Finding Objects and Complements
Finding Objects and Complements
Objects
Transitive verbs carry action from the subject to the object of a sentence. Transitive
verbs require direct objects. The direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the
action. You can find the direct object of the sentence by turning the subject and verb
into a question ending in what or whom.
Transitive verbs may also take indirect objects. The indirect object is always a noun
or pronoun that shows to whom or for whom the action occurred. Find the direct object
and then ask to whom or for whom.
Object Exercises
Find the direct object in each of the following sentences.
Find the direct object and indirect object in each of the following sentences.
Ø Linking verbs include the forms of be (am, is, are, was, were, being, been), the
verbs referring to the senses (look, feel, smell, sound, taste), and some others
such as appear, become, remain, and seem.
Ø Who and whoever are in the subjective case and are used for subjects and
subject complements. Whom and whomever are objective case pronouns
and are used for objects.
An object complement comes directly after the direct object. (No words come
between the direct object and the object complement.) The object complement
renames or describes the direct object.
Complement Exercises
Find the subject complement in each of the following sentences.
1. Penny is the student representative for the Drama Club, but she is absent today.
2. Lance feels certain that someone else should attend the meeting.
3. The members of the club will be happy to vote for a substitute representative.
4. Chloe is the best choice for a substitute.