5. The pink dogwood is considered by many people the most people the most beautiful flowering tree.

RETAINED OBJECT A verb which takes an indirect object in the active voice may in the passive voice retain a direct object (called the «retained object»).

Active voice, with indirect object: Mr. Tompkins gave the new pitcher his instructions (Instructions is the direct object; pitcher is the indirect object.)

Passive voice with retained object: The new pitcher was given his instructions by Mr. Tompkins. (Instructions is the retained object)

The active voice with an indirect object is usually preferable to the passive voice with a retained object. Where the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant, however, the retained object is a useful device.

For the prevention of scurvy each British sailor was allotted a daily ration of lemon juice. (Ration is the retained object)

The astronaut was an awarded a medal for his achievements.

The retained object medal is separated from the verb by a wavy line.

RETAINED INDIRECT OBJECT An indirect object may also be retained in the passive voice.

Active voice: They gave the winner of the spelling bee a prize.

Passive voice: A prize was given the winner of the spelling bee. (Winner is a retained indirect object. The passive does not emphasize the doer of the action.)

Two hamsters were given him for Christmas.

The retained indirect object him is diagramed like a regular indirect object.

PRACTICE 17. Identifying Parts of the Simple Sentence D

Diagram the following sentences.

OR Copy the following sentences, skipping every other line. Underline every simple or compound subject once and every predicate verb twice. Enclose every prepositional phrase in parentheses. Identify all forms listed below. Write the abbreviation above the word.

p.a.–predicate adjective ap.–appositive

p.n.–predicate noun a.n.–adverbial noun

p.pr.–predicate pronoun o.c.–objective complement

d.o.–direct object r.o.–retained object

i.o.–indirect objects r.i.o.–retained indirect object

o.p.–object of preposition

1 We found Scott uneasy (about his examination).

2. The boys were given excellent advice (for the selection) (of a college).

3. Heavy insulation will make the doghouse warm and cozy.

4. The princes in «The Lady or the Tiger?» is given two choices.

5. Dad painted the living room a light shade (of green)

6 A reward was offered her.

PRACTICE 18 Using Retained Objects

Change each of the following sentences with indefinite subjects into sentences with retained objects.

Example: They gave us three suggestions for starting a coin collection.

We were given three suggestions for starting a coin collection.

1.  They gave the pirates five minutes for their decision.

2.  they told us nothing about the change in regulations

3.  They gave us a week for filing final applications.

4.  They awarded Perry Mason’s client a substantial judgment.

5.  They sent us folders on careers.

PRACTICE 19 Changing Passive to Active

Change each of the following sentences with retained object to forceful sentences in the active voice.

Example: I was given a pearl necklace by Aunt Martha.

Aunt Martha gave me a pearl necklace.

1.  I was told my favorite story about my father’s childhood escapades by my grandmother.

2.  Johnny was sent a real Swiss cowbell by Uncle Ted.

3.  I was given some foreign currency by Mrs. Walker.

4.  Paul was done a favor by Dan Abrams.

5.  The guests were played a lively folk tune by the orchestra.

VERBAL: PARTICIPLES, GERUNDS, INFINITIVES

VERBAL A verbal is a verb form used like an adjective, a noun, or an adverb.

Like verbs, verbal can have complements and adverbial modifiers. They cannot, however, be predicate verbs.

NOT A SENTENCE The flag still is flying over Fort McHenry.[3]

A SENTENCE The flag was still flying over Fort McHenry.

A SENTENCE Francis Scott Key saw the flag still flying over Fort McHenry.

PARTICIPLE A participle is a form of the verb that is used only as an adjective

A participle is part adjective and part verb. Many participles end in ing, ed, or d. The participles of the verb carry are carrying, carried, having carried, being carried, having been carried.

To find out what word a participle modifies, ask the question «Who?» or «What?» about it.

Stately mansions built by whaling captain line the cobblestone streets of Nantucket. (What were built? Mansions. Built modifies mansions.)

Among the houses lining the elm-shaded street are three large ones known as the «Three Bricks» (Lining is a participle modifying houses; known is a participle modifying ones.)