Verbs, objects and complements

Question 1

Some verbs can be transitive or intransitive.
Close, rip, begin, bend, break, burn, change, decrease, drop, finish, increase, move, open, shut, start, vary, wake.

Answer 1

She closed the door. transitive
The door closed. intransitive

I’ve ripped my shirt. Transitive.
My shirt was ripped. Intransitive.

Question 2

Some transitive verbs don’t need an object, when the meaning is clear from the context.
Sing, play, answer, ask, change, cook, dance, drink, drive, eat, fail, park, phone, read, smoke, study, wash, wash up, wave, win, write.

Answer 2

She often sings (the song) in the shower.
She plays (the sax) beatfully.

Question 3

Some verbs need a complement to detail the meaning.
Originate.
Others, don’t need a complement.
Pause.

Answer 3

The disease originated in Britain. need the complement.
He paused for a few moments.
He paused.

Question 4

Some verbs are followed by a preposition:
deal with, belong to, adhere to, aspire to, culminate in/with, detract from, differentiate between, incline to/towards, specialize in.

Answer 4

We had to deal with hundreds of complaints.
I’m sure the blue car belongs to Murad.

Question 5

Some verbs are followed by an object +prepositional:
Associate …with, put…on, attribute…on, base…on/upon, equate…with, inflict…on, mistake…for, regard…as/with, remind…of.

Answer 5

I always associate pizza with Italy.
She put the report on the floor.

Question 6

Some verbs are followed by an object+adjective: Very formal way.
Hold, pronounce, assume, believe, consider, declare, find, judge, prove, report, think.
Less formal, add to be after the object or use that-clause.

Answer 6

The people will hold the government responsible.
Conti pronounced herself fit for the match.

Other economists believe the opposite true. Formal
Other economists believe the opposite to be true.
Other economists believe that the opposite is true.