Julian Ringler, Denise Vettori Language Awareness III_C WS22/23

Transitivity, Objects & Complements:

Task 1: With a tick (✓) verify the statements that are considered correct

An intransitive verb is one that exerts its action on an object.

A transitive verb is one that exerts its action on an object.

An intransitive verb will make sense without an object.

A transitive verb will make sense without an object.

Verbs may be both transitive and intransitive at the same time depending on the
context.

Task 2: State whether the verbs are transitive (t) or intransitive (i) in this context.

1. He advised her to consult a lawyer.

2. Let’s invite her brother as well.
3. She waited for more than two hours.
4. She received his present in the afternoon.
5. I am going to send him some money.
6. They have changed a lot since they got divorced.
7. In the middle of the night, the girl woke up.
8. The mailman woke me.
9. Let’s discuss our vacation plans.
10. I heard a strange noise in the night.

Task 3: With a tick (✓) verify the statements that are considered correct
Ditransitive verbs ...
… have two verbs in addition to the subject.

... have two objects in addition to the subject.

… can have a recipient

… can have an addressee

… have a direct object

Julian Ringler, Denise Vettori Language Awareness III_C WS22/23

Task 4: List 3 examples of verbs which are in most cases ditransitive.

Task 5: Decide whether the verbs are monotransitive or ditransitive in the

following sentences. Put an “M” for monotransitive and a “D” for ditransitive next
to the sentence.

1. Simon answered me very aggressively.

2. I ordered Lara the shoes she wanted.
3. Lisa told a funny joke.
4. I sent my brother a letter.
5. The lecturer showed the students the text.

Task 6: Decide whether the sentence is a subject complement or object

complement and mark them correctly.

1. The class elected Martin as their monitor.

2. Jack is the captain.
3. We should keep our surroundings clean.
4. Our visit made most people happy.
5. This class is interesting.

Task 7: Mark the complement and identify what type of complement it is.

1. My uniform is old and dirty.

2. She was so happy that he finally proposed.

3. The teacher´s remark made me angry.

4. We all wondered why he left.

5. Bob named the baby Katherine.

6. Let´s go to bed early.

7. Tom asked them to leave.

Julian Ringler, Denise Vettori Language Awareness III_C WS22/23

8. Juliette is the winner.

Task 8: Decide if the statements next to the sentences are true or false. Put a tick
(✓) next to the sentence if it is true

1. She called her brother a liar. The marked part is an object complement.
2. She called the man Yesterday. The marked part is an object complement.
3. English is difficult. The marked part is a subject complement.
4. Practice makes math easy. The marked part is a subject complement.
5. The kid grabbed the toy. The marked part is a direct object.
6. The man was running to catch the train. This sentence has no complement.
7. The man is worried about their financial situation. This sentence has an adjective
complement.
Julian Ringler, Denise Vettori Language Awareness III_C WS22/23

KEY

Task 1: With a tick (✓) verify the statements that are considered correct

An intransitive verb is one that exerts its action on an object.

A transitive verb is one that exerts its action on an object. ✓

An intransitive verb will make sense without an object. ✓

A transitive verb will make sense without an object.

Verbs may be both transitive and intransitive at the same time ✓

depending on the context.

Task 2: State whether the verbs are transitive or intransitive in this context.

1. He advised her to consult a lawyer. (Transitive)

2. Let’s invite her brother as well. (Transitive)
3. She waited for more than two hours. (Intransitive)
4. She received his present in the afternoon. (Transitive)
5. I am going to send him some money. (Transitive)
6. They have changed a lot since they got divorced. (Intransitive)
7. In the middle of the night the girl woke up. (Intransitive)
8. The mailman woke me. (Transitive)
9. Let’s discuss our vacation plans. (Transitive)
10. I heard a strange noise in the night. (Transitive)

Task 3: With a tick (✓) verify the statements that are considered correct
Ditransitive verbs ...
…have two verbs in addition to the subject.

... have two objects in addition to the subject. ✓

… can have a recipient ✓

… can have an addressee ✓

… have a direct object ✓

Task 4: List 3 examples of verbs which are in most cases ditransitive
Julian Ringler, Denise Vettori Language Awareness III_C WS22/23

1. bring
2. show
3. tell

(Other Examples: give, buy, lend, order (meal), throw, pass… verbs that show
motion/action)

Task 5: Monotransitive or Distransitive

1. Simon answered me very aggressively. M

2. I ordered Lara the shoes she wanted. D
3. Lisa told a funny joke. M
4. I sent my brother a letter. D
5. The lecturer showed the students the text. D

Task 6: Decide whether the sentence is a subject or object complement and mark
them correctly.

1. The class elected Martin as their monitor.

2. Jack is the captain.
3. We should keep our surroundings clean.
4. Our visit made most people happy.
5. This class is interesting.

Task 7: Mark the complement and identify what type of complement it is.

1. My uniform is old and dirty.

Subject complement

2. She was so happy that he finally proposed.

adjective complement

3. The teacher´s remark made me angry.

Object complement

4. We all wondered why he left.

verb complement
Julian Ringler, Denise Vettori Language Awareness III_C WS22/23

5. Bob named the baby Katherine.

object complement

6. Let´s go to bed early.

2x adverb complement

7. Tom asked them to leave.

verb complement.

8. Juliette is the winner.

subject complement

Task 8: Decide if the statements next to the sentences are true or false. Put a tick
(✓) next to the sentence if it is true

1. She called her brother a liar. The marked part is an object complement. ✓
2. She called the man yesterday. The marked part is an object complement.
3. English is difficult. The marked part is a subject complement. ✓
4. Practice makes math easy. The marked part is a subject complement.
5. The kid grabbed the toy. The marked part is a direct object. ✓
6. The man was running to catch the train. This sentence has no complement.
7. The man is worried about their financial situation. This sentence has an adjective
complement. ✓