Page 629 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

verb complementation: what can follow a verb? 606
606 verb complementation:
what can follow a verb?
1 different verbs, different structures
Different verbs can be followed by different kinds of word and structure. This is partly a matter of meaning: after a verb like eat or break, for instance, it is normal to expect a noun; after try or stop, it is natural to expect a verb. It is also partly a matter of grammatical rules that have nothing to do with meaning. Before an object, wait is followed by for, expect has no preposition. One can tell somebody something, but one cannot explain Sfjmeb6dy Sfjmething. One hopes to see somebody, but one looks forward to seeing somebody. One advises somebody to see the doctor, but one does not suggest S6meb6dy t8 see the tl8et8r. Unfortunately there are no simple rules for this kind of problem; it is necessary to learn, for each verb, what kind of structures can follow it. A good dictionary will normally give this information.
2 verb + object; transitive and intransitive verbs
Some verbs are usually followed by nouns or pronouns that act as direct objects. In grammars these verbs are called 'transitive'. Examples are invite, surprise.
Let's invite Sally and Bruce. (BUT NOT Let's intlite.)
You surprised me. (BUT NOT ¥Bu surprised.)
Some verbs are not normally followed by direct objects. These are called 'intransitive'. Examples are sit, sleep.
Do sit down. (BUT NOT /)() sit tMt ehair.)
[ usually skep well. (BUT NOT She slept the btlby.) Many verbs can be both transitive and intransitive.
England lost the match. Let's eat.
England lost. I can't eat this.
Some transitive verbs can be followed by two objects (indirect and direct). For details, see 610.
I'll send you the form tomorrow.
I'm going to buy Sarah some flowers.
For verb structures used as objects. see paragraphs 8-10 below. For structures with object complements. see paragraph 10 below.
3 She opened the door I The door opened
Some verbs are used transitively and intransitively with different kinds of subject; the intransitive use has a meaning rather like a passive (see 412) or reflexive (see 493) verb. Compare:
- She opened the door. - The wind's moving the curtain.
The door opened. The curtain's moving.
For more examples, see 609.
4 verbs with prepositions and particles
Many verbs need prepositions before their objects. Whyareyoulookingatmelikethat?(NOT IWtyare}'Bu166kiltgme...n I'd like you to listen to this. (NOT ••• t6 listen this.)
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