What Is an Object Complement? (with Examples)

An object complement is a noun, a pronoun, or an adjective which follows a direct object to rename it or state what it has become.

Verbs of making (e.g., to make, to create) or naming (e.g., to name, to call, to elect) often attract an object complement. In the examples below, the object complements are shaded and the direct objects are in bold.

• To make her happy
• To name her Heidi

However, lots of verbs can take an object complement. For example:

• To consider someone stupid
• To paint something purple
• To catch somebody stealing

Examples of Object Complements

Here are some more examples of object complements:

• I found the guard sleeping.
• We all consider her unworthy.
• I declare this centre open.
• We consider fish spoiled once it smells like what it is.
• To obtain a man's opinion of you, make him mad. (Oliver Wendell Holmes, 1809-1894)

An object complement is not always one word. It could be a phrase. For example:

• I found the guard sleeping in the barn.
• We all consider her unworthy of the position.