Subject Complement vs. Object Complement

A subject complement is a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and identifies or describes the subject of a sentence. In fact, the main function of a subject complement is to describe or rename the subject. A subject complement can be a noun, pronoun or an adjective. However, it can also be a noun phrase.

Ellen is a surgeon.

In the above sentence, the linking verb is ‘is’ (verb ‘to be’). The noun ‘surgeon’ is the subject complement, and it identifies the subject ‘Ellen’.

An object complement is a word or phrase that follows the direct object of a sentence and adds more information about the object. To be more specific, object complements rename or modify direct objects. In a way, it explains what the direct object has become.

I named my dog Lassie.

Here, ‘dog’ is the direct object of the sentence. ‘Lassie’ is a noun that adds additional information about the direct object.

I painted his face green.

In the above sentence, ‘face’ is the direct object, and the adjective ‘green’ explains the state of the direct object.