Lingua Inglesa VII –Direct Objects , Indirect Objects, Objects of preposition,

Prepositional Objects and Complements.

Objects and complements: major differences

A) Underline the complements and circle the objects. What type of verbs precede them?
1. No one heard ​the announcement​ on the radio.
2- The invaders plundered ​the town​.
3. The dog guarded his sleeping mistress and her sick child..
4- Allison told her a secret.
5- The President appointed ​her ​Attorney General.
6. His nephew searched closets, drawers, and cupboards for the will.
7. That tree is an oak.
8. Torches lit the tunnels in the gloomy mine shaft.
9 The mob threw rotten fruits and vegetables at the well-dressed duke.
10. Amy’s mother invited most of her friends and relatives to the party.
11. The frozen lake looked smooth.
Read first - Direct Objects, Indirect Objects and Objects of Prepositions
It is easy to confuse direct or indirect objects with objects of prepositions. A direct
object is ​never​ the noun or pronoun at the end of a prepositional phrase. An indirect
object is ​never​ preceded by the prepositions TO or FOR. An indirect object n ​ ever
comes after the direct object.
- I photographed the woman with the children.
→ woman = direct object;
→ ​with the children​ = prepositional phrase, ​children ​= object of a preposition

- We walked with the children through the zoo.

→ no direct object; ​with the children​ = prepositional phrase, ​children​ = object of a
preposition; ​through the zoo​ = prepositional phrase, zoo = object of a preposition

- Angela told the news to her friends. → ​new​s = direct object; ​to her friends​ =
prepositional phrase, ​friends​ = object of a preposition

- Angela told her friends the news. → news = direct object; her friends = indirect object

Now underline the DO, circle the IO and cross out the ´circumstances´ (objects of
prepositions)
1. Trading vessels brought ​people​ ​exotic spices​.
2. Our committee distributed ​fliers​ ​to our neighbours​.
3. Mr. Hinkle taught ​Harriet and Alberta​ ​a good lesson​.
4. Please bring ​the children and me​ ​some ice cream​.
5. The Constitution guarantees ​freedom​ ​to all​.
6. She sold ​her home​ ​for very little profit​.
7. When will Lena tell ​him​ ​the truth​?
8. Higher education gives ​men and women​ ​better opportunities​.
9. Lucille made ​herself​ ​some hot chocolate​.
10. The article had ​a message​ ​for cigarette smokers​.

Prepositional object
An additional type of Object is that which is mediated by a preposition – the
Prepositional Object (Oprep). Prepositional Objects can be passivized.
They ​looked after​ my cat​ X ​My cat was looked after​.
The preposition of ​Prepositional Objects​ cannot be replaced by another preposition
without changing the meaning; with a zero preposition, the clause would be
ungrammatical. ​Look at​ my cat X *Look my cat.
You must ​see to​ the baggage. X You must see the baggage.
The Prepositional Object may be conveyed by
A Prepositional Group. He almost ran ​over a rabbit​.
B a Nominal Clause I strongly object ​to what you are insinuating​.
Or C by a Non-finite ing clause. He believes ​in getting things done quickly

Indirect Objects as Recipient or Beneficiary

Which of the following clauses contains a constituent that functions as Recipient
Indirect Object​, and which contains a Beneficiary Indirect Object? Apply the
passivisation and prepositional tests to distinguish between the two:
(1) They did not give the leaders time to establish contact.
(2) Why should I write him his French essays?
(3) I am going to get myself another coffee.
(4) Can I get you girls anything?
(5) He is offering us a chance in a million.
(6) Can you give me a lift as far as the station?
(7) You owe me 7 Euros for that pair of tights from the Sock Shop.
(8) She has bought her boy-friend a butterfly pillow to use on long flights.

Read This ​- Locative complementation

A few transitive verbs such as PUT and PLACE REQUIRE a Locative complement (Put
the handkerchiefs in the drawer; Place the dish in the microwave). Without this
locative element, ​the clause is syntactically and semantically incomplete​ (*Put the
dish). It therefore has the status of a central clause element. A ​locative element is​ also
predicted by many intransitive verbs of motion such as come, go, fly, drive, which can
predict such meanings as Direction (flying south) and End-point, which marks an
end-point (go to Rome). It is also possible to use these verbs without a locative, as in
for example Are you coming? Don’t go. ​So , how can you explain the difference
between
He stayed ​calm​ and he stayed ​in bed​.
He drives me ​mad​ and He drives me ​to the airport
A bicycle will get you ​fit​ (adj) and A bicycle will get you ​to the station.​ (Adv)

*The first ones (the verbs) are copulars.

Complements
A complement of the object or Object Complement: is an adjective, noun, or group of
words acting as a noun that follows a direct object and describes or renames it. They
occur infrequently because they follow only such verbs as appoint, name, make, think
or call. To find an objective complement, find the verb and the direct object, and then
ask What?
- Ben called his dog Rover. → called dog what? → Rover = object complement
- The beautician made Marlene’s hair short and curly. → made hair what? → short and
curly = compound object complement

Underline the object complements (predicators of the object) in each of the following
sentences.
1. The neighborhood bully considered Martin ​a coward / sissy.
2. A card for Father’s Day makes my dad ​very happy.
3. That unpleasant gentleman called me ​a fool and a liar.
4. The most stubborn of men, Mr. Fenston thinks (synonym for consider) other people
obstinate​.
5. John’s uncle makes everyone ​welcome​.

Underline the subject complement

1. The girl in the green sweater is ​my sister​.
2. Bill’s favorite sports were ​hockey and football​.
3. Her voice on the telephone sounded ​muffled​.
4. After hours of hard work, Eugene’s muscles felt ​stiff and sore​.
5. Possible sources of protein might be ​eggs, meat, or certain kinds of beans.
6. Agatha remained ​an athlete​ in site of her illness.
7. The mayor’s policy is ​important​ to our city’s welfare. (To our… oblique object -
specifies the beneficiary).
8. Our sandwiches at the teach were ​gritty and inedible.
9. Joan grew(became) ​kinder and more understanding​ with time.
10. The winning composition will be ​the one with the most originality.
 Now, identify the different types of complement SC or OC .
Underline the sentences which contain transitive verbs
A crossword puzzle should be ​fairly difficult​.
Peace of mind and a clear conscience are ​everything​.
The boss appointed (complex transitive) Ms. Brady ​chairwoman of the committee.
(Complement of the object)
Two valuable metals have always been ​gold and silver.
The lieutenant’s criticism was ​harsh yet impersonal​.
Bob’s idea for the assembly seems ​the best​.
Such experiences make life ​worthwhile​ (refers to the object).
Joseph Audubon was an American naturalist and artist.
This item on the list appears unnecessary.
My best friends are you and she.
His close friends nominated him master of ceremonies.
The ointment made the wound less red and sore.
Because of his frightening experience, Steve’s face looked drawn and colorless.
Janice became successful overnight.
Tired of the same décor, she painted the doors to the dining room pink.

Knowing the difference between prepositions and prepositional phrases and particles

Type Example
Subject+Verb+particle I Sat ​down

p Subject+ Verb+prep. phrase Ran ​across the road

Subject+ Verb+adverb Ran ​across

pp Subject+Verb+part+prep.Phrase Set ​off ​on​ a journey

pa pp Subject+Verb+prep.adverb+prep.phrase Go ​across​ ​t​o the baker’s

(prv) O Transitive phrasal verb+object Find out​ the truth

pre_O Prepositional verb + object Looked ​at​ me

ep Phra V O Phrasal prepositional verb+ object Put up with him

How could you classify the following types of complementation

1. I went into the dining room

2. We went into the matter carefully

3. We must call in the police

4. The police will call in a car

5. I rushed out of the house

6. I rushed out

7. I drove out to my friends

8. They all trooped off

9. They all set out down the road

10. He flew across the Atlantic

11. We flew across in no time

12. How long can one do without water?

13. Has anyone rung up?

14. Has anyone rung me up?

15. Don’t co me down.