Verbs, objects and subject complements
- 1. Verbs, Objects and Subject Complements Learning to Swim Unit 3, Lesson 2
- 2. Direct Objects • A direct object follows an action verb and answers the question “Whom?” or “What?” It is always a noun or a pronoun. Not all action verbs require direct objects. • Joe likes apples and corn. The direct objects “apples” and “corn” answer “Joe likes what?” • The boy in the red coat bought a new kite. “Kite” answers “ • The boy bought what?” • Henry waited on the corner. There is no direct object following the action verb “waited.”
- 3. Indirect Object • An indirect object comes between the action verb and the direct object and answers the question “To whom?” or “For whom?” It is always a noun or pronoun and never appears by itself without a direct object. • The boy in the red coat bought his brother a new kite. • The indirect object “brother” answers “The boy bought a new kite for whom?” “Brother” comes between the action verb “bought” and the direct object “kite.”
- 4. Subject Complements • A subject complement follows a linking verb (is, are, was, were, am, be, seems, feels, etc.) and renames or describes the subject of the sentence. Subject complements may be nouns, pronouns, or adjectives. • Joe is a vegetarian. The subject complement “vegetarian” follows the linking verb “is” and renames the subject “Joe.” • The boy’s new kite was blue. The subject complement “blue” follows the linking verb “was” and describes the subject “kite.”