Grammar-Quizzes › Verb Phrases › Verb Complements
Verb Complements
Complete the meaning expressed by the verb
A verb complement:
- expresses the rest of what the subject and the verb require in order to make sense. He raised___. She treats him___. We like___.
- functions as the verb complement or "what must follow the verb" in the clause.
- takes form as:
- a noun phrase which functions as the direct object or the indirect object. We walk the dog. (direct object, transitive verbs) He handed me the dog. (indirect object, ditransitive verbs)
- a prepositional phrase which functions as the recipient of the object (He gave the dog to me.) or as a location (The dog is on the grass. ) or as a verb expression. (It consists of five parts. He refers to the book.)
- an adjective which expresses a state. He is healthy.
- a participle which expresses source or receiver of a feeling. Walking is tiring. We are tired.
- an adverb which completes a few expressions: The only way to lead is confidently. He treats his dog remarkably well.
- a clause which completes the meaning of the verb:
- a content clause that expresses a comlete idea, having a subject and a predicate (He said that he was a good walker.)
- a gerund clause that expresses opinion about a second activity. We enjoy walking everyday.
- an infinitive clause that expresses intent about a second activity. We plan to walk this evening.
Verb Phrases
Verb + Adjective (Adj)
Verb + Gerund (Ger)
Verb + Infinitive (Inf)
Verb + Noun Phrase (NP)
Verb + Participle (Partcpl)
Verb + That Clause (Cls)
Verb Groups
Verb Complements
Summary of Practices
States of Being: express existence and changes in states
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Static vs. Dynamic ("Be" + Adjective)
Practice 1 – complete paragraph
Practice 2 – identify the verb
Practice 3 – edit paragraph
He is tired.
He seems upset.
He appears lost.
("Be" + Adjective or Participle Modifier)
Verb + [Noun + Adj] Complement: indicate resulting states of actions (object complements)
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Resulting States – post-modifiers to object nouns
Want/Find (desire vs. encounter)
Have/ Get/ Make (service)
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – read and edit
Larry washed the car clean.
Larry wiped the car dry.
Larry pushed the door open.
She wants her car cleaned. (service)
She wants her car clean. (state) She found her car clean. (unexpected state)
Verb + Gerund : express opinion or comment on activities
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Practice 3 – edit the paragraph
Related pages:Gerund/ Infin Prac1, Gerund/ Infin Prac2
Fans enjoys seeing a good game.
They don't mind sitting in the cold night air.
They hate seeing their team lose.
Gerund Cls w/Subj: express opinion or comment on the activities of others
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
I thanked him for fixing my door.
I appreciate his fixing my door.
Verbs w/Infinitive Complements: express desire or intent to do an activity
Beginning– Intermediate ESL
Verbs with Infinitive Complements
Double "-ing" or "to" Forms in Sequence
Grammar Notes (show-hide arrow)
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – multiple choice
Practice 3 – edit
Edward needs to get help. (infinitive clause)
Ed needs [Ed get some help]. (subclause)
He helped [to] get the work done.
Ed doesn't want us to help.
Ed wants us not to help.
Infinitive Cls w/Subj: take action vs. express desire for someone else to do an activity
Beginning– Intermediate ESL
Similar but Different Pronouns
Bare Infinitives (omit "to")
Common Mistakes (show-hide arrow)
Practice – complete sentence (MC)
Ed needs [for Ed] to get some help.
Ed needs [(for) me to get some help.
Ed intended [Frida to do the portrait].
Ed persuaded Frida [to do the portrait].
Ed made Frida do the portrait.
Ed helped Frida (to) do the portrait.
Order + Obj + Infinitive: Impose will on (command) other people to do things
The judge ordered [for] John to leave.
The judge ordered that John leave. (Verb uses base form, no -s.)
Transitive Verbs: (verb + direct object) indicate the person or thing ("patient") affected by the action
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Jason rises.
Jason raises the blinds.
Jason studies.
Jason studies English.
The glass broke.
Jason broke the glass.
The baby weighs 10 lbs.
The doctor weighed the baby.
Verb Complements—Noun Phrases (Indirect Object)
Ditransitive Verbs: (verb + indirect object) indicate the "recipient" or "beneficiary" of the action
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice 1 – complete the sentence
Practice 2 – complete the sentence
Practice 3 – complete the sentence
My friend is bringing me a letter.
My friend is bringing a letter to me.
My friend is bringing me it.
Verb Complement—None(Intransitive Verbs)
Intransitive Verbs (Never Passive) recognize verbs that do not take objects
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Practice 3 – edit the paragraph
Also see Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs.
The earthquake happened on April 3, 2009 in Italy.
*The earthquake was happened on April 3, 2009 in Italy.
The baby weighed 7 lbs.
*The baby was weighed 7 lbs.
*not used
Verb + Preposition: complete the idea expressed by the subject and predicate
Intermediate–Advanced ESL
Literal vs. Figurative Meaning
Unspecified vs. Specified Preposition
One vs. More than One Prep Phrase
Verb + Prep List–Ordered Alphabetically
Verb + Prep List–Ordered by Preposition
Practice 1 – complete the sentence
He put out the cat.
He put out the fire.
The company put out a fine product.
I don't want to put you out.
Verb + Prep + Gerund: express opinion or comment on activities
Beginning–Advanced ESL
Verbs with Specified Prepositions
Verb + Specified Preposition List
Practice – multiple choice
Related practices: Verb + PP Prac 1, Verb + PP Prac 2, Verb + PP Prac 3
He talks about leaving.
He accused us of complaining.
He keeps on making trouble.
He puts off and worries about making deadlines.
Verb Complements—Participles (-ed / -ing )
Participle Modifiers 1: contrast the receiver vs. the source of the experience
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
The act was entertaining.
We were entertained.
Participle Modifiers 2: contrast an on-going process or a completed state
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
It is a roasting chicken. (still cooking!)
It is a roasted chicken. (done)
Participle w/ Prep: express reaction to circumstances or things
Intermediate–Advanced ESL
Participle Modifier & Preposition List
Coordinated Participial Modifiers
Practice 1 – complete the sentence
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Related Practices: Participle-Prep Prac, Gerund Objects, Verb + PP Prac 1, Verb + PP Prac 2, Verb + PP Prac 3
The children were interested in hearing his story.
The press was excited about the President's speech.
The President is pleased with the response.
The President is pleased with how the people responded.
He is interested in and excited about his new project.
That–Clause: package information into a content clause ("noun clause")
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Noun Phrase vs. That-Clause as Subject
"Object" vs. "Verb Complement" (term dispute)
Practice 1 – complete sentence
Practice 2– edit sentence
That we need more people in math and science is clear to all. (subject)
We know that we need more people in math and science. (complement or "object")
Statement Clauses: restate quoted speech within a clause (reported or indirect speech)
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Restating vs. Expressing Cognitive State
Backshifted vs. Not Backshifted
Practice 1 – complete sentence
She said, "It's raining here."
She said that it was raining there.
Said Synonyms: explore other words for reporting speech (Indirect Speech)
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
She said to me that it is nearby.
She told me that it is nearby.
She added that it is nearby.