Complex Transitive Verbs
There are five basic types of verbs: intransitive, linking, mono-transitive, di-transitive and complex-transitive verbs. In this lesson, we'll discuss the last.
What Are Complex Transitive Verbs?
A complex transitive verb (also called attributive ditransitive verb or resultative verb) is a verb that needs both a direct object and an object complement.
Complex transitive verbs look like they have two objects But, they act differently.
They called
The object in this sentence is 'him'. 'Robinson Crusoe is the object complement.
Object Complements
The object complements (also called object predicate or object predicative) are parts of the predicate that come after a direct object and complement the direct object by describing it. They can be:
I will make her
I will make her
I will make her
I chose her
I found her
Childhood experiences make us
I consider him
Put the turkey
Tip!
Only adverbs of place can be placed directly after the direct object of the transitive verb. You are not allowed to use adverbs of time or frequency or manner as an object complement. Check out the examples:
✗We found him
✗We understand our child
Common Complex Transitive Verbs
Common complex transitive verbs in English are:
- make
- call
- find
- turn into
- keep
- believe
- prove
- consider
- think
That mean comment made
I consider
Tip!
Many complex transitive verbs can also be used as transitive verbs without an object complement. Note that when they are transitive they have a different meaning than when they are complex transitive verbs.
I found
I found
Passive Voice
The direct object of complex-transitive verbs can be turned into passive voice. Note that it is the direct object and not the object complement that can turn the sentence into a passive one.
They made
A star was made him.')
Ditransitive vs. Complex Transitive Verbs
In order to know the difference between a ditransitive verb and a complex transitive verb, you need to pay attention to the noun phrases that occur after the transitive verbs:
I consider Jake
Answer this question: Do Jake and 'my best friend' refer to the same person?
If the noun phrases following the verb refer to the same person/thing, the main verb is a complex transitive verb.
I made Jake
Answer this question: Do Jake and 'dinner' refer to the same person?
If the noun phrases following the verb do not refer to the same person/thing, the main verb is ditransitive verb.
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