STRUCTURES OF COMPLEMENTATION

Structures of Complementation

A structure of complementation has two immediate constituents:

1. Verbal element
2. Complement

Verb C Complement

Verbal Element

• Simple verb : He gives lessons

• Verb-Phrase : We are learning syntax
• Infinitive : (a boy) to run errands
• Structure of modification : (I) never in my life said that
• Structure of coordination : We caught and ate the fish

He P gives C lessons

Three Main Groups of Verbal Element

1. Linking verbs : structural link between subject and complement

2. Intransitive verbs : complete predicate without complement
3. Transitive verbs : always have complement

Linking Verbs:

• Structural link between subject and complement

• Have complement but no passive

E.g. The man was/became/seemed/remained/looked/sounded hungry

He P was C hungry
Intransitive Verbs:

• Complete predicate without any complement

• Have neither complement nor passive

E.g. the rain stopped soon

The rain P stopped ← soon

Transitive verbs (new slide)

• Always have complement

• Have both complement and passive

Ex : the man sold his car

The car was sold (by him)

The man P sold CP His car

Complements (new slide)

• Subjective complement
• Direct object
• Objective complement
• Indirect object

1. Subjective Complement (new slide)

Compliment appearing with linking verbs
• Noun : the woman is a teacher
• Function word : ripeness is all
• Adjective : the apple is ripe
• Adverb : the time is now
• Verb : his wish is to die
• Prepositional phrase : the train was on time
SC
• P
The woman is CP A teacher
 Other example for subjective complement : (new slide)

a) Structure of modification : he is a promising young member of the university

b) Structure of coordination : the day was dark, gloomy, and cold
c) Structure of complementation : his hobby is collecting stamps
d) Structure of predication : the winner is whoever crosses the line first

2. Direct Object (new slide)

Complement appearing with transitive verb, a single object.
• Noun : I found a friend
• Pronoun : I saw him
• Function noun : we sent some
• Verb : they want to go / she likes walking

DO
I • P found
d
CP A friend

Other example for direct object : (new slide)

a) Structure of modification : we saw an excellent new play about java

b) Structure of coordination : the university needs a new platform and a new leader
c) Structure of complementation : they like studying syntax
d) Structure of predication : I wonder where he is

3. Indirect Object
When the complement of a structure of complementation whose verbal element is transitive
consists of two objects, one of them is always a direct object. The other is either an indirect
object or an objective complement.
Example:
He (P) gave (c) his friend two books
In contrast to direct objects, indirect objects are always nouns, noun headed structures of
modification, or structures of coordination with noun constituents.
Noun : he told the policeman hid name
Function noun : we gave each a present
Pronoun : the agent sold them a house
Structure of modification : she made the hungry tramp a sandwich
 I paid the man in the booth a quarter
Structure coordination : he gave his father and mother a present

Objective complement
Consisting of two objects do not fit the indirect + direct object pattern. Consider such an
utterance as this:
We (p) elected (c) his brother president

Objective complements may be nouns (but seldom pronouns or function nouns), adjective,
adverbs, verbs (in past-participle form), prepotional phrases, or structures of modification or
coordination:
Noun : we made him a member
Adjective : he painted his house green
Adverb : we found him alone
Past participle : they considered the job finished
Prepositional phrase : he left her in tears
Structure of modification : we made him a member of our club
We found it
a trying and difficult task for beginners
Structure of coordination : he painted his house red, white, and blue
We consider his conduct
a scandal and a disgrace

Objects with passive verbs, a verbal element in the passive voice can have a compliment, but it
always consists of a single object. This may be any 3 kinds direct object, indirect object, or
objective complement:
a. He was given a book
b. A book was given him
c. He was elected president
When the verbs of these structures are changed to the active voice:
a. Gave him a book
b. Gave him a book
c. Elected him president
From the point above: that a book in (a) is a direct object, him in (b) as indirect object, and
president in (c) an objective complement.