IX. COMPLEMENTARY ELEMENTS.

§ 146. The complementary element of a proposition is that term which, in some cases, is added to the predicate verb, when intransitive, to fill out its otherwise imperfect meaning.

The complementary term has a very close relation to the subject, as will be seen in the following examples: Grass is green.

Horses are quadrupeds.

The girl looks sick.

Alexander was a conqueror.

This is the ripest apple of all.

Franklin has been called a philosopher.

Who are you?

§ 147. Because the complementary element seems to fill out or complete the predicate, the noun, adjective, or pronoun that constitutes it is often called the predicate-noun, predicate-adjective, etc.

Some grammarians call this element the attribute of the predicate verb. Each of these names, the complementary element, the attribute, the predicate noun, adjective, etc., has its significance, and to each there are some objections. In the present unsettled state of the grammatical nomenclature, we have no right to fix upon one to the exclusion of the others.

§ 148. Whether the complementary element be a substantive or an adjective, it may be either a simple, or a complex, or a compound term. If complex, it will have such modifiers as appropriately belong to it; that is, it will have adjective modifiers, if it is a substantive; otherwise, its modifiers will be adverbial. The following are examples of complementary elements, some of which are compound, others very complex:

Milton's poetry is always healthful, bright, and vigorous.

The seducers of the heart are honor, affluence, and pleasure.

It is time for thee to work.

This is the pursuit of knowledge under difficulties.

The chief object of education is not to store the mind with knowledge.

EXERCISES.

I. Point out the complementary elements in the following propositions:

Socrates was wise. The honest will be accounted worthy. The railroad is a convenience. Lions are not courageous. His old age was devoid of comfort. Large was his bounty. I am the chief of Ulva's isle. The roaring torrent is deep and wide. Are these the rewards of virtue? Be true to nature. You may be sure of it. This is the first and great commandment. The reasons given by the gentleman for his extraordinary conduct are these.

II. Supply complementary elements to the following imperfect propositions:

X. SUPPLEMENTARY OR OBJECTIVE ELEMENTS.

§ 149. If a predicate verb is modified by several adverbial terms or adjuncts, they all bear the same relation to the verb they modify. But that is not the case with supplementary or objective elements. If a verb has more than one object, they are of different kinds and receive different names.

This remark does not apply to compound objects, that is, compound terms used as objects, the components of which will, of course, all bear the same relation to the verb.

§ 150. The object of a transitive verb is that word that expresses the thing on which the action is exerted.

in the proposition,

"Thomas drank wine,"

Thus

wine is the word expressing that on which the action of drinking was exerted.

§ 151. Some verbs that really imply no action, take objects; that is, they are followed by substantives that manifestly sustain the same relation to them that is sustained by objects to truly active verbs. Thus:

"Charles owned a horse."

"I would have courage."

§ 152. Some transitive verbs are followed by two substantives, the one expressing that on which the action is exerted, the other the effect or result of that action on the first object. Thus in the proposition,

"Who made Thomson president,"

the two objects are Thomson and president; the former shows on whom the action was exerted, and the latter shows the result of that action. To distinguish these, the former is called the primary object, the latter the secondary or attributive object.

§ 153. Moreover, sometimes the person to or for whom any thing is done is expressed by a substantive following the verb. This may likewise be expressed by an adjunct following the object, with the preposition to or for as the connective. But it is just as frequently expressed by a substantive without a preposition, preceding the true object of the verb. Thus:

"He made me a knife."

To distinguish this kind of object from the true object of the verb, it is called the indirect or dative object, while the true object is called the direct object.

§ 153. We have thus three kinds of objects, any two of which may follow a transitive verb:

1. The primary, or direct object;

2. The secondary, or attributive object;

3. The indirect, or dative object.

But whenever it is not necessary to distinguish the first of these from either of the others, as when a verb has only one object, it is sufficient to call it the object.

155. There are a few verbs (viz., those signifying to ask, to teach, etc.) that are followed by two objects which it seems hard to designate, whether as direct and indirect objects, or as two direct objects. Thus in the proposition, "He taught me grammar,"

it is difficult to say whether this means he taught grammar to me, or whether me is an object on which the act of teaching was exerted.

EXAMPLES.

Single object, simple.

Who made man?

They would have elected Jefferson.

I have not read Rasselas.

Single object, compound.

Who created the heavens and the earth?
They would have elected Jefferson and Burr.

Primary and secondary objects.

Who made thee a ruler?

They would have elected Jefferson president.

Direct and indirect objects.

I will sing you a song.

Would you grant him such a request?

EXERCISES.

Compose sentences containing either of the four kinds of propositions (see 121-125), and containing the words enumerated below, in the relations as specified by the following numbers:

1. As grammatical subject.

2. As complementary element.

3. As direct or primary object.

4. As secondary object.

5. As indirect object.

6. As adjunct modifying the subject.

7. As adjunct modifying the predicate verb.
8. As adjunct modifying the complement.
9. As independent.

1. The conquering hero comes.

2. Jackson was the hero of New Orleans.

3. We will honor the true hero.

4. I call the self-governed man a hero.

5. Give the hero his just reward.

6. The praises of the hero fill every mouth.

7. He was compared to a hero.

8. This sword is a gift to the hero of Champlain.

9. Hero, thy name shall be our watchword.

XI. COMPLEX SENTENCES.

§ 156. A simple sentence is one that contains only one proposition.

§ 157. But a proposition may constitute one of the elements (either essential or accidental) of another proposition, the two thus constituting a complex sentence. In such cases, the proposition that is embraced in the other as part of it, is said to be subordinate to it.

§ 158. One proposition may be subordinate to another in two ways; either as incorporated in it, or dependent upon it. In the former case, no connective is used; in the latter, there is a connecting word, either expressed or understood, and the clause sustains to it the relation of a subsequent.

EXAMPLES.

Incorporated. Repeat the words, "How doth the little busy bee." Dependent. You may go, when you can say it.