Subject + Verb + Complement (S-V-SC)

A complement is a word or group of words that describe or rename the

subject. Complements follow a linking verb. There are two kinds of subject
complements: 1) predicate nominative, which is a noun or pronoun that
renames or classifies the subject of the sentence and 2) predicate
adjective, which is an adjective that describes the subject of the sentence.

Mother looks tired. (subject, verb, complement--predicate adjective)

Some students in the class are engineers. (the noun phrase Some students
in the class is the complete subject, verb, complement--predicate nominative)

The men are handsome, the women are clever, and the children are above-
average. (compound sentence of three independent clauses, so
three subjects, three verbs, three complements--all predicate adjectives

Sentence Part Patterns

Sentence parts (subject, verbs, objects, etc.) come arranged in different ways. Here are four sentence
patterns that journalists rely on.

1. S/V The simplest sentence pattern is subject + verb.

o News spreads.

o The accident victim sobbed.

(In this case, the verb is intransitive: it does not take an object).

2. S/V/SC If the sentence has a linking verb (the verb be in some form, such
as is, were, am, had been or one of the following verbs
appear, become, feel, grow, look,make, seem, smell, and sound) and a subject
complement (a word or words that give more information about the subject), the
pattern is subject + verb + subject complement.

o The driver appeared intoxicated.

o They are professionals.

3. S/V/O If the sentence has a transitive verb (carries action from a subject to an object)
and a direct object (receives the action of the verb), the sentence pattern
is subject+ verb + direct object.

o Professor Figuera threw the textbook.

o Domestic violence often can lead to murder.

 Note: S/V/O is a major tool for the
journalist. This pattern produces clear, direct
writing.

4.

5. S / V / IO / DO If the sentence has a verb followed by an indirect object (names the

receiver of the direct object) and a direct object (receives the action of the verb, the
pattern is subject + verb + indirect object + direct object.

o The editor-in-chief gave the assignment to the newest reporter.

o Local newspapers inform the public about their communities.