Verb complement

Question

I have a slight difficulty understanding verb complements. Many websites are describing it as direct and indirect object yet many of them are talking about gerunds and infinitives as verb complements. Could you please give a brief and at the same time precise explanation of it?

I am really grateful for any help.

Example:

I asked her to leave.

I wanted to leave.

I considered leaving the job.

I regretted his leaving the job.

I insisted that he leave.( that clause acting as an object?)

I wondered why he left.(noun clause acting as an object?)

BillJ · Accepted Answer

[1] I asked her to leave.

[2] I wanted to leave.

[3] I considered leaving the job.

[4] I regretted his leaving the job.

[5] I insisted that he leave. (that clause acting as an object?)

[6] I wondered why he left. (noun clause acting as an object?)

Generally, complements have to be 'licensed' (specifically permitted) by the verb or other head. And obligatory items are always complements. Similarly, items whose omission would change the meaning of the verb are also complements.

Objects (direct and indirect) are complements - more specifically 'core' complements.

Non-finite clauses (infinitivals, gerund-participials and past participials) often function as complements of verbs.

In all your examples, the underlined clauses are complements licensed by the preceding verb. Additionally, their omission in [2]-[4] would leave the clause ungrammatical.

The clauses in [5] and [6] are not objects. [5] is a declarative content clause, and [6] a subordinate interrogative clause (embedded question).

Verb complement

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