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Home > Language > What is the Difference Between Object and Complement?

Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Object and Complement?

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The main difference between an object and a complement lies in their roles within a sentence and the types of verbs they follow. Here are the key differences:

  1. Position: An object follows the verb, while a complement follows a linking verb or a direct object.
  2. Role: An object receives the action of the verb, whereas a complement describes or renames the subject or the object.
  3. Type of Verb: An object follows an action verb, while a complement follows a linking verb.
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  • What is the Difference Between Object and Complement?
  • Examples
  • Comparative Table: Object vs Complement

    • Examples

    In the following sentences, the object and complement are highlighted:

    • She made me happy. (Object: "me," Complement: "happy")
    • She is a doctor. (Complement: "doctor")

    In summary, an object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb, while a complement is a noun, pronoun, or adjective that describes or renames the subject or the object following a linking verb or a direct object.

    Comparative Table: Object vs Complement

    Here is a table highlighting the differences between objects and complements:

    Criteria Object Complement
    Position Follows the verb Follows a linking or a direct object
    Role Receives the action of the verb Describes or renames the subject/object
    Type of Verb Follows an action verb Follows a linking verb or precedes a direct object

    Objects receive the action of the verb, while complements describe or rename the subject or the object. For example, in the sentence "She made me happy," "me" is the object, and "happy" is the complement.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.