Grammar complex object

The combination of a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the objective case and an infinitive used after the predicate forms a complex object.

Complex object is used: 1.After verbs expressing wish:

	Verb +	some body +	Verb
I	want, wish, like, would like.	her	to cook

I want her to cook breakfast. I would like my friends to be happy. Do you want me to open the window. She didn't wish the students to smoke here. 2. After verbs expressing assumption:

	Verb +	some body+	Verb
I	expect, consider, suppose, believe	them	to come

We expected them to come in two day. I believe this book to be interesting. The teacher considered the text to be too difficult for them. 3. After verbs expressing statement, mental activity and announcement about something:

	Verb +	some body+	Verb
I	know, think, report, claim, declare, find, show	her	to cook

We know her to be a good actress. We know him to have been a good painter. He declared the train to arrive at 5 o'clock. 4. After verbs expressing enforcement:

	Verb +	some body+	Verb
I	make, have	him	do
I	force	her	to cook

He made me do this work. I will have them come in time. (Я заставлю их прийти вовремя) 5. After verbs expressing prohibition, permission, request:

	Verb +	some body +	Verb
I	let	them	come in
I	allow, permit, ask, disallow	her	to stay here

Let me do it. He disallowed us to stay here. 7. Use infinitives without to after verbs expressing perception and feelings.

	Verb +	some body +	Verb Verb + ing
I	see,notice,watch hear, listen to feel, observe	him	do doing

I saw her go out. Я видел, как она вышла. I heard her sing.  Я слышал как она спела. I heard him open the door.

If we use passive voice, we must use particle 'to' after infinitive:

EXAMPE: She was seen to go out.

If it is a long-lasting action, use ‘ing’ after infinitives:

I saw Ann waiting for a bus. Я видел, что Анна ждала автобус. I heard her singing . Я слышал ее пение. I heard him opening the door.

Exercise 1 

Practice sentences with Complex Object after the verb 'want'. Say that you (he, she, they, etc.) want somebody to do the following.

Model: A: I want to be introduced to Mr Laurie. (the host) B: I want the host to introduce me to Mr Laurie.

1. The patient wanted to be examined. (the doctor) 

2. The man wants to be treated for rheumatism. (Doctor House) 

3. He wished to be cured of his illness. (the specialist) 

4. Usually English people don’t like to be asked personal questions. (strangers) 

Exercise 2

Practice in using Comlpex Object after 'make'. Change the sentences according to the model.

Model: A: His mother advised him to write a story. B: His mother made him write a story.

1. His father advised him to quit smoking. 

2. His brother advised him to get a new job. 

3. Mary’s teacher advised her to take part in the writing contest. 

4. Her parents advised her to move to Chicago. 

Exercise 3

Practise in using Complex Object. a. Say what you (he, she) would (should) like me (him, her…) to do.

Model:      to fix an appointment for someone for Monday A: I would like you to fix an appointment for me for Monday.

1. to have a good time at the party; 

2. to arrange everything by the time I come back; 

3. to show them the historical monuments of the city; 

4. to tell me the news in brief.

b. Ask a friend if he wants you to do the following. Work in pair.

Model:      to take care of the tickets A: Do you want me to take care of the tickets? B: Yes, do please.

1. to come and help you with the packing; 

2. to brief the pressman about the State Visit; 

3. to show you some historical places of our city; 

4. to entertain the guests; 

5. to make a speech in Italian.

c. Say that you want certain thing (to be) done.

Model:      to answer a telephone call A: I want a telephone call to be answered

1. to publish the historical manuscripts; 

2. to do the steak well; 

3. to do the work properly; 

4. to forget this incident; 

5. to tell the story in brief.

d. Ask a friend if he has heard or seen the following. Work in pair.

Model:      the Chairman – to make an announcement A: Did you hear the Chairman make an announcement? B: Yes, I certainly did. (No, I am sorry, I didn’t.)

1. they (to tell) about the car accident; 

2. these flowers (to grow) in your country; 

3. he (to do) the role of Richard III; 

4. George (to take) the papers out of his brief-case. 

Exercise 4 

Read the extract from the poem pointing out complex objects. Compare two versions of translation (a. and b.) and say which one you liked most. Learn the extract by heart.