You’ve learned that a noun, aside from being the subject in a sentence, may be a direct object following an action verb and answers the question whom or what. The direct object is always a noun or a pronoun.

Example

	DO
Awiyao gave	wooden beads.

Sometimes, an indirect object comes between the action verb and the direct object and answers the question to whom or for whom. It is always a noun or pronoun and never appears by itself without a direct object.

Example

	IO	DO
Awiyao gave	Lumnay	wooden beads.

The noun that is the direct object of the sentence may also be modified by an object complement. An object complement is a noun, a pronoun, or an adjective which follows a direct object to describe, rename, or state what it has become.

To find the object complement, look for the verb and direct object and then ask what or how.

Verbs of making (e.g., to make, to create) or naming (e.g., to name, to call, to elect) often attract an object complement.

Example

	DO	Obj Comp
Awiyao wanted to make	Lumnay	happy.

However, verbs such as consider, paint, and catch can take an object complement. Point out what the direct object is in each sentence and identify what object complement modifies it. Is the object complement an adjective or a verb?

Examples

• We consider Lumnay pitiful.

• The villagers painted the plant boxes red.

• Awiyao caught Lumnay crying.

• The villagers found the woman sleeping.

• We all consider her honest.

• The elder declared the couple married.

An object complement is not always one word. It could be a phrase.

Example

	DO	OC
The villagers found the	guard	sleeping in the barn.