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You are here: Home / Lessons / Complements of verbs, nouns and adjectives

Complements of verbs, nouns and adjectives

June 23, 2011 - pdf

Sometimes we need to add something to a verb, noun or adjective to complete its meaning. For example, if somebody says I want, we expect to hear what he or she wants.

The words and expressions, which are thus used to complete the meaning of a noun, verb or adjective, are called complements.

  • I want a car.
  • He is interested in the supernatural.
  • We need to go.
  • I hate having to work on Sundays.
  • She dislikes such people.

Verbs can usually be followed by noun complements or –ing forms with no preposition. Nouns and adjectives normally need a preposition to join them to their complements.

Compare:

  • I hate soap operas. (No preposition between the verb and its complement.)
  • My hatred of soap operas …. (The noun hatred requires a preposition to join it to its complement.)

It is important to know what kind of complements can come after a particular word. For example, interested can be followed by in…ing form or by an infinitive. Suggest can be followed by a that-clause or an –ing form; it cannot be followed by an infinitive. Want can be followed by an –infinitive; it cannot be followed by an –ing form or a that-clause.

  • She suggested buying a new car. (NOT She suggested to buy a new car.)
  • I am interested in learning to sing.
  • He wants to go. (NOT He wants going.)
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