Verb Complementation -Unit 16
Ponce, Andrea G
Verb complementation
Verbs can be accompanied by other elements to complete their meanings.
Just like adjectives, transitive ( monotransitive or ditransitive) intransitive
or copular verbs. However, going a bit further into the classification of
verbs, we shall also distinguish between the common lexical verbs and the
so called Multi Word verbs which entail a set of verb structures that follow
these patterns : V+ADV PARTICLE / V +PREP / V+ADV+PREP. Thus,
depending on their pattern, the Verb structure receives the name of
phrasal verb, prepositional verb or phrasal prepositional verb,
respectively.
1. They catch up the whole day
2. The relationship depends on the word that follows
3. phrasal prep verbs are made out of items belonging to 3 different
word classes.
4. OTHERS: lexical verbs + other word classes: cut short, see fit, put
paid to, take pride in.
Distinction between PhV, Prep.Vs and Free combinations
● In Ph.Vs the meaning of the verbal construction cannot be deduced
from the combination of meanings of lexical verb and particle in
isolation. The whole construction entails a single meaning : Catch
on ( understand) Give up ( stop doing smth). In Prep.Vs, the meaning
of the verbal construction can derive from the meaning of Verb and
Prep in isolation and in general it is a matter of collocation.
● In PhVs. the particle is an adverb in Prep Vs the particle is a prep. (
see picture). Yet, either the particle or the prepositions are fixed and
essential to complete the meaning of the verbal construction. I
● In Free combinations each item has its own meaning and therefore
each of them can be replaced by another item belonging to the
same word category to change the meaning. For example: walk
by/across/to or run by/across/to.
● In Free Combinations, it is possible to insert a modifying adv ( right
or straight) in between the verb and adv.particle - WALK STRAIGHT
IN. In Ph.Vs this is unacceptable : *She finally turned right up
● Free combinations allow to place the adv before the verb in
constructions with subject-verb inversion : out come the sun // * up
blew the tank
BUT : consider the phV. in “down came the prices “ special cases in which the PhV
entails a metaphorical use of the adv particle.
Classification of multi word verbs:
Type 1 Intransitive Phrasal verbs: the PhV does not require any object.
He is playing around // the tank blew up.
Verb Complementation -Unit 16
Ponce, Andrea G
● usually informal
● the particle is predication adjunct
● usually, the particle cannot be separated from the V
Type 2 Transitive PhVs: The verbal construction requires DO. Yet, there are
some PhVs that may act either as transitive or intransitive without any
difference in meaning. :Find out if they are coming
For Transitive PhV
● the particle can either precede or follow the DO : Turn on the lights /
turn the lights on
● Check semantics: semantically different to Free combinations : She
took in her parents ( deceive) & She took in the box ( brought inside)
● with fully idiomatic PHVs the lexical verb and the particle cannot be
separated by anything, unless the DO is a pronoun. BUT CONSIDER:
hyperbolic expressions like “ I was crying my eyes out”
Prepositional verbs :
They are lexical verbs followed by a PREP ( + P.complement). The
preposition , or particle, in these verbs can by no means be omitted or
replaced since they are compulsory to complete the sense of the lexical
verb.
In the following example, see the sentence analysis :
They were looking at those pictures . SVPrep Obj .
Type 1 Prepositional Verbs ( Intransitive)
● The preposition is semantically or syntactically associated.We must
go into the problem - GO STRAIGHTFORWARD OR DEEPER, ANALYZE
IN DETAIL.
● The passive is possible
● What follows the verb is not a DO but a PrepObj. - compulsory.
● an intensifier may be inserted inbetween the V & Prep. ( not possible
in Free combinations) THEY LOOKED DISDAINFULLY AT THE
PICTURE.// * They examined disdainfully the pictures
● it is possible to isolate the whole PP. “ He called on his mother more
frequently than (on) his sister.
Type 2 Prepositional Verbs - Ditransitive.
Verb Complementation -Unit 16
Ponce, Andrea G
The PrepV is followed by a DO & Prepositional Object separated by the
preposition: He deprived the peasants of their lands/ they thanked us for the
present . S+V+DO+PrepObj
● In passive constructions, the DO becomes the subject, not the Prep
Obj.
2 subtypes :
1. The OD is part of an idiomatic expression.: take advantage of, make
a mess of, pay attention to, take care of, make allowance for :
● this subtype admits the regular passive construction . in
which the OD becomes the Subject in the passive
2. Also idiomatic expressions but which only admit the irregular
passive construction: catch sight of, keep pace with, give way to,
lose touch with, cross words with, give rise to. Last republicans riots
gave rise to reformations in the congress. Reformations in the
congress were given rise to after the last republicans riots.
Phrasal-prepositional verbs. The lexical verb+adv+prep is a single
structure.
Type 1 : MONOTRANSITIVE
TYPE 2: DITRANSITIVE.
OTHER multi-word combinations:
A. V+ adj : copular verb or complex transitive. _________________________
B. V+V ( NON FINITE FORM) : ____________________
C. A VARIANT OF PPVs . V+P+P: ________________________
The following table provides a visual summary of the contrast between
different multi-word verbs and free combination of each verb classification.
Verb Complementation -Unit 16
Ponce, Andrea G
Verb Complementation of Lexical Verbs
LEXICAL VERBS CAN FALL INTO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING categories:
1. Intransitive: Vs which do not require any sort of compulsory
complementation.
● Consider: ERGATIVE VERBS - verbs which act as both transitive or
intransitive.
● the verb can be adverbially modified - intensified- implying
another meaning _ She drinks heavily ( drinks alcohol)
2. Transitive :
a. monotransitive: complimented only by one element functioning
as the OD
b. ditransitive: Complemented by two elements which function as
OD & OI
c. complex transitive: Complemented by two elements with a
subject-predicate relationship. Thus, the combination of
syntactic elements can be: DO + OC / DO +AD.
3. Copular : be, appear, seem, resemble, look alike. These verbs
establish a relationship with the subject, thus the complementation acts
as Subject Complement ( current attributive or resulting attributive).
Verb Complementation -Unit 16
Ponce, Andrea G
Verb Complementation
Intransitive and Copular Verbs Complementation can be realized:
Adverbials -: adverbials can be added to any verb class to expand its
meaning in relation to space time, manner,etc-
● space adjuncts mostly with verb be, or also the copulas get or
keep : They kept out of trouble/ how did you get here? /I´m at
home/
● Sense verbs and seem or appear may take as if, as though as
complement
● Behave is complemented by manner adjunct.
Monotransitive complementation can be realized by:
1. NP:____________________
2. PP:
3. (NPs as Prep Objects)__ESTOS SON PREP VERBS__________________
4. TO-INF CL: ______________________
5. Wh- clause . Interrogative
6. That clause
a. Factual verbs ( public or private) + That clause in indicative
b. Suasive verbs + That cl. in subjunctive or PUTATIVE SHOULD
c. Emotive Verbs + That cl. in Indicative or PUTATIVE
d. Hypothesis Verbs + That cl. in past subjunctive:
7. -ing clause
Complex Transitive modification can be realized by : The OD is
mostly realized by Ns, NPs or Pronouns. The Object complement may
vary into
1. NP:
2. Pp with as:
3. adjective or adj ph.
4. to -inf clause
5. bare inf. clause
6. participial clause:
a. -ed participle cl.
b. -ing participle cl.
Verb Complementation -Unit 16
Ponce, Andrea G
or THE PATTERN CAN BE SVOA and have the A realized by adverbial or
adverbial relative cl.
Ditransitive Complementation can be realized by :
1. NPs either DO or IO
2. IO realized by PP
3. OD realized by PP
4. PRONOUNS for IO
5. To -inf cl.
6. That Clause - Nominal
7. Wh- interrogative Clause
The following table provides a summary of the different type of
complementation for each verb class.
