A subject complementgives us more information about the subject. It usually comes after linking verbs and sense verbs (includingbe, seem, smell, taste), and after change of state verbs (includinggo, get, become).
Subject complements: parts of speech
Subject complements can be adjective phrases, noun phrases, adverb phrases or prepositional phrases:
That rice tastesquite sweet.(subject + adjective phrase)
It seemsa long timesince this morning.(subject + noun phrase)
A:Where are you?
B:I’mupstairs. (subject + adverb phrase)
It still smellsof paintin here.(subject + prepositional phrase)
Subject complements are not the same as objects.
He marrieda famous writer. | a famous writeris a different person = the object |
He becamea famous writer. | becomeis a linking verb;a famous writerdescribes the subject = the same person ashe |
Complements and adjunctsare different. A complement is necessary in order to complete the meaning. An adjunct is not necessary, and adds extra information.
See also:
Complements
Complements and adjuncts
Pronouns as subject complements
When we use a pronoun as a subject complement afterbe, we usually use an object pronoun (e.g.me, him, us):
The dog barked before we even came to the door. He knew it wasus.
Not:He knew it was we.
You know the girl I was telling you about? Well, that’sherover there.
Not:Well, that’s she over there.
In some formal contexts we use the subject pronoun (e.g.I, he, they, we):
I can’t exactly remember whether it washewho asked me to go with them.(less formal:… whether it washimwho …)
See also:
Complements
Linking verbs
Objects