What is Complement?

Complement is a word or group of words which completes the meaning of a subject or object; for examples,
  • He is a student.
  • She is so intelligent.

TYPES OF COMPLEMENTS

There are two types of complements: subject complements and object complements.

[1] Subject complements

The subject complements complete the meaning of the subjects; they normally stand after linking verbs. For examples,
  • Vutha is a businessman.
  • The photograph looks nice.

[2] Object complements

The object complements complete the meaning of the objects; they normally stand after direct objects. For examples,
  • He appointed her secretary.
  • We find the food disgusting.

WHAT CAN BE A COMPLEMENT?

An complement can be noun, pronoun, noun phrase, noun clause, adjective, adjective phrase, gerund, gerund phrase, infinitive, or infinitive phrase.
 
[1] A noun or noun phrase
  • That is an interesting book.
  • The readers find the book interesting.

[2] A pronoun
  • The book is mine.
  • Please consider the house yours.

[3] A noun clause
  • Her dream is that she becomes a model.
  • You can call him what you like.

[4] An adjective or adjective phrase
  • He is so young.
  • The judge find the man guilty. 

[5] A participle or participle phrase
  • The man looks scaring.
  • The man made himself scaring.

[6] A gerund or gerund phrase
  • My hobby is reading.
  • His wish is becoming a doctor.

[7] An infinitive or infinitive phrase 
  • To see is to believe.
  • His plan is to finish MBA in 3 years.