Generally, action verbs take objects and linking verbs take complements.
So, first, determine which kind of verb you have.
Remember!: "Sensory verbs" can be action or linking. Determine if the subject of the sentence is "doing" the action. If it is, it is an action verb. If the verb tells something about how the subject "is", it is linking.
exs. - I tasted the chili. ("tasted" is an action because I am actually "doing" the tasting.)
The chili tasted hot.("tasted" is telling me something about how the chili "is". The chili isn't "doing" the tasting.)
Not all action verbs take an object. Some never do and some may or may not.
The ones that do take objects are called transitive verbs, the ones that don't are intransitive.
Direct Object - A noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb or
shows the result of the action. The direct object tells what or whom after an
action verb.
exs. - In English, we built a model of the Globe Theater. (answers "What?")
We photographed football players at training camp. (answers "Whom?")
ex. - He wears a cowboy hat, boots, and spurs. ("hat", "boots", and "spurs" are all direct objects.)
Indirect Object - A noun or pronoun that comes between the action verb and
the direct object and tells "to what" or "to whom" or "for what" or "for whom" the action of the verb is done.
exs. - I sent Mary postcards. ("Mary" answers "To Whom?")
We gave the horse sugar cubes. ("horse" answers "To What?")
He bought us a cribbage board. ("us" answers "For Whom?")
ex. - My uncle bought my cousin and me tickets. ("cousin" and "me" are both indirect objects)
Predicate adjectives and predicate nominatives are collectively called subject complements because they complete the meaning of the linking verb and identify or describe the subject.
Predicate Nominative - A noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and identifies the subject or refers to it.
exs. - My bird is a parakeet. ("parakeet" identifies the bird.)
Mr. Fisher is one of the Yellow Team teachers. ("one" refers to the subject "Mr. Fisher".)
Predicate Adjective - An adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject.
ex. - Sumo wrestlers are very strong. (the adjective "strong" follow the verb and describes the subject "Sumo wrestlers".)
exs. - Colin Powell is a soldier and a diplomat. ("solider" and "diplomat" are both predicate nominatives telling more about "Colin Powell".)
Video games can be interesting, fun and exciting. ("interesting", "fun" and "exciting" are all predicate adjectives describing "video games".)