kiss L1.2v2/11.5.

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How to Identify Types of Complements

It is important to follow this process exactly. Ask these questions in the correct order, from top to bottom.

Stop! This you are

Does anything answer the question
Nothing answers the question. finished. There is
“Whom?” or “What?” after the verb?
no complement..

Yes, there is an answer.

Stop! This
Is the word that answers the question
complement is a
“Whom?” or “What” after the verb an Yes, the answer is an adjective.
Predicate
adjective?
Adjective (PA)

No. An adjective does not answer this question.

Is the word that answers the question

“Whom?” or “What” after the verb a noun or
a pronoun?

Yes, the answer is a noun or a pronoun.

Stop! This
Does this noun or pronoun rename the complement is a
Yes. It does rename the subject.
subject of the verb? Predicate Noun
(PN)

No, the noun or pronoun does not rename the subject.

Stop! This
Does the verb imply equality between the complement is
Yes. The verb does imply equality.
subject and the complement? also a Predicate
Noun (PN)

No. The verb does not imply equality.

Does the word that answers the question tell Stop! This
you for whom or to whom something was Yes. It tells us for whom or what it was done. complement is an
done? Indirect Object (IO)

No. It does not tell us for whom or what something was done.

Stop! This
complement is a
Direct Object (DO)

Mark Johnstone: based on Vavra, E. (2010). A KISS Grammar

Master Workbook.