Grammar-Quizzes › Clauses › Clause Structure › Subject–Predicate–Complement

Subject–Predicate–Complement

Recognize how a word or phrase functions in a clause

Basic Functions and Content in a Clause

rise (V) – intransitive; does not take an object.

raise (V) – transitive; requires an object.

¹gerund clause – traditionally this was called gerund phrase or infinitive phrase because the structure was not a complete sentence.  However, in current description gerunds (and infinitives) are categorized as nonfinite clauses ("reduced clauses"). The term "phrase" is reserved for NP–noun phrase, VP–verb phrase, AdjP–adjective phrase, AdvP–adverb phrase, PP–Prepositional Phrase.  See  Phrase.

Lexical Categories —"Word Categories" ("Parts of Speech")

N – noun / pronoun; NP – noun phrase (the girls, the little girl, the girl who won)

V – verb; VP – verb phrase (enjoys very much, hardly ever rests)

Adj – adjective; AdjP – adjective phrase (really sharp, rather expensive)

Adv – adverb; AdvP – adverb phrase (very slowly, much too quickly)

P – preposition; PP – prepositional phrase

Det – determiners—articles | quantifiers | demonstratives | possessives

Subject

A word, phrase or clause and its modifiers

The subject is usually the "causer" or agent—the person, thing, entity, or natural force that causes the action to occur.

• but may also be the experiencer of a state or thing undergoing a change (See "be" or static verbs).
• but may also be the thing (person, concept, entity) that we choose to present in the subject position (See passive voice, or it, there).
• but may also be understood, not mentioned (See Commands.)

The subject may take form as:

• a noun—a head noun; Charlie (a proper noun), children (a common noun) he  it, there, who (pronouns) blue (a color), the wind, gravity.
• a pronoun—He, him, it there  (See Pronouns.)
• a noun phrase – a noun with a determiner (a, the, this, that, his, all, each, some, etc.) and possibly a complement (prepositional phrase) and modifiers —adjectives, adverbs, clauses.
• a wh-phrase — a "fused-head" (What he said was funny. Where they went remains a mystery.) See Wh-Phrases.
• a gerundial nonfinite clause — Raising his hand to speak was a new concept for Charlie. Being clever was easy for Charlie. Gerunds as Subjects
• an infinitival nonfinite clause —To sit quietly would be his biggest challenge. To be the youngest is never easy. Infinitives as Subjects | Nonfinite Clauses
• a finite clause — That he was clever was obvious. (a subordinated clause) See That–Clause.

A Noun Phrase 

In general, one-word modifiers (adjectives) are placed before the noun.

A Noun Phrase 

In general, modifying phrases and clauses are placed after the noun.

Head noun – the head noun is the main noun. It is distinguished from other nouns which may function as modifiers or as parts of other phrases.

Pre-head modifiers are placed before the noun.  Post-head modifiers are placed after the noun.

Adjective Order

A prepositional phrase may function as a determiner phrase in a noun phrase in the subject position. ([Just under] the rug is the place where we keep the key.)  (Huddleston 7 §5.3) (See Preposition Uses.)

(Huddleston "The subject" 4 §3, "Complements vs adjuncts"  §1.2, "Complements vs modifiers" 5 §14) (Swan "Sentence Structure" 509)

Predicate

A verb or verb group

The predicate is the action or change in state.

The predicate takes form as:

• a verb—plain form, past, and participle form, 3rd person plural suffix
• a copular verb— (be).  See "Be" Copula.
• a verb group—one or more auxiliaries and a verb.  See Verb Group. (have, be, can, will, may, should) Also see  Auxiliaries and Tense, Mood and Aspect.

Auxiliary Combinations with a Verb

Also see Verb  (primary—tense formed by inflection),  Verb Group (secondary—tense formed by auxiliary).

Auxiliary Determines Next Verb Form

Predicative Complements

An element required after be or a static verb

The subject, here, includes a noun phrase expressing the person, thing, concept (entity) that undergoes or experiences a change in state.

The predicate includes a static verb, which expresses a state of being or a change in state (be, seem, act, looks, appear, become, get). 

The predicate complement completes the meaning expressed by the subject and predicate (verb) with one of the following:

• an adjective that describes the quality or characteristic of the subject noun; "predicate adjective".
• a noun that specifies or identifies the subject noun "predicate nominative".
• a prepositional phrase that specifies a location, a time or a condition of the subject noun.

Be and Static Verb Complements

*A "be" verb may be followed by an adjective ("descriptive be") or a noun ("specifying be") Specifying vs. Ascriptive "be"

(Aarts 97) (Huddleston 4 §5.4)

Complements

Elements required by the subject, the predicate or a preposition to complete its meaning

Complements

Complements are words, phrases or clauses that complete the meaning of another element in the clause. In some cases, the complement is required in order to make sense. In other cases, the complement is not absolutely required but adds important modifying information. (The tall boy, the boy who is tall, the boy in the back)

The complement to the subject and the predicate is often a noun phrase (direct or indirect object) but may also be a prepositional phrase or clause. The complement fills in information about the person affected by the action, the person who is the recipient of the thing acted upon, the instrument of the action, the beneficiary of the action, the path, source, or goal of the action, and so on. See Transitive–Terminology.

Depending on the meaning expressed by the subject and predicate, one of the following may required to complete its meaning:

• a noun phrase—with transitive verbs  (direct object) He hit the ball. and ditransitive verbs (direct and indirect object)  He gave me the ball.
• a prepositional phrase—(only if the verb requires the phrase) He gave the ball to me.   He is in the corner. ("be" complement)  It consists of five words. Please refer to the blackboard. He raised his hand in the air. (This last phrase could be understood as complement or adjunct ["extra modifying info"].)
• an adjective—with a few verbs: Charlie wiped the table dry. He cracked the egg open. (complements predicate); But: Charlie wiped the clean table. (complements noun [D.O.] table)
• a clause—finite that-clause (subordinates) and nonfinites gerund and infinitive clauses  He said that he was tired.  He enjoys singing. He wants to sing.
• an adverb—in a few expressions:  The teacher treats him fairly. (comp) The only way to do it is slowly. (comp) She treats Charlie remarkably well.

Predicate (Verb) Complements

preposition of place, preposition of time, adjective as complement,  finite/nonfinite clause

Dynamic verb – a verb in which an action takes place (e.g., eat, walk, drive, breathe). This is different from a static verb (e.g., be, seems, appears, acts).

IO—indirect object  core complement  (The person or entity that is the receiver or endpoint of the action.) [Huddleston 4 §1.1]s

DO—direct object  core complement  (The person or entity that is affected by the action of the agent; the thing acted upon.)

to me — "non-core complement"     He gave me the ball. (core complement)   He gave the ball to me. (non-core complement)

¹Short prepositional phrases that express manner, degree, time, place or frequency can be considered as complements in much the same way as their adverb counterparts (hurriedly = in a hurry). If the prepositional phrase is essential to the clause being understood (i.e., adds identifying or important information), then it is a complement. If the clause can easily stand without it, then it is adjunct.

Other Complements

Also see A Phrase—adverb phrase, determiner phrase, adjective phrase, etc.—which include "dependents" ( complements).

(Aarts 90-105) (Huddleston & Pullum 213, complement v. adjunct 219)

Adjuncts

Elements not required by the subject and predicate

Adjuncts are words, phrases or clauses that add optional (nonidentifying, nonessential) information about manner, degree, frequency, timing, and location of the activity or action. Adjuncts are mostly modifiers.  (In this writer's opinion, grammarians vary on what they consider essential or nonessential.)

Adjunct Phrases and Clauses

Depending on the meaning expressed by the subject and verb, one of the following may be (optionally) added:

• an adverb — extra information, not essential to the clause being understood: He raised his hand quickly. (adjunct) 
• a prepositional phrase — extra information, not essential to the clause being understood: He raises his hand because he  knows the answer.  He raises his hand whether or not there is a question.  He raised his hand in the air. (This last phrase could be understood as complement or adjunct ["extra info"].)
• a comparative expression with as, than, of, from or to paired with an adjective/adverb phrase followed by a prepositional phrase. (He walks as fast as I walk. He walks faster than I walk. He walks the fastest of us all. He walks a different route from us / than we do. His route is similar to our route.) 
• a conditional expression with if or unless whose complement is a clause expressing the condition.  We read if we have time.
• an embedded wh-question clause  with who, whom, what, where, why, when, or how → She told me [who is coming]  (subject); She asked me [where/when/why Charlie naps.] ("object"). 

Clause Adjuncts

rose (V) – stood up

rather quickly (AdvP) – rather modifies quickly, and together they form an adverb phrase.

because, if, whether, when, etc. have been moved to the category of preposition in linguistic descriptions  (They are also known as conjunctions or adverbial prepositions)

*Short prepositional phrases that express manner, degree, time, place or frequency can be considered as complements in much the same way as their adverb counterparts (hurriedly = in a hurry). If the prepositional phrase is essential to the clause being understood (i.e., adds identifying or important information), then it is a complement. If the clause can easily stand without it, then it is Adjunct.

Adverbs include degree, manner, frequency, focus, time, place

¹to me— a prepositional phrase that complements the verb but is not called an indirect object though it may function as "recipient" or "beneficiary".

(Aarts 102) (Huddleson & Pullum 663, complement v. adjunct 219)

Supplements

Elements that are loosely related to the clause

Supplements are interpolations (words that interrupt the flow of thought) or appendages (words that are "loosely" attached at the beginning or end of the clause). In writing, they are often set off by commas, dashes, parentheses or colons.   In speech, they are set off by a change in intonation which marks them as distinct or separate from the rest of the clause.

One of the following may be added to the clause for extra information:

• a noun phrase — Charlie, a genius, is only six years old.  (appositives| aside comment)
• an adjective —  Charlie is clever, smart and inventive—a genius!  (summarizing)
• an adverb —  Charlie who is awkward (socially) wants to be the President when he grows up.  Frankly, Charlie needs to enjoy his childhood. (Adv for Speech Acts)
• a phrase —  Charlie—the life of the party—occasionally needs a nap in the afternoon. (aside comment)
• a nonfinite clause — Charlie, being so eager to please, raises his hand to answer the teacher's questions. (aside comment)

Clause Supplements

See Comma-Comments , Dashes and Parentheses

See Stance Adverbs: Adv for Evaluation, Adv for Opinion, Adv for Speech Acts, Connective Adverbs and Discourse Markers