It normally follows a verb phrase (often the verb to be, seem or appear) and can be an adjective, noun phrase, pronoun, or number; it can also follow the object of the sentence. What is it?

• A. Complement
• B. Mood
• C. Semi modal verb
• D. Verb function

Answer: (A)

A complement is a word or phrase that completes the meaning of the subject or the object in a sentence. It typically follows a linking verb such as be, seem, or appear, giving more information about the subject. For example, in The cake tastes delicious, delicious is an adjective complement describing the subject The cake. In She became a teacher, a teacher is a noun phrase complement that renames the subject. It can also be a pronoun (This is mine) or a number (There are two). It can even follow the object, as in They elected her president, where president functions as an object complement identifying or renaming the object. That’s why the best term for this concept is complement.