Page 81 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

V e r b s w i t h a n d w i t h o u t o b j e c t s
objects
and
Verbs
with
without
sentences in this table:
Study the sentences in this table:
Study the
A good dictionary will list
subject + verb object other parts Note: A good dictionary will list
parts
Note:
subject + verb
object
other
the meanings of verbs and tell you
the meanings of verbs and tell you

Did you see your sister at the weekend? each meaning is transitive
Did you see your sister at the weekend? whether each meaning is transitive
whether
intransitive or both.
described new building. or intransitive or both.
or
the
He described
He the new building.

arrived three hours late.
They arrived three hours late.
They

He coughed.
He coughed.

verbs (e.g. see, describe) are followed by an object. These are called transitive verbs.
Some
Some verbs (e.g. see, describe) are followed by an object. These are called transitive verbs.
verbs that are transitive in their most common meanings include arrest, avoid, do, enjoy,
«Other verbs that are transitive in their most common meanings include arrest, avoid, do, enjoy,
a Other
•find, force, get, give, grab, hit, like, pull, report, shock, take, tell, touch, want, warn.
efind,force, get, give, grab, hit, like, pull, report, shock, take, tell, touch, want, warn.
verbs (e.g. arrive, cough) are not followed by an object. These are called intransitive verbs.
Some
Some verbs (e.g. arrive, cough) are not followed by an object. These are called intransitive verbs.
verbs that are intransitive in their most common meanings include appear, come, fall, go,
qOther
eOther verbs that are intransitive in their most common meanings include appear, come, fall, go,
•happen, matter, sleep, swim, wait.
Shappen, matter, sleep, swim, wait.
verb can't be followed by an object, it can't be made passive (see Unit 29).
a
If
If a verb can't be followed by an object, it can't be made passive (see Unit 29).
В Some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive. Compare:
verbs
can
intransitive.
both transitive
and
Compare:
be
Some
The door closed.
and
• * I closed the door. and • * The door closed.
Iclosed the door.
of change.
are
kind
Other
break,
are
examples
this
used
to
talk
like
some
about
often
' Verbs like this are often used to talk about some kind of change. Other examples are break,
Verbs
burn, empty, increase, open, shut, spoil.
burn, empty, increase, open, shut, spoil.
transitive verbs can have their objects left out when the meaning is clear from the context:
Some
Some transitive verbs can have their objects left out when the meaning is clear from the context:
He has smoked (cigarettes) since he was 10. (the saxophone) beautifully.
• * He has smoked (cigarettes) since he was 10. • * She plays (the saxophone) beautifully.
She plays
Other verbs like this include answer, ask, cook, dance, drink, eat, fail, phone, read, sing, wash,
Other verbs like this include answer, ask, cook, dance, drink, eat, fail, phone, read, sing, wash,
win, write.
win, write.
some verbs we typically or always add a completion - a phrase which completes the
After some verbs we typically or always add a completion - a phrase which completes the
After
of the verb - which can be an adverb or prepositional phrase. Compare:
meaning of the verb - which can be an adverb or prepositional phrase. Compare:
meaning
(no completion
needed)
He paused,
He paused for a few moments.
• * He paused for a few moments. or or • * Hepaused. (no completion needed)
disease originated in Britain, (not The disease originated.) (completion needed)
The
• * The disease originated in Britain. (not The disease originated.) (completion needed)
verbs which are typically or always followed by a completion are intransitive in their most
Some verbs which are typically or always followed by a completion are intransitive in their most
Some
common meanings:
common meanings:
sure that blue car belongs to Matthew.
• ¢ I'm sure that blue car belongs to Matthew.
I'm
had to contend with hundreds of complaints, (not We had to contend.)
• * We
We had to contend with hundreds ofcomplaints. (not We had to contend.)
together
examples
completion:
the
with prepositions that commonly
are
begin
' Here are some more examples together with prepositions that commonly begin the completion:
more
some
Here
Passive sentences => associate red the floor. France. (not She put the report.) red wine.)
alternate between, aspire to, care for, culminate in, object to.
alternate between, aspire to, care for, culminate in, object to.
followed
in
transitive
most
their
a
by
are
completion
are
typically
which
verbs
always
or
Other
Other verbs which are typically or always followed by a completion are transitive in their most
common meanings:
common meanings:
always
associate
with
always
wine
• *
(not I
(not I always associate red wine.)
I I always associate red wine with France.
(ио^ She put the report.)
put the report on
• *
She
She put the report on the floor.
some more examples together with prepositions that commonly
begin
completion:
the
are
Here are some more examples together with prepositions that commonly begin the completion:
Here
base...on, compare...with, interest...in, lend...to, mistake...for, prevent...from, regard...as,
base...on, compare...with, interest...in, lend...to, mistake...for, prevent...from, regard...as,
remind...of, supply...with.
remind...of, supply...with.
Passive sentences =
=
Veb+twoobecs
Verb + two objects = PIE