The tag has no wiki summary.

learn more… | top users | synonyms

-3
votes
1answer
34 views

What is the difference complementing with prepositional phrase and with to-infinitive? [closed]

To-infinitive complements must be distinguished from PP complement with the preposition to. The following quotation illustrates the difference. The global threat to our security was clear. ...
1
vote
1answer
102 views

Can object complements make any difference to sentences?

I'm reading a grammar book, and I have some questions. A. We ate the fish raw. I want Sue drunk. I prefer the music soft. I like coffee black. We drank the beer cold. This type of ...
0
votes
1answer
55 views

notion of complement

Liam is very ill. (English Syntax and Argumentation, Bas Aarts) Traditional Grammar says ‘very ill’ as a subject complement. And the book says ‘very ill’ as a complement for verb be. Do I have ...
2
votes
3answers
321 views

Object complement adjective, or direct object, or?

Jill painted the kitchen rosey red. In this sentence, would red be considered an object complement adjective? If so, what do I do with rosey, since I cannot have an adjective modifying another ...
1
vote
1answer
141 views

Is the prepositional phrase possibly called a subject complement?

Russet leaves were swept by past winds in heaps. (Original sentence: "Russet leaves, swept by past winds in heaps."— Jane Eyre) ‘In heaps’ can be called as a ‘positional’ complement for ...
2
votes
2answers
240 views

Can adjectives make adjuncts modifying verbs?

Her teeth gleamed white against the tanned skin of her face. It seems ‘white’ is an adjunct modifying gleamed, while it’s not a complement for it’s not necessary to complete the meaning. But I’m ...
0
votes
1answer
65 views

complement vs adjunct [closed]

“Funny, isn’t it,” she said, “how the law can have a soft spot like that? No, someone had seen her in the village at the time Robin went missing, so she wasn’t really a suspect. It was decided ...
0
votes
1answer
120 views

Is 'that-clause' an adverbial clause or a complement clause?

"I’m glad that we’ve won the match." An English-Korean dictionary says that-clause above is an adverbial clause. However, from the definition for complement by Oxford - “one or more words, ...
1
vote
1answer
179 views

“Heard me [infinitive]” vs. “heard me [gerund]”

"Heard me [infinitive]" vs. "heard me [gerund]" At that time, you wouldn't have heard me talk about it. At that time, you wouldn't have heard me talking about it. At that time, ...
2
votes
1answer
154 views

Correct usage of infinitives

I am not sure about the usage of infinitives in this sentence: Finally, one of the accused confessed to have forged the director's signature on the report. Could anyone explain correct usage? ...
2
votes
1answer
357 views

Usage of infinitives in this sentence

In my academics I learned that we use infinitives (to + verb 1st form). So I was surprised when someone told me this sentence is incorrect. I am not able to figure it out why this sentence is ...
5
votes
5answers
392 views

Is this an objective complement or adjective phrase?

In ‘catch me off guard’, is the ‘off guard’ an objective complement or adjective phrase that modifies ‘me’? My Great Uncle Algie kept trying to catch me off guard and force some magic out of me ...
4
votes
4answers
114 views

Complement of digress?

Is there a verb that means "to return from a digression"? The best I can think of is a phrase like "Getting back on topic, . . ."
0
votes
2answers
690 views

Grammatical complements for “allow”

Are any of these verb phrases grammatical? allows the user of modeling and resolving allows the user to model and resolve Which version of the following sentence is correct/better? "In ...
5
votes
3answers
90 views

Is there any difference between ‘it’ and ‘so’ as a complement of ‘she looks’?

D’you – d’you want to go to the ball with me?” said Harry. Why did he have to go red now? Why? ”Oh!” said Cho, and she went red too. “Oh Harry, I’m really sorry,” and she truly looked it. ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views

What is an adjectival complement in English?

How can one determine what an adjectival complement is in an English sentence? Are there are any subcategories to this classification? I'd love concrete examples, to help me better understand this ...
3
votes
2answers
752 views

Complement or object?

I saw him cross the road. Is cross the road the object of saw? Or is it the complement of him?
9
votes
1answer
999 views

How do I determine subject and subject complement in “A side-effect is the spread of commercialese to other domains.”?

Consider this example: Commercialese is an instrument of art, designed to enrich and invigorate our language—surely you will all agree with this—, and we should encourage newcomers to learn ...