Thanks for the answer. I always have problems with it, because as far as I know "is" is not always placed at the end of a sentence even when it's an affirmative sentence.
I can't think of any examples now, but I'm sure there are such cases.
Hi
Good example.
So why not: ...what wrong with this sentence is.
what functions ... in yours - as object.
No.
I admit that I don't know [what the truth about it is].
The bracketed nominal relative clause is the object of "know". "what" functions as the predicate nominative in the sub-clause. :up:
:up: Still, it's the object
Again, no.
I do not know something.
I do not know what the truth is.
If "what" is indeed the object, then what is "the truth is"?
In copulative constructions (SVC), C is the subject complement, which is either adjectival, nominal, or adverbial. There is no object there.
For the sake of simplicity, I used the term object instead of complement
They are chalk and cheese, eng. Crack a decent book on syntax and you will see.
but isn't the complement the object to the verb?
Nein. An object to the verb is sometimes referred to as a complement (as it adds to the completion of the verb's meaning), but never the reverse.
In grammar, the object of a verb or a preposition is the word or phrase which completes the structure begun by the verb or preposition.
You're absolutely right about that.
Just have a look at the following, a simple definition of the term object taken from Collins:
object
4. In grammar, the object of a verb or a preposition is the word or phrase which completes the structure begun by the verb or preposition.
a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that receives the action of a verb or is governed by a preposition,
That's exactly what I meant by simplicity, Bamako3.
Thank you, engee, but I would rather stick to my guns. :up: