Wh- question-form object

/ met Jim this morning Who(m) did you meet? Jim

I m reading a book What are you reading? A book

Most transitive verbs can be used in the passive Some transitive verbs consist of more than one part e g listen to [> Apps 28-30, 32-33, 37]

An intransitive verb is not followed by an object and can never be used in the passive [> App 1] Some intransitive verbs consist of more than one part e g touch down [> App 36] My head aches The plane touched down

Some verbs, like enjoy, can only be used transitively and must always. be followed by an object, others, like ache, are always intransitive

1 The sentence

Verbs like open can be used transitively or intransitively [> App 1.3]

- verb + object (transitive) Someone opened the door

- verb without object (intransitive) The door opened

1.10 Pattern 1: subject + verb

My head + aches

Verbs used in this pattern are either always intransitive or verbs which can be transitive or intransitive, here used intransitively

1.10.1 Intransitive verbs [> App 1.2]

Examples ache appear arrive come cough disappear fall go

Quick¹ The train's arrived It's arrived early Some intransitive verbs are often followed by an adverb particle {come in get up run away sit down etc) or adverbial phrase

- verb + particle [> 7.3.4] He came in He sat down He stood up

- verb + adverbial phrase [> 7.3.3] A crowd of people came into the room

.10.2 Verbs which are sometimes intransitive [> App 1.3]

Many verbs can be used transitively with an object (answering questions like What did you do?) and intransitively without an object (answering the question What happened?) break bum close drop fly hurt move open ring shake shut understand

- with an object / rang the bell I rang it repeatedly

- without an object The phone rang It rang repeatedly
Other examples

The fire burnt furiously Your essay reads well Sometimes the object is implied

William smokes/eats/drinks too much

1.11 Pattern 2: subject + verb + complement

Frank + is + clever/an architect

The verb in this pattern is always be or a verb related to be, such as appear become look seem sound and taste [> 10.23-26]

.11.1 Subject + 'be' + complement

The complement may be

- an adjective Frank is clever

- a noun Frank is an architect

- an adjective + noun Frank is a clever architect

- a pronoun it s mine

- an adverb of place or time The meeting is here/at 2.30

- a prepositional phrase Alice is like her father

1.12 Pattern 3: subject + verb + direct object

My sister + answered + the phone

Most verbs in the language can be used in this pattern [> App 1 1] The direct object may take a variety of forms, some of which are

- a noun [> 2.1 ] We parked the car in the car park

- a pronoun [> 4.1] We fetched her from the station

The simple sentence

- a reflexive pronoun [> 4.24] We enjoyed ourselves at the party

- an infinitive [> 16.13] / want to go home now

- an -ing form [> 16.42] / enjoy sitting in the sun

1.12.1 Verb + object + 'to' or 'for' + noun or pronoun [> 1.9.1,13.2-3]

The following verbs can have a direct object followed by to + noun or pronoun, or (where the sense permits) for + noun or pronoun They do not take an indirect object admit announce confess confide declare demonstrate describe entrust explain introduce mention propose prove repeat report say state and suggest

subject verb object (to + noun or pronoun)

Martin introduced his guests to Jane

The noun or pronoun following to or for cannot be put after the verb, so we cannot say 'explain me this* as, for example, we can say give me this where the indirect object can immediately follow the verb [> 1.13]

Gerald explained the situation to me (Not 'explained me*)

He explained it to me (Not 'explained me*)

Say it to me (Not 'say me*)

I can t describe this Would you describe it for me please? The passive is formed as follows [compare > 1.13.2]

The guests were introduced to Jane

The situation was explained to me To + noun or pronoun normally precedes a that-clause or an indirect question when the object is very long

Catherine explained to me what the situation was

1.13 Pattern 4: subject + verb + indirect object + direct object
They + gave + him + a watch

1.13.1 General information about Pattern 4 [compare > 12.3n4]

Verbs like bring buy and give can have two objects The indirect object always follows the verb and usually refers to a person

The firm gave Sam a gold watch Sam is an indirect object However, the direct object can come after the verb if we wish to emphasize it When this is the case, the indirect object is replaced by a prepositional phrase beginning with fo or for

The firm gave a watch with a beautiful inscription on it to Sam

They bought a beautiful gold watch for Sam The indirect object does not have to be a person

/ gave the car a wash

If the direct object is a pronoun (very often it or them) it normally comes immediately after the verb The indirect object is replaced by a prepositional phrase

They gave it to Sam They gave it to him However, if both direct and indirect objects are pronouns, some verbs such as bring buy fetch give hand pass send show and teach can be used as follows, particularly in everyday speech

Give me it Show me it

Give it me Show it me

1 The sentence

Give me it is more common than Give it me The pattern give it me does not often occur with verbs other than give The use of the object pronoun them {Give them me) is very rare

The verbs in Pattern 4 can fall into three categories

1.13.2 Pattern 4: Category 1: verbs that can be followed by 'to'

subject + verb + indirect object + direct object

He showed me the photo

subject + verb + direct object + to + noun or pronoun
He showed the photo to me

In the passive the sub|ect can be the person to whom something is 'given' or the thing which is 'given', depending on emphasis

/ was shown the photo

The photo was shown to me Here is a selection of verbs that can be used in this way bring give grant hand leave (= bequeath), lend offer owe pass pay play, post promise read recommend sell send serve show sing take teach tell throw and write

1.13.3 Pattern 4: Category 2: verbs that can be followed by 'for'

subject + verb + indirect object + direct object

He bought Jane a present

subject + verb + direct object + for + noun or pronoun
He bought a present for Jane

These sentences can be put into the passive in two ways

Jane was bought a present

A present was bought for Jane Here is a selection of verbs that can be used in this pattern Normally only bring and buy can have a person as a subject in the passive bring build buy call catch change choose cook cut do fetch find fix get keep leave make order prepare reach reserve save sing

In Categories 1 and 2, to or for + noun or pronoun can be used when we wish to emphasize the person who benefits from the action or when the indirect object is longer than the direct object Barbara made a beautiful dress for her daughter He bought a gift for his niece who lives in Australia

For can be ambiguous and its meaning depends on context The emphasis can be on 'the recipient'

Mother cooked a lovely meal for me (= for my benefit) or on the person acting on the recipient's behalf

/ / / cook the dinner for you (= on your behalf/instead of you)

For can be ambiguous when used after most of the verbs listed in 1.13.3, for can refer to the person acting on the recipient's behalf when used after most of the verbs in 1.13.2

The simple sentence

1.13.4 Pattern 4: Category 3: verbs that can be used without 'to' or 'for'

subject + verb + indirect object + direct object

I ll tell you the truth soon

subject + verb + indirect object only

/ // tell you soon

The passive can be formed in two ways

You will be told the truth soon

The truth will be told to you soon The direct object may often be omitted but is implied after ask bet forgive grant owe pay promise show teach tell write

I'II write you I bet you I grant you I’II promise you etc

1.14 Pattern 5: subject + verb + object + complement

They + appointed + him + chairman

Verbs used in this pattern are often in the passive Here is a selection of common ones appoint baptize call consider christen crown declare elect label make name proclaim pronounce vote They appointed him chairman He was appointed chairman They made Sam redundant Sam was made redundant The complement is usually a noun, though after call consider declare make pronounce it can be an adjective or a noun They called him foolish/a fool

Here are a few verbs that combine with an object + adjectival complement drive (me) crazy/mad/wild get (it) clean/dirty dry/wet open/shut find (it) difficult/easy hold (it) open/still keep (it) cool/fresh/ shut leave (it) clean/dirty open/shut like (it) hot make (it) easy/plain/ safe open (it) wide paint (it) brown/red prefer (it) fried pull (it) shut/tight push (it) open want (it) raw wipe (it) clean/dry Loud music drives me crazy I'm driven crazy by loud music