Firstly, it is essential to understand what a direct object is. A direct object is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb. For example, in the sentence, “I ate a sandwich,” the direct object is ‘sandwich’ it receives the action of the verb ‘ate.’ Once you identify the direct object, you can look for the word that comes after it, which can sometimes be a direct object complement.
Secondly, direct object complements usually come after specific verbs. These verbs include ‘make,’ ‘name,’ ‘create,’ ‘appoint,’ ‘call,’ ‘elect,’ ‘brand,’ ‘consider,’ and ‘declare.’ For example, in the sentence, “She named her dog Max,” the direct object ‘dog’ is followed by the direct object complement ‘Max.’
Thirdly, direct object complements can sometimes be adjectives that describe the direct object. For example, in the sentence, “He painted the wall red,” the direct object ‘wall’ is followed by the direct object complement ‘red,’ which describes how the wall was painted.
Fourthly, direct object complements can sometimes be pronouns that replace the direct object. In this case, they are known as object pronouns. For example, in the sentence, “She praised him highly,” the direct object ‘him’ is replaced by the direct object complement ‘him.’
Finally, direct object complements can sometimes be phrases or clauses that describe or identify the direct object. For example, in the sentence, “He considers the painting a masterpiece,” the direct object ‘painting’ is followed by the direct object complement phrase ‘a masterpiece.’
In conclusion, finding the direct object complement can sometimes be challenging, but it becomes more manageable with practice and familiarization with the types of words that come after direct objects. It is crucial to first identify the direct object, and then look for the word that follows it, which can sometimes be a direct object complement. With the right tools, anyone can learn how to find the direct object complement and make their sentences more precise and descriptive.