Demo, Constituents in detail, Exercise 10

Task: Identify the complement in the main clause of the following sentences by clicking on ALL its elements. Then hit CHECK to see if you are right!
Complement

Complements are closely related to preceding constituents in the clause:

A subject complement usually follows a copula verb; it refers to the subject:

She is the new president.

\_______/

An object complement follows the direct object, which it refers to.

They have made her president.

\__/

Both types of complement are normally realised by noun phrases or adjective phrases.

NB: Although the complement and its referent are in mutual correspondence (and the copula verb may even suggest a relationship of equality) the two of them must not be inverted. This linear progression is so rigid as it is closely related to the governing principles of information structure in English.

  1. This village seems nice.

  2. Most people consider Rainer Maria Rilke's poems eternal masterpieces of true art.

  3. Interestingly enough, the country became a separate nation only two years after the referendum.

  4. The president declared the buffet open after he had welcomed his colleagues and their spouses.

  5. The university is a place where people are encouraged to think differently.

  6. The road is under construction.

  7. The MI6 managed to keep its plans quiet for a couple of months.