Sometimes we need to add something to a verb, noun or adjective to complete its meaning. For example, if somebody says I want, we expect to hear what he or she wants.
The words and expressions, which are thus used to complete the meaning of a noun, verb or adjective, are called complements.
- I want a car.
- He is interested in the supernatural.
- We need to go.
- I hate having to work on Sundays.
- She dislikes such people.
Verbs can usually be followed by noun complements or –ing forms with no preposition. Nouns and adjectives normally need a preposition to join them to their complements.
Compare:
- I hate soap operas. (No preposition between the verb and its complement.)
- My hatred of soap operas …. (The noun hatred requires a preposition to join it to its complement.)
It is important to know what kind of complements can come after a particular word. For example, interested can be followed by in…ing form or by an infinitive. Suggest can be followed by a that-clause or an –ing form; it cannot be followed by an infinitive. Want can be followed by an –infinitive; it cannot be followed by an –ing form or a that-clause.
- She suggested buying a new car. (NOT She suggested to buy a new car.)
- I am interested in learning to sing.
- He wants to go. (NOT He wants going.)