[MUSIC] Verbs can be characterized by their meaning. Different types of verbs describe different kinds of experiences. Action verbs describe events. Reporting verbs report speech and ideas. And linking verbs show how things are related. Each type of verb allows and requires different types of subjects and complements. Complementation is concerned with elements which follow the verb and the clause, and which are necessary to complete the meaning of the verb in some way. Some verbs are complete in themselves and require no complementation. They are used as intransitive verbs. Others require single complementation or dual complementation, and are used as transitive verbs. For example, the temperature increased. The verb is intransitive. No complement is needed, and the verb is complete in itself. Another example. The researcher investigated the effectiveness of a new medication for lowering blood pressure. The verb is transitive. Single complementation is needed. The speaker must say what was investigated. Another example, we put a soil sample into the funnel. The verb is transitive. But, in this case, dual complementation is needed. The speaker must say what was put and where it was put. These are the examples of single complementation. Figure one shows the results. The noun phrase, the results, complements the verb, shows. Living matter is a minute part of the planet. The noun phrase, a minute part of the planet, gives more information in the predicate about the subject of the sentence. The finding seems somewhat surprising. The adjective phrase, somewhat surprising, also gives more information in the predicate about the subject of the sentence. Very close to each other, six and a half pounds, for over three hours. These phrases are predicative complements of place, measure, and time. Even clauses can complement verbs, as in the example. New findings indicate that fish may be more able to evolve into air-breathing, walking creatures than earlier believed. Objects are most typically noun phrases. They follow the verb and they may be direct object or indirect object. Direct objects indicate the person or thing that undergoes the action denoted by the verb or the participant directly affected by the action. We evaluated the temperature. Indirect objects indicate the recipient of a direct object. They are usually people or animals. An indirect object is always accompanied by direct object. Some verbs require dual complementation. The table shows several common types of dual complementation. Let's consider these examples. The research plan has given them a better understanding of the problem area. We have two object, indirect object and a direct object expressed by two noun phrases. We sent a cover letter to the editor. And we have direct object plus prepositional complement expressed by a noun phrase and a prepositional phrase. The discovery made him world famous. We have direct object and object complement which gives more information about the object, expressed by a noun phrase and an adjective phrase. We placed a 30.5 gram sample of an alloy into 49.1 gram water. We have direct object and prepositional phrase which locates the object in terms of place. The researcher explained to the ethics committee why the use of human participants was essential to his research project. In this case we have indirect object and direct object expressed by noun phrase and a prepositional phrase. Clause functions as direct object alongside indirect object, expressed by noun phrase and a clause. The choice of verb controls the structure of the sentences. In the takeaway section, you can find the table that summarizes common sentence patterns in both active and passive voice.
