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 > > > > > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ > > Rebecca S. Wheeler, Ph.D. [log in to unmask] > > 1201 University Circle > > Department of English office phone: (801) 626-6009 > > Weber State University office fax: (801) 626-7760 > > Ogden, UTah 84408-1201 > > USA > > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ > > > > > > >