The complement or the word that denotes the receiver of the action expressed in a transitive verb is called the object.

The word or words that complete the meaning of a copulative verb are called the complement, or attribute complement.

The same verb may be complete or incomplete, according to the way in which it is used.

Exercise 5

In the following sentences draw a single line under the complete verbs and a double line under the incomplete verbs. Then determine whether the incomplete verbs are transitive or copulative verbs, and draw a line through the object or the complement.

  1. Some plants are poisonous.
  2. A rolling stone gathers no moss.
  3. Perseverance brings success.
  4. Delays are dangerous.
  5. A man's actions show his character.
  6. He looks well and feels stronger.
  7. The snows come and the flowers fade.
  8. Labor creates all wealth.
  9. Labor must be free.
  10. The boy writes well.
  11. The man wrote a letter.
  12. The skies are clear.
  13. The hail destroyed the wheat.
  14. No man is ever too old to learn.
  15. Competition makes enemies.
  16. Co-operation makes friends.
  17. Competition breeds hatred.
  18. Co-operation breeds good will.
  19. Competition ensures war.
  20. Co-operation ensures peace.

Exercise 6

In the following quotation all of the verbs are printed in italics. Determine whether they are complete or incomplete verbs. If incomplete, determine whether they are transitive or copulative verbs. Draw a line under the object of every transitive verb and two lines under the complement of every copulative verb. Remember that sometimes we have several words combined into a verb phrase and used as a single verb. Watch for the verb phrases in the following, as for example: must be, in the sentence, Labor must be free.

The history of man is simply the history of slavery. Slavery includes all other crimes. It degrades labor and corrupts leisure. With the idea that labor is the basis of progress goes the truth that labor must be free. The laborer must be a free man.

There is something wrong in a government where honesty wears a rag and rascality dons a robe; where the loving eat a crust while the infamous sit at banquets.

Talk about equal opportunity! Capitalism ties a balloon to the shoulders of the rich child; it ties a ball and chain to the feet of the poor child; and tells them that they have an equal opportunity!

Once the master hunted for the slaves, now the slave hunts for a master.

Exercise 7