COMPLEMENT VS ADJUNCT

The main difference between Complement and Adjunct is that an adjunct is only an optional phrase to elaborate a sentence whereas a complement is indispensable for a sentence to give a proper meaning to it.

Adjunct and complement are similar in appearance but there are comparable differences between their functionalities. The line to separate adjunct and complement can be a little vague.

In general usage, an adjunct is an appendage. It can be something attached to something else in a secondary capacity. When used as a noun, a complement is used as a counterpart, something that added that makes a sentence whole.

Parameter of Comparison	Complement	Adjunct
Definition	A complement is a word or a set of words which alters a subject, verb, or object.	An adjunct is a word or a set of words that can give extra information about functionaries within a sentence.
Significance	A complement is crucial in a sentence to give it a proper meaning and grammatical correctness.	An adjunct is not essential in a sentence to give it a meaning and make it grammatically correct.
Role	A complement provides specific meaning to the sentence.	An adjunct provides a descriptive image to the sentence.
Effect	Removal of complement will harm the meaning and construction of the sentence.	Removal of adjunct does not harm the overall meaning and construction.
Sentence completion	Complement is mandatory for the completion of a sentence.	Adjunct is not mandatory for the completion of a sentence.

 

What is Complement?

Complement is a part of a sentence that constitutes a word or a group of words that modifies the subject, verb, or object.

Complements are needed in a sentence and one should be aware of the correct usage of it in a sentence and about the various forms in which a complement can be used in a sentence.

Complement is the element that gives a specific meaning to a sentence. When it is removed, the sentence will lose its meaning. Usually, one cannot write or speak complete sentences without a complement in it.

There are various types of complements commonly used in a sentence such as

1.     Subject complements

2.     Object complements

3.     Verb complements

4.     Adverb complements

5.     Adjective complements, etc.

For example, in the sentence ‘John is a carpenter’, the word carpenter denotes a complement and belongs to the group of subject complement. If the word ‘carpenter’ is removed from the sentence, it will lose meaning and correctness. There are different forms for using a complement in a sentence and the sentence needs to be identified with a particular message.

What is Adjunct?

An adjunct is a part of a sentence that constitutes a word or set of words that can give extra information on the functionaries of a sentence. These functionaries can be different parts of a sentence such as subject, object, or predicate.

In English Grammar, adjuncts are one of the five significant elements of clause structure which is not a necessary phrase to the structure but word or words that can provide some additional meaning to the sentence.

In the sentence I kept a copy of the document on my shelf, the phrase on my shelf adds extra meaning to the sentence. It tells where, and that is an adjunct.

Without an adjunct, sentences can be a little dry and sometimes unable to convey answers to questions like how, where, why, etc. An adjunct can be detached from a sentence without making the sentence wrong or grammatically imprecise.

Even after removing an adjunct from a sentence, it can still provide a meaning. Therefore, the role of an adjunct is secondary in the construction of a sentence.

An adjunct is not essential for sentence construction. Most adjuncts are adverbs using to assist the description of a verb. An adjunct can describe the place, time, reason, manner, frequency, etc.

For Example, in the sentence, ‘I completely forgot about her arrival’, the word completely is an adjunct. When the adjunct is removed from the sentence, it can still convey the meaning. It only affects the magnitude or strength of the action.

Main Differences Between Complement and Adjunct

1.     The main difference between Complement and Adjunct is that and adjunct is not an essential part of the sentence whereas a complement is an essential part of a sentence.

2.     Adjuncts are not needed in the sentence to give it meaning but without a complement the sentence will not convey proper meaning.

3.     A complement is essential for sentence completion whereas an adjunct is not necessary for the completion of a sentence.

4.     Complements are structurally indispensable in a sentence whereas adjuncts are structurally dispensable in a sentence.

5.     Adjuncts are always adverbial but complements can be nouns or adverbs.

Complements and Adjuncts Compared

Complements differ from Adjuncts in two important respects:

1.                 Complements immediately follow the Head

In most phrases, the Complement must immediately follow the Head:

Ali [VP plays [Complement the piano] [Adjunct beautifully]]

In contrast, the reverse order is not possible:

*Ali [VP plays [Adjunct beautifully] [Complement the piano]]

Similarly:

fond [Complement of biscuits] [Adjunct with coffee]

~*fond [Adjunct with coffee] [Complement of biscuits]

Complements, then, bear a much closer relationship to the Head than Adjuncts do.

2. Adjuncts are "stackable"

In theory at least, we can "stack" an indefinite number of Adjuncts, one after another, within a phrase. For example, consider the NP:

	Adjunct	Adjunct	Adjunct	Adjunct
the book	on the shelf	by Ali	with the red cover	that you gave me...

 

In contrast with this, phrases are limited in the number of Complements that they can take. In fact, they usually have only one Complement. Ditransitive verb phrases are an exception to this. Recall that they take two Complements:

We [VP gave [Complement Usman] [Complement a present]]