The kind of objective complement

Question

I see no lasting success ahead while we continue our current policy.I think the adverb "ahead" modifies the object "no lasting success."So I was wondering if "ahead" is the objective complement.Thank you in advance for your help.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

park sang joonI think the adverb "ahead" modifies the object "no lasting success." So I was wondering if "ahead" is the objective complement.

That's one interpretation. You can also say that "ahead" is an adverb that modifies "see". To see ahead. When I look ahead, I see no lasting success.

CJ

Persian Learner · Answer

CalifJimThat's one interpretation.

Hi dear grammarian.

I can't work this interpretation out.

Can adverbs function as noun modifiers and fit the position of object complements? I've not seen such structure before. Would you please give me more explanation?

If my mind serves me well, you told me that "complements don't modify". Now, how do you regard it as a valid interpretation while ahead acts as both a modifier and a complement?

CalifJim · Answer

Persian LearnerI can't work this interpretation out.

I found it difficult to work out as well. That's why I suggested a better interpretation. At least I thought it was better.

Persian LearnerCan adverbs function as noun modifiers and fit the position of object complements? I've not seen such structure before.

I haven't seen it either. Until now. But it is possible to parse the sentence as follows:

I see [(that) no lasting success (is) ahead].
OR I see [(that there is) no lasting success ahead].

I don't like that parsing as much as the alternative, but I recognize that someone might find it possible.

Persian LearnerIf my mind serves me well, you told me that "complements don't modify"

Exactly. Now that you mention it, I regret that I did not say so again in my first reply. This is why I find it difficult to work out the analysis here. We have to decide whether 'ahead' is a complement [No lasting success is ahead.] Or whether it's a noun modifier [... lasting success ahead]. If we take the path of this interpretation, my preference is for 'complement', not for 'noun modifier'. Still, the problem remains that "see" is not a verb that typically takes both a direct object and an object complement.

(But if you use my suggestion, it's a verb modifier [see ... ahead].)

CJ

Persian Learner · Answer

Thanks. I feel much better now.<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/77.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/77.gif' alt='Emotion: happy'/>

The kind of objective complement

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