COMPLEMENTS MODIFIED
494. Complements, being either substantives or adjectives, may be modified in various ways, most of which have been noted in [Chapter III].
1. A substantive used as a complement may have the same kinds of modifiers that are used with the subject ([§ 466]).
2. An adjective complement admits only adverbial modifiers.
495. The following sentences illustrate the modifiers of substantive complements:—
- Herbert lost a gold watch. [The direct object (watch) is modified by the adjectives a and gold.]
- The duke built towers of marble. [The direct object (towers) is modified by the adjective phrase of marble.]
- My father built the house in which I was born. [The direct object (house) is modified by the adjective the and the adjective clause in which I was born.]
- I saw a man running across the field. [The direct object (man) is modified by the adjective a and the participle running.]
- You have forfeited your right to vote. [The direct object (right) is modified by the possessive pronoun your and the infinitive to vote.]
- I have seen Henry’s brother. [The direct object (brother) is modified by the possessive noun Henry’s.]
- I must ask my brother, the mayor. [The direct object (brother) is modified by the possessive pronoun my and the appositive mayor.]
- The guild has elected Walter honorary president. [The predicate objective (president) is modified by the adjective honorary.]
- Her husband is an old soldier. [The predicate nominative (soldier) is modified by the adjectives an and old.]
- Her sons are veterans of the Franco-Prussian war. [The predicate nominative (veterans) is modified by the adjective phrase of the Franco-Prussian war.]
- They are rivals in business. [The predicate nominative (rivals) is modified by the adjective phrase in business.]
- The author is Will Jewell, who was formerly editor of “The Pioneer.” [The predicate nominative (Will Jewell) is modified by the adjective clause who was formerly editor, etc.]
- Baldwin is the man standing under the tree. [The predicate nominative (man) is modified by the adjective the and the participle standing.]
- Your chief fault is your inclination to procrastinate. [The predicate nominative (inclination) is modified by the possessive pronoun your and the infinitive to procrastinate.]
- This man is Gretchen’s brother. [The predicate nominative (brother) is modified by the possessive noun Gretchen’s.]
- The first to fall was the bugler, John Wilson. [The predicate nominative (bugler) is modified by the adjective the and the appositive John Wilson.]
496. Adjective clauses are very common as modifiers of substantive complements (cf. [§ 468]).
- Have you lost the watch that your cousin gave you?
- This is the very spot where the temple of Saturn stood.
- The general issued an order that all non-combatants should be treated well.
- We have abundant proof that during his stay on the Continent, Bacon did not neglect literary and scientific pursuits.
497. An adjective used as a complement may be modified by an adverb, an adverbial phrase, or an adverbial clause.
- I am very sorry for you. [Sorry is modified by the adverb very and the adverbial phrase for you.]
- Charles seems {rather | very | extremely} angry.
- The road is rough {in places. | where they are repairing it.}
- The whole tribe appeared eager for war.
- He grew envious of his successful rival.
- Be zealous in every righteous cause.
- The chief’s face looked dark with passion.
- He was selfish beyond belief. [The predicate adjective (selfish) is modified by the adverbial phrase beyond belief.]
- Ellen seemed desirous that her friends should admire her.
- The secretary appeared unwilling to resign. [See [§ 321], note.]