Complement – complément

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Let's Define It!

What's a *complement*?

complement completes. My job is done. End of the story.

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Or is it? Alright, alright, you want more? No problem! Let's dive right in!

A grammatical complement, (un complément in French) is a word, phrase or clause that depends on another entity within the sentence. It is attached to that entity and gives further information about it.

In French grammar, there are 3 main types of complements:

  • le complément du nom; (genetive construction) --> la porte de ma chambre /The door of my room -- The complement ma chambre provides additional info about the noun la porte (door). We can therefore say that it completes it.
  • le complément du verbe (also referred to as objet / object); ex. : Je parle français / I speak French -- "français" completes the verb "parle".
  • le complément de l'adverbe (usually with quantifiers); ex. : Beaucoup de voitures sont importées chaque année; / Many cars are imported each year.
  • le complément de l'adjectif (adjectival complement); ex. : Martine est heureuse de cette nouvelle; / Martine is happy about this news.
  • le complément de la phrase (adverbial), also referred to as complément circonstanciel:  Nous avons marché rapidement. / We walked rapidly. "Rapidement" completes the statement "Nousavons marché".

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Let's Pronounce It!

What does it sound like in French?

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Let's Have an Example or Two!

Can a little reinforcement do the trick?

  • complément du nom --> Le papa de Vanessa est prof. / Vanessa's father is a teacher.
  • complément de l'adverbe --> Peu de gens savent la solution à ce problème. / Few people know the solution to this problem. 
  • complément de l'adjectif --> Ce jeune enfant est assoiffé de savoir.  / This young child is thirsty for knowledge.
  • complément de la phrase --> J'irai au magasin dans quelques instants. / I will go to the store in a few minutes.
  • complément du verbe--> Il chante une belle chanson.He is singing a beautiful song. 

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