In my original inquiry, I used "complement" to designate all of the
verb-completers named in most traditional grammars, including direct
objects and indirect objects as well as complements with "complement" in
their names.  Surely direct objects and indirect objects do not "specify a
trait of some entity."  So, given that "complement" is widely used as an
umbrella term for different kinds of verb-completer, I am asking if
adverbs of time/place used with BE cannot also crowd under the embrella.

On Tue, 9 Mar 1999, rebecca s. wheeler wrote:

> Johanna brings up good examples, pointing out that Nouns can perform
> the function of adverbs or adverbials.
>
>
> Max Morenberg (Doing Grammar, 1997 Oxford U. Press) might render this
> as follows:
>
>
> NP:S BE NP:Advplace
>
>
> which might be translated as an Noun Phrase performing the work of
> subject + a form of the verb BE + a Noun Phrase performing the work of
> an adverb of place.
>
>
>
> John Kirchner wrote regarding the following:
>
>
> >John is here.
>
> >John is in the kitchen.
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >Would I be drummed out of the profession if I called that adverb a
>
> >complement because it completes its verb  as much as  subject
> complements
>
> >or direct objects complete their verbs?
>
> >When is the exam?
>
> >The exam is Thursday.
>
> >The exam is next week.
>
>
> Alternatively, and again, quoting Morenberg, he notes that "some
> grammarians classify the adjectives, nouns and adverbs that follow BE
> as SUBJECTIVE COMPLEMENT." (p. 14).
>
>
> So, I would agree with Michael that one might call "thursday" or "in
> June" a  complement, but for a reason different than he suggests.
>
>
> I think the "complement" classification comes not because it "completes
> the verb", but because it specifies a trait of some entity, itself, or
> renames that entity as in
>
>
> I consider my dog very smart
>
>
> Thus,  'my dog' is Noun Phrase functioning as Object. and "very smart"
> is an adjective phrase functioning as Object complement.  Thus "very
> smart" is a trait of the dog itself.
>
>
> If you think of it, <italic>most</italic>  post verbal nouns "complete
> the verb" in some sense, so that wouldn't distinguish NPs functioning
> as Direct Objects, from NPs functioning as Complements (as in I
> consider my dog the best dog on the block) (where 'the best dog on the
> block' is a NP functioning as Object complement).
>
>
> So, I'd agree with the 'complement' possibility but suggest a different
> 'why'.
>
>
>
> :)
>
>
> rebecca
>
>
>
>
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>
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>
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>
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>
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>
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>
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>
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>
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>