Complex Transitive Verbs 

This lesson delves into the complexities of complex transitive verbs, exploring their roles in different grammatical structures and contexts. It offers comprehensive explanations, advanced exercises, and a quiz.

Complex Transitive Verbs in English Grammar

What Are Complex Transitive Verbs?

A complex transitive verb (also known as an attributive ditransitive verb or a resultative verb) is a verb that needs a direct object and an object complement.

Object Complements

The object complements (also known as the object predicate or the object predicative) are parts of the predicate that come after a direct object and complement the direct object by describing it. They can be:

Example

I will make her happy.

adjective

I will make her a movie star.

noun phrase

I will make her mine.

pronoun

She held her head high.

adverb

She put the keys on the table.

prepositional phrase

I found her sleeping on the couch.

a present participle clause

Childhood experiences make us who we are.

nominal relative clause

I consider him to be a gentleman.

to-infinitive clause

Tip!

The object of a complex transitive verbs can be a pronoun, noun phrase, or noun clause. The only difference between them is that noun clauses cannot take pronouns or nominal relative clauses as their object complement.

Example

She called what happened a disaster.

Noun clause + Noun phrase

She had what was blocking the door aside.

Noun clause + Adverb

ThumbnailPhoto

Warning!

Only adverbs of place can be used as object complement. You are not allowed to use adverbs of time or frequency or manner as an object complement. Check out the examples:

Example

✗We found him amusingly.

✗We understand our child always.

Common Complex Transitive Verbs

Common complex transitive verbs in English are:

make

call

find

turn into

keep

believe

prove

consider

think

Example

That mean comment made her sad.

I consider you my best friend.

Tip!

Many complex transitive verbs can also be used as transitive verbs without an object complement. However, the meaning of the verb typically differs in transitive usage compared to the complex transitive usage.

Example

I found Tina.

I found Tina fascinating.

Passive Voice

Sentences with complex-transitive verbs can be transformed into the passive voice. In doing so, the direct object becomes the subject of the passive sentence while the object complement remains in its original position.

Example

They made him a star.

He was made a star. (Not 'A star was made him.')

Ditransitive vs. Complex Transitive Verbs

When the object complement of a complex transitive verb is a noun phrase, the difference between ditransitive verbs and complex transitive verbs can become confusing. In order to distinguish between the two types of verbs, pay attention to the noun phrase that comes after the object. If the noun phrases following the object refer to the same person/thing as the object, the main verb is a complex transitive verb. If the noun phrase following the object does not refer to the same person/thing, the main verb is ditransitive verb.

Example

I consider Jake my best friend.

Answer this question: Do Jake and 'my best friend' refer to the same person?

I made Jake a sandwich.

Answer this question: Do Jake and 'dinner' refer to the same person/thing?

Review

Complex transitive verbs, such as think, consider, call, make, find, etc. take a direct object and an object complement as their complements. The object can be a pronoun, noun phrase, or noun clause, while the object complement can be:

Adjective (Phrases)

Noun (Phrases)

Pronouns

Adverbs (Phrases)

Prepositional Phrases

Participles

Nominal Relative Clauses

To-Infinitive Clauses

Quiz:


1.

Which of the following sentences contains a complex transitive verb?

A

She considers the task difficult.

B

She told him a secret.

C

They gave him a book.

D

I found my purse.

2.

Sort the words to form a sentence using a present participle as the object complement.

him
she
a
library
the
found
in
.
book
reading
3.

Match the sentences with their corresponding object complements.

He placed the keys beside the lamp.
He called his idea a success.
She declared the prize hers.
She made him angry.
I find what you said to be very interesting.
Noun phrase
Pronoun
To-infinitive clause
Prepositional phrase
Adjective
4.

Which of the following is the correct passive voice form of the sentence "They elected her president."?

A

President was elected her.

B

She was elected president.

C

Her was elected president.

D

She was elected by president.

5.

Decide whether each sentence uses a complex transitive verb or a ditransitive verb.

SentenceVerb type

I sent my friend a postcard.

We elected her class president.

She baked her brother a cake.

The coach considered Alex a champion.

They named the cat Pepper.

Ditransitive
Complex Transitive

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