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Grammar – WJECSubject, object and complement

Grammar refers to the structure of language and how different words fit together. Knowing something about English grammar rules should help you to construct clear and meaningful sentences.

Part of English LanguageSpelling, punctuation and grammar

Subject, object and complement

Many verbs need an object to make sense, eg ‘Ajay plays the piano’. Like the subject, the object is usually a noun or a noun phrase, eg ‘the big, black grand piano’. Verbs that take objects describe some kind of action rather than a state of being.

For example:

Ajay plays the big, black grand piano.

Teagan watches television.

Some verbs do not need an object to make sense. These either:

  • Work alone, as in, ‘Connor screamed.’
  • Describes a ‘state’ as in, ‘Maire is tall.’ or ‘Mandip felt ill.’

If no action is transferring from the subject to the object, the word is called a complement.