Page 70 - IELTS Preparation Grammar and Vocab

9 Verb patterns (1)

EU Verb + object + adjective
Some verbs (e.g. believe, consider, prove) can be followed by an object + adjective
We might consider first language learning natural ... (object = first language learning adjective = natural)

EN Verb + reflexive pronoun

Let me introduce myself I'd like to talk about what I call private conversations - children talking to themselves
When the subject and the object of a sentence refer to the same person or thing, we use a reflexive pronoun
as the object rather than a personal pronoun. The reflexive pronouns are myself, yourseff, herself himself,
itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.
After some verbs we can use a reflexive pronoun or leave it out with little difference in meaning. These include
acclimatise to, adapt to, (un)dress, hide, move, prepare for, shave and wash:
As my three year-old daughter dresses (herselfi, she likes to talk.
We include the reflexive pronoun for emphasis. In this example, we might include herseff to emphasise that she
dresses without help.
A few verbs are very often used with a reflexive pronoun followed by a particular preposition: busy ... with,
distance ...from, pride ... on:
When children appear to be busying themselves with their toys ...
Some verbs are rarely or never used with a reflexive pronoun in English, but often are in other languages. These
include complain, concentrate, get up, get hot, get tired, lie down, meet, relax, remember, sit down and wake up:
From the moment they wake up ... (not
With verbs followed by direct object + preposition + indirect object we usually use a personal pronoun, not a
reflexive pronoun, as indirect object:
Parents sometimes hide an object behind them. (not
If we need to make it clear that the subject and indirect object refer to the same person, we use a reflexive
pronoun. Compare
Maria didn't buy the teddy bear for her. (her = could mean either Maria or someone else)
Maria didn't buy the teddy bear for herself (herself = Maria)

2.4 Verb + each other! one another
Compare the use of verbs with reflexive pronouns and each other one another
Sara and Noel blamed themselves when their daughter broke her arm. (= they said it was the fault of both of
them)
Sara and Noel blamed each other / one another when their daughter broke her arm. (= Sara said it was Noel's
fault and Noel said it was Sara's fault)
With some verbs (e.g. agree, coincide, play) we have to use the preposition with before each other I one another
It is wonderful to see two small children playing with each other peacefully.
After the verbs embrace, fight, hug, kiss, marry and meet we can use each other or (with) one another, but this can
be omitted:
Two small children at a nursery school might hug (each other / one another) when they meet.

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