Unit 4

THE COMPLEMENTATION OF THE

VERB
I. Zero Complementation
1. Intransitive verbs are often used with complete
zero:
She ’s come.
They are dancing.
2. There may be time/ manner Adjunct after the verb:
They danced beautifully.
She came two hours later.

II. Intensive Complementation (Cs and A)

1. Cs
a, a noun phrase (basic or complex):
She is a teacher of Russian.
They’ll soon become engineers in construction.
b, an adj:
She is beautiful.
He is happy to see me again.
I. Zero Complementation
1. Intransitive verbs are often used with complete
zero:
She ’s come.
They are dancing.
2. There may be time/ manner Adjunct after the verb:
They danced beautifully.
She came two hours later.
3. There may also be place Adjunct which seems to be
closely associated with the verbs:
She comes from Leeds.
We’re living in London.
II. Intensive Complementation (Cs and A)
1. Cs
a, a noun phrase (basic or complex):
She is a teacher of Russian.
They’ll soon become engineers in construction.
b, an adj:
She is beautiful.
He is happy to see me again.
*Cadj:
- Pre.P: He’s good at English.
I’m fond of football.
- FCL: I’m sure that you are right.
I’m not certain whether he’ll come or not.
- NFCL: He is happy to see me again.
She’s busy making up all night.
c, FCL: My hope is that life will be better.
What I want is what he wants.
d, NFCL: My duty is to learn English.
All I did was hit him on the head.
My hobby is collecting stamps.
2, A
a, Adv: He’s here.
He’s upstairs.
b, Pre.P: He’s in the class.
He’s at the door.
c, CL: He’s nowhere to be seen.
They are exactly where they went the other day.
d, NP: My birthday is tomorrow.
2. Meanings of these adverbials:
- Place (most common):
He was here / in the car.
He is at the door.
- Time:
The meeting will be on next Monday.
He is in time.
- Manner/ Description:
The matter is of great importance.
I’m for/ against you.
- Purpose: This is for your exam.
- Cause: His failure is because of his being late.
III. Monotransitive Complementation (O)
1. O = a noun phrase
We bought this book.
On the way here we met a man with a very large ear.
2. O = a non-finite clause
She wanted to set the house on fire. (to V )
They enjoyed watching the program.
(V-ing part.clause)
3. O = a finite clause
I know that she didn’t go there with him. (that clause)
He didn’t remember whoever had met him first at the
station. (nominal relative clause)
IV. Ditransitive Complementation (Oi + Od)
1, Oi: NP
Od: NP
We didn’t give him any book.
2, Oi: NP
Od: FCL He gave me what he had.
They told us that they had won the match. (that clause).
She asked him why he hadn’t come on her birthday. (wh-
inter.cl.)
He didn’t tell her whether he would be able to go there
with her. (yes/no interr.)
You can accuse me of whatever I have done against
you. (nominal rel. cl)
3, Oi: FCL
Od: NP
He gave who he loved his book.
4, Oi: FCL
Od: FCL
He gave who he loved what he had.
5, Oi: NP
Od: NFCL
She told the criminal to lay down his gun. (to V)
6, Oi: FCL
Od: NFCL
He tells whoever came to his house to answer some
questions.
V. Complex transitive Complementation (Od + Co)
1, Od = Np1
Co = NP2
We consider him our younger brother.
2, Od = NP
Co = Adj. P/clause
We painted the door red.
3, Od = NP
Co = NFCL
We wanted him to finish his work in time. (to V)
Her story made them laugh all the time. (V-bare infinitive)
4, Od = NP
Co = FCl (nominal relative clause)
They painted the doors and windows whichever colour
they wanted.
VI. Complex transitive Complementation (Od + A)
1, Od = NP
A = Adv
I put my bag here.
2. Od = NP
A = Pre.P
She hung the pictures on the wall.
3. Od = NP
A = FCl
You can put it wherever you like.
4. Od = FCl
A = Pre.P
Don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do to day.

Ex: 219, 220, 221, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230,
231, 236, 239