Signalers

Common signalers of complements

Complement Type	Common Signalers	Examples
Adjective Complement (phrases completing the meaning of an adjective)	- Prepositions (often of, with, about, to, at, for) - Subordinators introducing clauses (that, if, whether, how, why)	afraid of spiders happy that you came keen to help
Subject Complement (after linking verbs)	- Linking verbs: be, become, seem, appear, feel, look, remain, sound, stay, taste, smell, grow, turn	She is a teacher. He became angry. The milk smells bad.
Object Complement (completing or modifying the object)	- Causative/perception verbs: make, find, consider, call, elect, name, paint, leave, choose - Verb + object + infinitive/adj/noun patterns	They made me angry. We elected her president. I found the movie boring.

A complement is selected by a head verb or adjective. Otherwise it may be a determiner:

In the courtroom, a jury’s decision may now be informed by cGI models.

Main signalers of implied subjects

Structure Type	Signalers / Clues	Implied Subject Is…	Example
Imperatives (commands/instructions)	Verb in base form with no stated subject	You	Sit down. → (You) sit down.
Infinitival clauses (to + verb)	“to + verb” without a stated subject	Usually the subject of the higher clause, or generic “you/one”	I want to leave. → (I) want (me) to leave.
Gerund clauses (verb-ing phrases)	-ing form functioning as subject/object without explicit subject	Often generic “you/one” or contextual agent	Swimming is fun. → (People / you / one) swimming is fun.
Diary / note style (elliptical clauses)	Present tense verbs without subjects in informal logs or headlines	I (first person implied)	Feeling tired today. → (I am) feeling tired today.
Instructions / Recipes / Headlines	Telegraphic style lacking subjects	Generic one / you / we / people	Add water. Bake for 20 minutes.
Subordinate clauses used as complements	Verbs like want, know, hope, decide followed by to + verb	Same as subject of main clause	They decided to leave. → (They decided (they) would leave.)
Non-finite clauses after prepositions	before/after/by/without + -ing	Contextual doer from main clause	She left without saying goodbye. → (She left without her saying goodbye.)

## Intransitive Verbs
A verb that does not take a direct object.