Understanding Spanish Grammar: Direct, Indirect Objects & More
Direct Object (DO)
A direct object (complemento directo or CD) is a noun or noun phrase that complements a transitive verb. When it refers to people, it is preceded by the preposition “a”. The direct object usually follows the verb, but Castilian allows for variations. In such cases, the direct object pronoun (lo, la, los, las) is repeated.
Example: I found the girl at home.
Indirect Object (IO)
An indirect object (complemento indirecto or CI) is a prepositional phrase that refers to the entity that receives the effect of the action expressed by the verb. It may appear twice in a sentence.
Example: My brother bought a disc.
You can recognize it because it is introduced by “a” or “para”.
Example: I sent for him.
Sometimes, an indirect object may appear without a preposition, as is the case with some pronouns.
Example: She grilled skirt.
The indirect object never allows for the three tests of the direct object. You can recognize it by elimination. Always remember: the pronouns me, te, le, nos, os can be either direct or indirect objects, depending on the sentence in which they appear.
Circumstantial Complement (CC)
A circumstantial complement (complemento circunstancial or CC) is a word that accompanies the verb to indicate references of space, place, time, manner, cause, amount, etc., in which the action takes place. The circumstantial complement can appear in both nominal and verbal sentences and may take several circumstantial complements. Its identification is simple. It answers questions such as: When? How? Where? Who? What?
Attribute (ATB)
An attribute (atributo or ATB) is a noun or adjective that only accompanies linking verbs (ser, estar, and parecer). In a copulative sentence, there will never be a direct object. It would be a serious mistake to confuse the attribute with the direct object. The direct object supports substitution by the pronouns lo, la, los, las, while the attribute can only do so by the pronoun lo exclusively.
Example: This girl is Mary. (ATB)
Another important fact that will help you identify an attribute is that when it is an adjective, it always agrees in gender and number with the subject’s core.
Example: That boy is handsome. He is.
Predicate (PVO)
A predicate (predicativo or PVO) is an adjective or participle that appears in the verbal predicate without directly accompanying a noun. Although the predicative is usually an adjective, with verbs like elect, appoint, etc., it can be a noun.
Example: He was elected mayor. (PVO)
It is recognized by:
- It answers the question How? posed to the verb.
Example: How does the girl rest? Quietly. (PVO)
Never mistake the predicate for the circumstantial complement of manner (CCM) for this reason: the predicate is an adjective or a participle, while the CCM is an adverb or prepositional phrase, but never an adjective.Example: The child rests quietly. (CCM – adverb)
It agrees in gender and number with the subject almost always and sometimes with the direct object of the sentence.Example: The girl rests quiet. (PVO – adjective, feminine singular)
It always accompanies non-copulative verbs. This differentiates it from the attribute.Complement Agent (CAG)
A complement agent (complemento agente or CAG) accompanies passive verbs and indicates who performed the verbal action. It is introduced by the preposition “por”. Sometimes, a passive sentence does not have a complement agent (in this case, it would be a second passive).
Example: Information was provided to travelers by a hostess at the airport.
Sentences with passive verbs can take other complements, such as indirect objects or any circumstantial complements.
Supplement (SPL)
- It always takes a preposition like por, en, de, con, etc., but rarely the preposition “a”.
Example: I’ve always trusted you. (SPL) Your notes do not depend on me. (SPL)
The supplement is always required by the predicate’s nucleus (the verb). Some verbs need to carry a supplement.Example: I’ve always trusted you. (SPL) Trusted always requires “something” or “someone”. The verb to trust, therefore, requires a supplement.
Some verbs that can take a supplement are: trust, insist, take, depend, remember, believe, etc.