Direct Objects
* What? or Whom? Answer the question "What?" or "Whom?" after a transitive verb.
* Receiver of the action. They receive the action of the verb.
* Always nouns or pronouns.
* Usually follow the verb.
Example:
* The dog chased *the ball*.
* Verb: chased (transitive)
* Direct Object: *the ball* (What did the dog chase?)
Subject Complements
* Re-names or describes the subject. They tell us more about the subject of the sentence.
* Follow a linking verb. (e.g., be, seem, become, appear, feel, etc.)
* Can be nouns, pronouns, adjectives, or phrases.
Examples:
* She is *a doctor*.
* Linking verb: is
* Subject Complement: *a doctor* (renames the subject "She")
* The sky looks *cloudy*.
* Linking verb: looks
* Subject Complement: *cloudy* (describes the subject "sky")
Key Differences:
1. Verb Type: Direct objects follow transitive verbs (verbs that take an object), while subject complements follow linking verbs.
2. Function: Direct objects receive the action of the verb, while subject complements re-name or describe the subject.
3. Relationship to Subject: Direct objects are separate from the subject, while subject complements are linked to the subject.
Here's a helpful way to remember:
* Direct Object: What the subject does something to.
* Subject Complement: What the subject is or becomes.
Let me know if you'd like to see more examples!