A subjective complement modifies what ?

Question

Some told me that a complement modifies a verb to complete the structure of a verb phrase. And in that sense, [ happy] modifies [am] in I am happy to complete the verb phrase. Others informed me that a copula, in particular a form of the verb be, connects a subject and complement. In this respect, [ happy] modifies and not am in I am happy to describe the subject. It remains an unsettled question whether a subjective complement modifies the verb or the subject. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Edit: Changed bracketed items which the system was taking as instructions to display an icon. CJ

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

AnonymousIt remains an unsettled question whether a subjective complement modifies the verb or the subject.

Strictly speaking, it's not a matter of modification as I understand it. The word "modify" applies more to constructions like big car or walk slowly. Complements are not modifiers. They are more like place holders in a grammatical pattern, almost invariably to the right of the words they complement. Complements may contain modifiers, however:

Jenny wants to read this interesting book.

'this interesting book' is a complement of the verb 'read', but not a modifier of 'read'.
'interesting' is a modifier of 'book', but not a complement of 'book'.
________

In the case of a copula, the residue after the copula is generally called a subject complement if it's a noun phrase or an adjective phrase.

Sentences of this type are sometimes called equative sentences when they say that one thing (noun) "IS" another thing (noun). (A bachelor is an unmarried man; but not Your coat is on the bed.)

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

I am happy to get your lesson. Until I am taught by you, I would think that on the bed modifies is in Your coat is on the bed to complete the structure of a verb phrase, or else on the bed modifies your coat via “is” as the preposition phrase postmodifies the noun phrase (Your coat on the bed).

A subjective complement modifies what ?

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