Meaning of Nominal Complement (What it is, Concept and Definition)

Noun complement is the term that relates to nouns, adjectives and adverbs, forming a meaning with these names. The noun complement fulfills the function of completing or changing the meaning of a name and is always introduced by a preposition.

Let's look at this example of a nominal complement:

I'm afraid from horror movie.

Note how “horror movie” completes the meaning of the noun “fear”. Thus, “horror film” is a nominal complement, introduced by the preposition “of”.

But the noun “fear” could be accompanied by other complements. It could be "fear" of planes, heights, spiders... This demonstrates how the meaning of the name “fear” can change according to its complement.

Nominal complement examples

Noun noun complement

In these cases, the complements are related to the nouns “conscience”, “reading” and “saudade”.

1. you have no conscience you are welcome.
2. you did the reading from the manual?
3. Does she miss you of me?

Nominal complement of the adjective

In these examples, the complements relate to the adjectives “faithful”, “conscious” and “tolerant”.

1. my dog ​​is completely faithful to me.
2. are you aware of the current reality?
3. she is tolerant with diversity.

Adverb nominal complement

In this case, the complements are subordinated to the adverbs “far”, “near” and “against”.

1. Stay away her!
2. don't come close of my things!
3. The ruler acts contrary to our interests.

Nominal substantive supplemental subordinate clause

There are cases where the element that complements the name is a sentence and not an expression (such as “with diversity” or “in our interests”). This type of clause - which is called a subordinate clause substantive noun noun complement - fulfills the role of nominal complement of a term in the main clause.

Examples:

1. The ruler acted independently from what his supporters said. (The prayer in bold complements the adverb "independently").
2. the lawyer is convinced that your customer is innocent. (The prayer in bold complements the adjective "convinced").
3. she is sure that he's not the right person.(The sentence in bold complements the noun "certainty").

Nominal complement and verbal complement

Nominal and verbal complements are very similar. The difference is the term the complement relates to. In the case of the nominal, the complement is related to a name. In the verbal, it relates to a verb.

It is very common for the complemented term to be a verb, not a noun. Thus, when we say “He liked her”, the pronoun “her” is a verbal complement, as it is an extension of the verb “liked”.

Verbal complements are classified into direct objects (when the verb does not require a preposition) and indirect objects (when there is a need for a preposition).

Direct object example:

I have read the entire text. (The passage in bold is a complement to the verb "li").

Indirect object example:

she needs of a good speech therapist. (The passage in bold is a complement to the verb "need". In this case, the verb requires a preposition: it is an indirect transitive. To complete the sense of the verb, there is the indirect object).

Differences between the nominal complement and the adjunct adjunct

Both terms are very similar and therefore can be confused. O nominal complement integrates or alters the meaning of a name. already the adnominal deputy it is a term of the sentence that fulfills the function of characterizing a noun, fulfilling the adjectival function.

Grammarians Pasquale Cipro Neto and Ulisses Infante establish two differences between the nominal complement and the adjunct adjunct:

1. The noun complement can accompany nouns, adjectives and adverbs. The adjunct adjunct only accompanies nouns.
2. The nominal complement indicates the patient (the one who suffers the action). The adjunct adjunct, on the other hand, indicates the agent (the one who performs the action).

Take the following sentence as an example: “The teacher's criticisms of the student were restricted to punctual questions in the text”.

• Subject: Teacher's criticism of the student
• Subject's core: criticism
• Nominal complement: to the student
• Adnominal assistant: from the teacher

Let's look at more example sentences with adjuncts:

1. the plans of the engineer were excellent. (The agent, “engineer”, is an adnominal deputy).
2. The essay from Marilia deserves grade 10. (The agent, “Marília”, is an adnominal deputy).

Compare with the nominal complements:

1. Investments in health were below expectations that year. (“In health”, complement to the noun “investments”, is patient; therefore, nominal complement).
2. The execution from work it was faster than we imagined. (“Of work”, patient, is a complement to the noun “execution”).

see the meaning of definite and indefinite article.