Verb Patterns | Part II

Subject + verb + object + complements

Some transitive verbs are followed by an object and an object complement.

• The people wanted to crown Caesar king.
• They named the baby Christopher.
• You may call it what you will.
• They chose him their leader.

Note that in the examples given above, the complement of the object is a noun or noun equivalent. The preposition as or for is sometimes used with verbs elect and chose, but not with the others.

• Whom will they chose for their leader?
• I wonder whom they will elect as President.

Consider the examples given below.

• The noise drove him mad.
• He painted the car red.
• We found the house empty.
• We consider the matter very important.

Here the complement of the object is an adjective. Sometimes to be is used before the complement.

• I consider the plan (to be) unwise.
• Most people supposed him (to be) innocent.
• I knew him to be conscientious.
• They have proved themselves (to be) worthy of our trust.

Subject + be + complement

The verb be is followed by a subject complement. The subject complement may be a noun, an adjective, an adverb or an adverbial phrase.

• He is an engineer.
• They are our friends.
• The play was interesting.
• He is in the next room.
• God is everywhere.

Some intransitive verbs are also followed by subject complements.

• She remained a spinster.
• The crowd turned violent.
• That sounds funny.
• I felt miserable.
• He went abroad.

Sections in this article

Verb patterns
Verb patterns - part 3
Verb patterns - part 4
Verb patterns - part 5