Complement (definition)

A word, phrase or clause that is a necessary part of a sentence because it is needed to complete the semantic meaning of the sentence. For example in the sentence, The bunny jumped over the log, the log, is a complement because without it the sentence would be incomplete.

See Also

• Head (definition)
• Adjunct (definition)

External Links

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complement_(linguistics)
• http://www.sil.org/linguistics/GlossaryOfLinguisticTerms/WhatIsAComplement.htm
• http://wapedia.mobi/en/Complement_(linguistics)

References

Carnie, Andrew (2006) Syntax: A Generative Introduction 2nd Edition. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.