Verbs Patterns – general
1. Verb types
Verbs can be transitive or intransitive or both. Some words can have two objects and some take a compliment.
2. Transitive verbs
Transitive verbs require an object. Some words have just a direct object while other verbs have both a direct and an indirect object. These verbs can also take a prepositional phrase.
Study the following table:
Verb | indirect object | direct object | Prepositional phrase |
They received | ----- | a letter | on Monday. |
We gave | them | a book | for Christmas. |
He smokes |
| (cigarettes) | after dinner. |
3. Verbs with two objects
The indirect object usually comes before the direct. However, it is possible to put the direct object first and then connect the indirect object with a preposition (usually to or for).
Verb | Indirect object | Direct object |
She bought I gave They sent | Frank her me | a book. flowers. an email. |
Verb | Direct object | Preposition | Indirect object |
We wrote The bank lent I showed Ann made She chose He ordered | a letter money my new flat a cake a dress a pizza | to to to for for for | my friend. my brother. Jack. her sister. her daughter. the kids. |
4. Intransitive verbs
Intransitive verbs cannot take an object. They also cannot use the passive form.
Some common intransitive verbs:
appear / burn / come / fall / go / happen / lie / matter / open / sleep / swim
The children are sleeping.
We swim every day.
Some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive:
The film continued after the break. (intransitive)
Joe continued the story. (transitive)
Intransitive verbs can take a prepositional phrase or an adverbial phrase that completes their meaning.
We waited for the bus for 15 minutes.
The door closed with a huge bang.
5. Linking verbs + complements
Some verbs are followed by a complement, not an object. These verbs are called linking verbs.
Linking verbs describe the subject and can be followed by an adjective or noun phrase.
Common linking verbs:
be / become / appear / grow / turn / seem / remain / look / sound / stay / keep / get / go
Linking Verb | Adjective / adjective + noun |
He seemed They became The milk turned The food tastes William is | ill. concerned. sour. delicious. an accomplished writer. |
Appear and seem can be followed by a ‘to be + adjective’.
Ann seems to be late again.
