object complement

American  

noun

Grammar.

1. a word or a group of words used in the predicate following a factitive verb and referring to its direct object, as treasurer in We appointed him treasurer, white in They painted the house white, or an interesting speaker in They thought him an interesting speaker.

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Etymology

Origin of object complement

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Find the object complement of ascertains in 6.

From Higher Lessons in English A work on English grammar and composition by Kellogg, Brainerd

The attribute complement, whether noun or adjective, follows the verb, the objective complement follows the object complement, and the indirect object precedes the direct.

From Higher Lessons in English A work on English grammar and composition by Kellogg, Brainerd

Him represents the one to whom the command is given, and to lower the bridge is the object complement.

From Higher Lessons in English A work on English grammar and composition by Kellogg, Brainerd

If we say Cornwallis was captured by Washington, the verb is still transitive; but the object, Cornwallis, which names the receiver, is here the subject of the sentence, and not, as before, the object complement.

From Higher Lessons in English A work on English grammar and composition by Kellogg, Brainerd

You see that the object, the word that names the receiver of the act, may be the subject, or it may be the object complement.

From Higher Lessons in English A work on English grammar and composition by Kellogg, Brainerd