Verbs As Complements

Verbs As Complements Exercises

Verbs As Complements

Verbs as complements refer to the use of verbs to complete the meaning of certain sentences. In English, there are specific sentence structures where a verb is used as a complement to provide additional information or clarify the action being performed. Understanding how verbs function as complements is important for both effective communication in English and success in the TOEFL exam.

Here are some common ways in which verbs are used as complements:

1- Verb + Object Complement:

In this structure, a verb is followed by an object complement that describes or renames the object of the sentence. For example: “They elected him president.” Here, “elected” is the verb, and “president” is the object complement that renames “him.”

2- Verb + Adjective Complement:

This structure involves a verb followed by an adjective complement that describes or modifies the subject of the sentence. For example: “She became happy.” Here, “became” is the verb, and “happy” is the adjective complement that describes “she.”

3- Verb + Noun Complement:

In this structure, a verb is followed by a noun complement that renames or identifies the subject of the sentence. For example: “He is a doctor.” Here, “is” is the verb, and “doctor” is the noun complement that renames “he.”

4- Verb + Infinitive Complement:

This structure consists of a verb followed by an infinitive complement that provides additional information about the action or purpose. For example: “They want to learn.” Here, “want” is the verb, and “to learn” is the infinitive complement that expresses their intention.

5- Verb + Gerund Complement:

In this structure, a verb is followed by a gerund complement that functions as the object of the sentence. For example: “I enjoy swimming.” Here, “enjoy” is the verb, and “swimming” is the gerund complement that acts as the object.

6- Verb + Prepositional Phrase Complement:

This structure involves a verb followed by a prepositional phrase complement that provides additional information or details about the action. For example: “They apologized for their mistake.” Here, “apologized” is the verb, and “for their mistake” is the prepositional phrase complement.

It’s important to understand and recognize these different structures involving verbs as complements in order to construct grammatically correct sentences and convey your intended meaning. In the TOEFL exam, you may encounter sentences that require you to identify and manipulate verbs as complements.

Remember to practice using these structures and pay attention to the relationship between the verb and the complement. By familiarizing yourself with these patterns, you can enhance your understanding of English sentence structures and improve your overall language proficiency.

Verbs As Complements

Creating practice questions about verbs as complements will help reinforce understanding of how verbs can be used to complete the meaning of sentences in various structures. These exercises are tailored for TOEFL students to practice and improve their grammatical skills.

Exercise -1: Verb + Object Complement

We named our daughter (Emma/To be) Emma.

Correct Answer: Emma

“Emma” is the object complement that renames “our daughter.”

The committee appointed her (chairwoman/to chair).

Correct Answer: chairwoman

“Chairwoman” is the object complement that renames “her.”

Exercise -2: Verb + Adjective Complement

The weather turned (very cold/to cool) very cold.

Correct Answer: very cold

“Very cold” is the adjective complement that describes “The weather.”

She seems (upset/to be upset) upset.

Correct Answer: upset

“Upset” is the adjective complement that describes “She.”

Exercise -3: Verb + Noun Complement

He became (an engineer/to engineer) an engineer.

Correct Answer: an engineer

“An engineer” is the noun complement that renames “He.”

This smells like (a trap/to trap) a trap.

Correct Answer: a trap

“A trap” is the noun complement that identifies the subject’s condition.

Exercise -4: Verb + Infinitive Complement

I want (to sleep/sleeping) to sleep.

Correct Answer: to sleep

“To sleep” is the infinitive complement that provides additional information about “I want.”

They helped us (to find/finding) to find our way.

Correct Answer: to find

“To find” is the infinitive complement that explains the purpose of “They helped us.”

Exercise -5: Verb + Gerund Complement

We discussed (moving/to move) moving to a new city.

Correct Answer: moving

“Moving” is the gerund complement acting as the object of “We discussed.”

She enjoys (reading/to read) reading in her free time.

Correct Answer: reading

“Reading” is the gerund complement that acts as the object of “She enjoys.”

Exercise -6: Verb + Prepositional Phrase Complement

He insisted on (paying/for paying) paying for dinner.

Correct Answer: paying

“Paying” within the prepositional phrase “on paying for dinner” provides additional details about “He insisted.”

They apologized for (being late/to be late) being late.

Correct Answer: being late

“Being late” within the prepositional phrase “for being late” offers clarity on “They apologized.”

These exercises are designed to help students recognize and apply different structures involving verbs as complements. By practicing these examples, TOEFL students can improve their understanding of how verbs complete sentences, a skill that is invaluable for achieving grammatical accuracy and clarity in English communication.