Category 1: Definition & Basics
What is an adjective complement?
A word, phrase, or clause that completes the meaning of an adjective.
Explanation:
Some adjectives do not express a complete idea by themselves. The complement gives essential information that finishes the adjective’s meaning (e.g., afraid of spiders).
Which preposition correctly completes the sentence?
She is good ___ math.
at
Explanation:
The adjective good is commonly followed by the preposition at when referring to skills.
Identify the adjective complement:
“The students were excited about the competition.”
about the competition
Explanation:
The prepositional phrase completes the adjective excited.
Correct the sentence:
She is interested on science.
She is interested in science.
Explanation:
Interested must be followed by in.
In the sentence “She is proud of her success,” what is the adjective complement?
"of her success"
Explanation:
The adjective proud needs additional information. The prepositional phrase of her success completes its meaning.
Choose the correct option:
They are interested (in / on) history.
in
Explanation:
Interested always takes the preposition in when referring to a topic.
What type of complement is “of heights” in this sentence?
She is afraid of heights.
Prepositional phrase.
Explanation:
The complement begins with the preposition of and contains an object (heights).
Add an adjective complement:
He is proud(...)
He is proud of his achievements.
Explanation:
The complement explains what he is proud of.
True or False:
An adjective complement can appear before the adjective.
False.
Explanation:
Adjective complements usually appear after the adjective because they complete its meaning.
Fill in the blank:
He was angry ___ the delay.
about
Explanation:
Angry about is used for situations or things, while angry with
Identify the adjective complement:
“He is confident that he will succeed.”
that he will succeed
Explanation:
This is a that-clause functioning as an adjective complement.
Which sentence correctly uses an adjective complement?
A. She is happy her success.
B. She is happy about her success.
B
Explanation:
Happy requires a prepositional phrase (about) or a that-clause to be grammatically correct.
Which part of speech most often introduces adjective complements?
Prepositions.
Explanation:
Many adjective complements are prepositional phrases, such as interested in, afraid of, or good at.
Which sentence is correct?
A. She is responsible of the project.
B. She is responsible for the project.
B
Explanation:
The adjective responsible correctly takes the preposition for, not of.
Which word is the adjective being completed?
“They were shocked by the announcement.”
shocked
Explanation:
The complement by the announcement completes the adjective shocked.
Rewrite using a that-clause complement:
I am sure of his honesty.
I am sure that he is honest.
Explanation:
The noun phrase complement is replaced with a that-clause without changing the meaning.
Identify the adjective complement: “I am certain that she will arrive on time.”
that she will arrive on time
Explanation:
This is a that-clause complement because it completes the meaning of the adjective certain.
Why is “She is afraid” incomplete in meaning?
Because afraid usually requires a complement.
Explanation:
Without a complement like of something or that-clause, the adjective does not fully express what the fear is about.
In the sentence “I am happy to help you,” what kind of complement is used?
Infinitive phrase.
Explanation:
The infinitive to help you completes the meaning of the adjective happy.
Why is this sentence incorrect?
They are excited to the results.
The wrong structure is used.
Explanation:
Excited can be followed by about + noun (about the results) or to + verb (to see the results), but not to + noun.