Join In
Twitter
YouTube
Weekly Newsletter
Libraries
A-Z Grammatical Terms
A-Z Confused Words
FAQs by Writers
A-Z Awkward Plurals
Punctuation Lessons
Common Mistakes
(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
for your browser
(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
for your browser
Adjective Complement
What Is an Adjective Complement? (with Examples)
An adjective complement is a phrase or a clause that completes the meaning of an adjective. For example:- Anna was angry about your comment. (The highlighted phrase is an adjective complement. It completes the meaning of the adjective "angry.")
- Anna was angry that you commented. (The highlighted clause is an adjective complement. It also completes the meaning of the adjective "angry.")
Table of Contents
- Types of Adjective Complement
- Traits of an Adjective Complement
- Why Adjective Complements Are Important
- Printable Test

Types of Adjective Complement
An adjective complement can take one of three forms: (1) a prepositional phrase, (2) an infinitive phrase, or (3) a clause.(1) Adjective Complements as Prepositional Phrases
- John is happy with his test results.
- I am worried about her attitude.
- Sarah felt alone in the world.
(2) Adjective Complements as Infinitive Phrases
- We were happy to be of service.
- The crew were relieved to reach dry land.
- Are you ready to go?
(3) Adjective Complements as Clauses
- I am unsure why you raised this point.
- She was suspicious how you passed the test.
- John seems certain who contacted the media.
- Anna was disappointed that you promoted Sarah.
- An interrogative pronoun (e.g., "who," "what," "which," "whose")
- An interrogative adverb ("why," "where," "when," "how")
- "That."
Note: If the clause modifies the verb, it is not an adjective complement. In these two examples, the clauses are not adjective complements because they modify verbs (underlined).
- I was wrong when I predicted the weather.
- The CEO was anxious when the tax inspector called.
Traits of an Adjective Complement
- An adjective complement is a phrase or a clause, not a single word.
- An adjective complement follows immediately after the adjective it completes.
- An adjective complement modifies a predicate adjective.
- An adjective complement is necessary to complete the meaning of its adjective.
- John was angry about my promotion. (In this example, "was" is a linking verb. It links the subject "John" to the predicate adjective "angry." The phrase "about my promotion" is an adjective complement modifying "angry.")
- Sarah seems unconcerned that she was overlooked. (Here, "seems" is a linking verb. It links the subject "Sarah" to the predicate adjective "unconcerned." The clause "that she was overlooked" is an adjective complement modifying "unconcerned."
- I am extremely satisfied on my own. (In this example, "extremely" an adverb modifying the adjective "satisfied." If it is removed from the sentence, the meaning is not lost. "On my own," however, is a prepositional phrase that complements "satisfied." If it is removed, the reason for saying the sentence is lost.)
- We are a little unsure why you are here. (Here, "a little" is an adverbial phrase modifying the adjective "unsure." If it is removed, the meaning is not lost. The clause "why you are here " is an adjective complement. If it is removed, the essence of the sentence is lost.)
- An adjective complement is a phrase or clause that completes the meaning of an adjective. Without it, the reason for saying the sentence is lost.
Help Us Improve Grammar Monster
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?
- Do you think "The CEO was concerned when sales fell" includes an example of an adjective complement?
Find Us Quicker!
- When using a search engine (e.g., Google, Bing), you will find Grammar Monster quicker if you add #gm to your search term.