Unit 23: Verbal Complements
Ngữ pháp Full lesson reference and interactive practice covering verb + -ing forms, infinitives, object patterns, meaning changes, preparatory it, and the subjunctive.
📘 Giải thích tiếng Việt
Động từ + V-ing
Nhiều động từ chỉ đi với danh động từ: admit, avoid, consider, deny, enjoy, keep (on), mind, miss, postpone, risk, suggest, can't help… Ví dụ: Sue admitted feeling upset. Nhiều động từ đi kèm giới từ + V-ing: insist on going, look forward to meeting.
Động từ + to-infinitive (có/không có tân ngữ)
Nhóm chỉ đi với to-V: afford, agree, decide, hope, manage, offer, refuse, seem, tend, undertake, volunteer, yearn… Nhóm cần tân ngữ + to-V: advise, allow, encourage, force, persuade, remind, warn… (advised me to tell the truth).
Nguyên mẫu không "to" (bare infinitive)
Sau make, let, help và động từ tri giác see, hear, feel, watch, notice + tân ngữ, ta dùng V trần: The teacher let the class leave. Nhưng ở thể bị động, make lại dùng to-V: I was made to apologise. So sánh saw her cross (thấy trọn vẹn) với saw her crossing (thấy một phần).
Đổi hình thức là đổi nghĩa
Điểm C1–C2 quan trọng: remember/forget/regret + to-V (việc sắp/phải làm) khác + V-ing (nhớ/tiếc việc đã xảy ra). stop to do (dừng lại để làm) khác stop doing (ngừng hẳn). try to do (cố gắng) khác try doing (thử nghiệm). mean to (định) khác mean -ing (kéo theo). go on to do (chuyển sang) khác go on doing (tiếp tục).
Preparatory "it" và thức giả định (subjunctive)
Với find, think, consider ta thường chèn it làm tân ngữ giả: I find it strange that…, consider it my duty to…. Subjunctive (V nguyên mẫu, không chia) dùng trong mệnh đề that sau từ chỉ đề nghị/cần thiết: The doctor suggested that Sam take time off. / It's essential that I be informed. Có thể thay bằng should.
Theory / Reference
Verb + -ing form
Sue admitted feeling rather upset.
| admit adore advocate appreciate avoid can't help | carry on compare consider contemplate delay deny | detest discuss dislike end up endure enjoy | escape face fancy feel like finish foresee | give up include involve justify keep (on) mention | mind miss postpone practise put off recommend | resent resist risk suggest take up |
- Many verbs are followed by a preposition + -ing form.
Damien insisted on going to the party. / I'm looking forward to meeting your brother. - The verbs feel, hear, see, notice, overhear and watch can also be followed by an object + the bare infinitive without to.
I saw Martha cross the road. (= I saw all of it.) / I saw Martha crossing the road. (= I saw part of it.) - When the verb and the gerund refer to different subjects, we can use an object pronoun or a possessive pronoun to make it clear.
Do you mind me/my going out with your sister?
Verb + object + -ing form
They caught him taking money from the till.
catch, feel, find, glimpse, hear, notice, observe, overhear, see, smell, watch
Verb + full infinitive
Can you afford to buy that car?
| afford agree aim appear apply arrange aspire | attempt beg cease choose claim come dare | decide demand deserve desire expect fail happen | help hesitate hope learn manage need neglect | offer opt plan prepare pretend promise refuse | resolve rush seem strive tend undertake volunteer | vote wait want work yearn |
Verb + object + full infinitive
My sister advised me to tell Jim the truth.
| advise allow ask assign assist authorise beg | cause challenge choose command compel convince dare | decide defy desire employ enable encourage expect | force help hire inspire instruct intend invite | lead motivate need nominate order persuade pick | prepare prompt qualify raise recommend recruit remind | request select send signal teach tell tempt trust want warn |
Verb + object + bare infinitive
The teacher let the class leave early.
help, let, make, feel, hear, notice, overhear, see, watch
- In passive forms, make is followed by the full infinitive.
Mum made me apologise to my sister. / I was made to apologise to my sister. - The verbs dare and need can be used as modals, in which case they are followed by the bare infinitive.
I don't dare tell Simone what happened. / You needn't invite Ralph if you'd rather not.
Verb + (object) + infinitive or -ing form with little or no change in meaning
begin, bother, can't bear/stand, continue, hate, intend, love, prefer, start
Verb + (object) + infinitive or -ing form with a change in meaning
| Verb | Verb (+ object) + infinitive | Verb (+ object) + -ing |
|---|---|---|
| consider | believe; think something is/was I've always considered him to be a fine friend. | think about We're considering getting engaged. |
| forget | not do something you were planning to do I forgot to ask Brian about the wedding. | not be able to remember a past event I'll never forget asking Helen to marry me. |
| go on | stop one action or subject of discussion and start another We chatted about the football for a while and then he went on to tell me about his divorce. | continue How can you go on living with Michael? |
| like | be in the habit of doing; think it right to do I like to eat with my family once a week. | enjoy I don't like being spoken to in such a rude manner. |
| mean | intend I'm sure Rania didn't mean to upset you. | involve Being in love means having to say you're sorry. |
| regret | be sorry about giving someone bad news (used with verbs such as say, tell, inform, etc.) We regret to inform you that the hotel is full. | be sorry about what (has) happened Do you regret splitting up with Alec? |
| remember | do something you are/were planning to do Did you remember to order the flowers? | think of a past event I don't remember asking for your opinion. |
| stop | interrupt an action to do something else Why didn't you stop to think before you acted? | stop an action Will you please just stop telling me what to do? |
| try | make an effort to achieve something Try not to forget her birthday. | do something as an experiment to solve a problem You could try buying her some flowers. |
Preparatory it
With some verbs, such as find, think or consider, it is often possible to use it as a preparatory object.
I consider it incredible that James and Alice are still together.
Subjunctive
The subjunctive is a verb form which does not take -s in the third person singular.
It is possible to use the subjunctive in that clauses after words suggesting that something is necessary or preferable.
The doctor suggested that Sam take some time off work. / It is very important that Greg not know about this.
The subjunctive forms for be are I be, you be, etc.
It's absolutely essential that I be informed as soon as the President arrives.
We can also use should.
The doctor suggested that Sam (should) take some time off work.
Select the correct word or phrase.
Select the correct word or phrase.
1. I don't know how you could even contemplate Vicky to go on holiday with her friends.
2. The interviewer somehow managed the politician to admit his mistake.
3. Did you mention to book the restaurant when you saw Angie?
4. We missed our flight so we ended up on the floor in the airport.
5. The woman demanded who was in charge.
6. I can't help that I've forgotten something.
7. The board of directors opted to the bank for a loan.
8. What happened when Sandra applied the army?
9. We don't foresee to employ anyone to replace Amy when she's on maternity leave.
10. I really wasn't expecting into Ken in Birmingham.
11. I'm beginning to wish I hadn't volunteered Sandra move house.
12. Please don't hesitate me if you require further information.
Select the correct verb form.
Select the correct verb form.
Kathy: Erm ... hello. You must be Preston.
Preston: Yes, yes, I am. Kathy, is it? I have to admit a bit nervous. This is the first blind date I've been on.
Kathy: Me too. I almost didn't come you, actually. But then you just have to risk someone you don't like, don't you?
Preston: Er... yeah. Do you mind by the window?
Kathy: No, that's fine. It was my sister, Jane, who suggested you.
Preston: Right. Did she happen you anything about me?
Kathy: She said you work together, but she refused anything else.
Preston: Oh. Well, I've been looking forward you. Erm ... do you feel like ? I'm starving.
Kathy: Okay. I think I fancy seafood. What about you?
Preston: Seafood sounds good. Can you see our waiter?
Complete using the verbs in the box in the correct form.
Complete using the verbs in the box in the correct form.
Verb box: allow, ask, buy, commit, promote, prove, put, recycle, rob, wait
1. How can you justify so many lives at risk like that?
2. Everyone voted Mr Greenwood to join the golf club.
3. The government have undertaken more than a dozen helicopters from the US military.
4. People who have been accused serious crimes are usually sent to prison to await their trial.
5. The man claimed by two young men, but something about him made me suspicious.
6. We can't afford for everyone to agree or we'll miss this opportunity.
7. We are trying to encourage all local people more of their rubbish.
8. Why do you keep me about what Susan said?
9. I challenge you those accusations!
10. The assistant manager hoped before too long.
One verb in each sentence is in the wrong form. Underline the incorrect form and rewrite it correctly.
One verb in each sentence is in the wrong form. Underline the incorrect form and rewrite it correctly.
1. You deserve to be given a medal for all the work you did when you volunteered to help Alan finish to clear out the attic.
2. The company has resolved to improve performance in the coming months and plans resisting being forced to close any offices.
3. Being married involves to make a lot of compromises and being prepared to learn to live with other people's faults.
4. Alec often appears to want to join in discussions but he needs to avoid to be so shy or he'll never manage to get his opinion across.
5. Health experts recommend taking up a sport, so consider joining a team or, if you can't face to exercise in front of so many people, plan to go running with a friend.
6. I detest being kept waiting, and it tends happening at this hotel more than any other, so stop giving me excuses.
7. What prompted me applying to join the police force was that my parents expected me to find a job which promised to offer security and good prospects.
8. Many young people yearn to get involved in making films, but few are prepared to endure to work for years to perfect their acting skills.
9. I dislike having to pretend getting on with someone when they don't attempt to get to know me.
10. If you are considering applying to become a student at Central University, we recommend you to contact the secretary, who needs knowing which course you are planning to follow.
Complete each sentence with a pair of verbs from the box in the correct form.
Complete each sentence with a pair of verbs from the box in the correct form.
1. I couldn't see clearly, but I thought I Lily past the window.
2. Did you Nigel that he was thinking of moving to France?
3. During the experiment, we the animals with each other.
4. Did you turn the oven off? I can something .
5. I looked everywhere for Johnnie and I finally him under the stairs.
6. We the burglar out of the window and then called the police.
7. I couldn't help Simon to get his car started, so I went to help him.
8. I thought I somebody me, but when I turned round there was no one there.
9. Patrick himself he had never accepted the job in the first place.
10. I Vanessa towards me, so I quickly dived into the nearest shop to avoid her.
Underline twelve verbs in the wrong form and rewrite them correctly.
Underline twelve verbs in the wrong form and rewrite them correctly.
Divorce
Legal and social changes in Britain have led to many more people choosing getting divorced over the last three decades. The Divorce Reform Act (1969) let people to get divorced far more easily and, despite promising staying together for life, over 160,000 couples ended up to get divorced each year during the late 80s and early 90s, compared to just over 27,000 in 1961. Towards the end of the twentieth century, divorce rates tended falling, then started to rise again over the first years of the twenty-first century.
When asked what motivated them getting divorced, people usually mention things like not to feel that the relationship was developing, or their partner making them to feel inadequate. Whatever causes people separating, it is often the children who have to learn living in a different family setting. They often resent to have to change their lives because the adults involved can't manage resolving their difficulties. Divorce has got easier legally, but it hasn't got any easier emotionally.
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12.
Complete by writing the verb in bold in the correct form in each pair of sentences.
Complete by writing the verb in bold in the correct form in each pair of sentences.
1. I wish you'd stop us you're going to get an A because it's not certain, you know. tell
2. Miss Edwards was explaining some grammar to us but she had to stop a couple of the girls to be quiet. tell
3. When you're in town, remember some snacks for this evening. get
4. I remember out of the car and I think I saw the motorbike, but everything after that is a blank. get
5. We regret that flight RA 721 has been cancelled. announce
6. I regret that I was going to resign because I changed my mind soon after. announce
7. The lecturer ignored the interruption and went on as if nothing had happened. talk
8. The lecturer described the social conditions in the 1930s and went on about the effect of the war. talk
9. You're going to be angry, but I forgot to the bank to pay that cheque in. go
10. Don't tell me you've forgotten to the Blue Mountains! It was only last summer. go
11. The air conditioner wasn't working so I tried the batteries in the remote control, but it didn't make any difference. change
12. There must be something wrong with the remote control because every time I try channels, nothing happens. change
13. We like the car serviced at least once a year, just to be on the safe side. have
14. No, don't! I really don't like my feet tickled like that! have
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given.
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given.
1. After working for six hours, I finally managed to finish the report. in
I finally the report after working for six hours.
2. Oscar is qualified to teach Russian because he has a degree in it. to
Oscar's Russian degree the language.
3. I couldn't believe it when they suggested that I should speak to the head teacher about the problem. nominated
I couldn't believe it when they to the head teacher about the problem.
4. I shared a bedroom with my brothers when I was young and I quite liked it. like
I used a bedroom with my brothers when I was young.
5. Tim resolved that he would stay out of trouble when he left prison. to
On being released from prison, Tim resolved trouble again.
6. Are you sorry that you invited Liam to join us on the trip? regret
Do Liam to join us on the trip?
7. The arrangement is that you are staying with Mr and Mrs Andrews. for
We with Mr and Mrs Andrews.
8. What was your inspiration for creating such a fantastic character in your new novel? to
What such a fantastic character in your new novel?
Choose the correct answer.
Choose the correct answer.
1. When she suggested __________ over the weekend, I was so angry that I threatened to quit.
2. The manager requested that all staff __________ present at the meeting.
3. Didn't you __________ that Martha wasn't with Ashley?
4. It's very important that we __________ as soon as there's any change in the patient's condition.
5. I feel __________ to inform the committee that a number of members are very unhappy with the decision.
6. After what the manager said this morning, I didn't __________ him about the problems I've been having.
7. Don't you __________ that Veronica and George are still together?
8. You shouldn't have let Kerry __________ without apologising for what you said to her.
9. It was a bit embarrassing when the teacher caught us __________ during the test.
10. It's not fair to make the dog __________ in the car on such a hot day.
Write one word in each gap.
Write one word in each gap.
Speed Dating
'You've been trying find that certain someone for far too long, Debbie,' they said. 'Can't you feel getting older? Don't you it strange to be 25 and not married yet?' they asked. They recommended to check out something called 'speed dating'. Two days later I found sitting in a club in central London with 100 other people with name badges on.
The idea with speed dating is that you have three minutes to chat, then a bell rings and you change partners. You keep going like that all night, making a note of anybody you like. So, I sat there as 50 young men passed before my eyes. I didn't tell them that I worked for a young women's magazine, so I pretended to be a hairdresser. Everyone obviously found hard to know what to say - well, what do you say to sell yourself in three minutes? The Kevins, Jonathans and Michaels came and went, and I to feel like I couldn't to hear another potted biography. Speed dating might work for some, but I think I'll stick to traditional methods to find Mr Right.
