The object complement depends on the verb of the clause. It is used to designate the being or the thing to which the action expressed by the verb relates.
• La direction organisera une rencontre. (The management will organize a meeting)
“une rencontre” is the complement of the verb “organisera”
Depending on how the object complement is related to the verb, there are three types of object complement: the direct object complement, the indirect object complement and the second object complement.
A. The direct object complement
The direct object complement (COD) joins the verb without a preposition to complete its meaning.It is a verb complement. It represents the being or the thing that directly receives the action that the subject does.
• Pierre mange une pomme. (Pierre eats an apple)
→ “une pomme” is a direct complement, it adds meaning directly to the verb “mange” without any preposition.
• Le maçon construit une maison. (The mason builds a house)
• Virginie aime les roses blanches. (Virginie loves white roses)
To find the COD of a verb, it is usually enough to ask the question 'who or what?' after this verb.
• Pierre mange une pomme → Pierre mange quoi ? – une pomme (COD)
• Le maçon construit une maison → Le maçon construit quoi ? (COD)
• Virginie aime les roses blanches → Virginie aime quoi ? - les roses blanches (COD)
On the other hand, in a sentence put in the passive form, the COD would become the subject of the verb.
• Virginie aime les roses blanches → Les roses blanches sont aimées par Virginie.
• Pierre mange une pomme → Une pomme est mangée par Pierre.
• Le maçon construit une maison → Une maison est construite par le maçon.
Verbs that require a direct object complement are called direct transitives, those that require an indirect object complement, indirect transitives, and those that do not accept a complement (direct or indirect) are called intransitives.
B. The indirect object complement
The indirect object complement is a word (or group of words) which joins the verb via a preposition to complete its meaning. It is a verb complement. It represents the being or the thing that indirectly receives the action that the subject does.
• Il parle à son ami. (He talks to his friend)
• Il se souvient de ses vacances. (He remembers his vacation)
To recognize the indirect object, we ask the questions “to whom?” or “to what?”, “from whom?” or “from what?” and, depending on the meaning of the verb, “for whom?” or “for what?”, “against whom?” or “against what?”, etc.
Most of the time, the indirect object is introduced by the prepositions “à” or “de”. But we sometimes find other prepositions.
• Il compte sur votre amitié. (He is counting on your friendship)
• Il croit en nous. (He believes in us)
• Je n'attends pas après lui. (I am not waiting for him)
There is no preposition with conjoined personal PRONOUNS (This bad habit will harm you).
C. The second object complement
The same verb can have a direct object complement and an indirect object complement - we sometimes call the direct object, first object and the indirect object, second object
• J'ai donné ce livre à votre ami. (I gave this book to your friend)
When the verb requires an indirect object, it is said to be indirect transitive. The same verb can, depending on the meaning, be constructed directly or indirectly.
• “Compter” (count) accepts both constructions.
On peut compter des moutons et compter sur quelqu'un. (You can count sheep and count on someone)
• “Applaudir” (applaud) is of the same nature.
On peut applaudir un acteur ou applaudir à une initiative. (We can applaud an actor or applaud an initiative)