a) Subject Complement says something about the subject of the sentence, for example what the subject is or what it is like:
Example:
- I am a handsome man.
- She was so tired after working all day in the garden.
- Three years later he became a good teacher.
- Her daughter seems very happy in her new job.
- They felt really stupid when they saw what they had done.
NOTE:
Ø A word or a group of words can be a subject complement even if there is not expressed subject in the sentence (the case with imperative sentences).
Example:
- Don’t be so silly!
- Please stay calm.
Ø In exclamatory sentences, the subject complement often precedes the subject and verb rather than following them.
Example:
- What a lovely day it is!
- How stupid you are!
b) Object Complement says something about the direct object of a sentence:
Example:
- They made him chairman.
- Someday I will prove you wrong.
- We always thought her very reliable.
- They’ve painted the walls green.
- They always call me William.
NOTE: It is important to distinguish between sentences containing a direct object and an indirect object and sentences with a direct object and an object complement.
Ø A direct object and an object complement refer to the same person or thing:
Example:
- They elected Mr. Vannak chairman.
- The government appointed Mr. Hong Udom the provincial governor.
Ø A direct object and an indirect object refer to two different people or things:
Example:
- She lent me her new pen.
- Did you show her the photos?
