Key Difference – Subject Complement vs Direct Object
Subject complements and direct objects are two grammatical elements in a sentence that follow the main verb. Some English learners may struggle to distinguish between subject complements and direct objects due to their similar positions. The primary difference between subject complements and direct objects is that subject complements follow linking verbs, while direct objects follow transitive verbs. It’s essential to note that subject complements and direct objects cannot occur in the same sentence.
Key Takeaways
- Subject complements follow linking verbs, while direct objects follow transitive verbs.
- Subject complements rename, identify or describe the subject, whereas direct objects receive the action of the verb or display the action’s result.
- Subject complements can act as nouns or adjectives, while direct objects only act as nouns.
What is a Subject Complement?
A subject complement is a noun, phrase, or clause that follows a linking verb or state verb. A linking verb (also known as state verbs) indicates a state; they do not indicate an action, unlike action verbs. The primary purpose of a subject complement is to rename or describe the subject. A subject complement can either be a noun or an adjective. An adjective acting as the subject complement is also known as the predicative adjective. Predicative adjectives describe the sentence’s subject. Nouns acting as subject complements are known as predicative nouns, and their primary purpose is renaming the subject.
What is a Direct Object?
A direct object is a word, phrase, or clause that follows a transitive verb and receives the verb’s action or shows the action’s result. Transitive verbs always denote an action. The direct object of a sentence can be found by asking the question ‘whom’ or ‘what.’
What is the difference between Subject Complement and Direct Object?
Preceding Verb:
- Subject Complement follows a linking verb.
- Direct Object follows an action.
Purpose:
- Subject Complement renames, identifies or describes the subject.
- Direct Object and receives the action of the verb or shows the result of the action.
Noun vs Adjective:
- Subject Complement can act as a noun or adjective.
- Direct Object acts as a noun.
