6. Another type of sentence is exhibited in the following group : Examples of Complements after Intransitive and Symbolic Verbs. 1. The indolent despair of success. 2. The sweets (we wish for) turn to loathed sours. 3. Wise men hesitate to speak dogmatically. 4. A good man's fortune may grow out at heels. 5. This seems deserving of praise. 6. Griefs of my own lie heavy on my breast. 7. The corn looks ready for reaping. 8. Who is able to deliver us. 9. Ambition should be made of sterner stuff (Comp. after Passive Voice). Here we have Intransitive and Symbolic verbs which require, or take, a Complement, either to mark some essential attribute of the activity or state denoted by the verb in the given sentence ; or to define more closely the significance of an adjective or participle forming part of the predicate. This function clearly constitutes the words in italics Complements, and renders it altogether inappropriate to class them with Indirect Objects. These words do not denote objects, in the literal sense, at all; and they do not denote things upon which, or to which, the activity is directed. Having now noticed all the various possible members of the sentence, viz., Subject, Enlargement of Subject, Predicate (in the narrower sense), Complement, Object, Enlargement of Object, Indirect Object, and Extension, we will define these members, and the Complex Object. Then we will name the different elements of which each member may consist. Exercise 18. Analyse the sentences in Groups A, B, C, Section 18 (p. 259). Questions. 1. What do you understand by a sentence? Name its essential parts and the members it may possibly have. 2. State clearly how the direct object, the indirect object, and the complement differ from each other. 3. What are Factitive Objects, Objective Complements, and Complex Objects? Give an example of each. Definition of the Sentence and of its Members. 1. A Sentence is a portion of speech complete in itself, and incapable of being broken up into two or more independent and complete utterances. Example: Time flies. 2. The Subject is a word which denotes the person or thing about which an assertion is made. Example: Gladstone was Premier. 3. The Predicate is a word, or group of words, which makes an assertion about the person or thing denoted by the Subject. Examples: The earth rotates. Alfred defeated the Danes. He was a hero. 4. The Object is a word which denotes a person or thing, other than the agent, necessarily involved in the activity denoted by the predicate, when such a person or thing is necessarily involved. Example: Jonathan loved David. 5. A Complement is a word, or group of words, which completes the sense of the Predicate by specifying some attribute (essential in the particular sentence) of the activity or state denoted by the Verb forming the Predicate, or of the quality denoted by an Adjective or Participle forming part of the Predicate. Examples: They elected William treasurer. All regarded him as trustworthy. Do not despair of success. Be prompt in discharging obligations. James is willing to try. 6. An Extension of the Predicate is any word or words added to a complete Predicate to modify the assertion in respect to time, place, manner, purpose, cause, or degree; or to strengthen, weaken, or deny the assertion; or to modify the assertion in any way. Example: The bird sometimes sings very loudly. 7. An Enlargement of the Subject (or Object) is any word or words added to particularise the person or thing denoted by the Subject (or Object), but qualifying the Subject (or Object) only. Example: The imperious Duke awed the lawless Barons. 8. An Indirect Object is a word which denotes some person or thing, other than the agent, implied in a given activity, either in addition to the essential object of the activity, or when the activity is expressly represented, by means of a preposition, as involving or extending to some person or thing. Examples: 1. (Dative Object) I gave him a bun. 2. (Intrans. V. and Prep.) We went to the village. 9. A Complex Object is an Object constituted by a word denoting a person or thing involved in an activity, and an Infinitive or Participle implying that to that person or thing a certain activity or other attribute belongs. It is equivalent to a sentence, standing as the Object of a Transitive Verb. Example: I know him to be trustworthy. Exercises 19. Analyse the sentences in Groups A to F, Section 19 (pp. 260-1). 4. A Transitive Verb (Presentive). Examples: (a) Simple Tense. Wordsworth wrote the "Excursion." (b) Compound Tense. Parliament has passed the Bill. 5. A Verb denoting an activity, state, or attribute (Presentive), and a Complement denoting some essential attribute of that activity or state. The Complement may be— (a) A Noun. Example: We elected him president. (b) An Adjective. Example: Alfred rendered his kingdom happy. (c) An Infinitive.' Example: She longed to succeed. (d) A Prepositional Phrase. Example: Oft I invoked thee for my muse. 1 The Infinitive may (if Transitive) require an Object, and may be accompanied by modifying words, as: We hesitated to tolerate such accidents so frequently. An Extension of the Predicate may be 1. An Adverb. Example: Children sleep soundly. 2. An Adverbial Phrase. Example: Fairies disappeared long ago. 3. A Prepositional Phrase (adverbial in function). Examples: (a) A genius works with infinite patience. (b) Candles were employed for measuring time.1 4. A Noun used Adverbially. Example: He went home.2 5. A Noun and an Adjective (with or without an Adverb). Example: The man walked nearly fifty weary miles.3 6. A Participle, Participial Phrase, or an Absolute Phrase. Examples: (a) They came rejoicing. (b) We worked, wasting no time. 7. An Infinitive or an Infinitive (a) She stoops to conquer. (b) He was foolish to resign. (c) They were prudent to extend education. 1 This is called a Gerundial Phrase by some Grammarians. 2 When "home" means homewards, and when it is not asserted or known that he reached home. In the sentence I came home, where it is implied that the speaker reached home, the word home should be regarded as an Indirect Object. 3 The function of "miles is clearly adverbial; but some distance is implied in the attribute walked, and the word that denotes something necessarily involved in any activity, state, or attribute, is, thereby, in the objective case. Rules for securing a Correct Analysis. (Simple Sentence.) 1. Be quite certain that you understand the sentence: then mentally separate it into two parts-the logical Subject and the logical Predicate. 2. Find out what person or thing the assertion is about: place the word denoting that person or thing as Subject. Observe whether there are any words which describe the person or thing denoted by the subject, or which distinguish that person or thing from others. If there are any such words place them as the Enlargement of the Subject. 1 3. Note whether the Verb is Symbolic 1 or Presentive. 2 A. If Symbolic 1 (a) And not followed by an Infinitive. 1. There can be no Object; place a dash under the Object. Place 3. The remaining words must be the Predicate. (b) And followed by an Infinitive. Note whether the Infinitive is Transitive or not. 1. If Intransitive observe whether there is any Indirect Object. If so place it under the "Object" with (Ind. Obj.) in brackets. If not put a dash in the "Object" column, and proceed as in (a) 2 and 3. 2. If Transitive place the Object in its proper place, and note whether there is also a Dative Object or other Indirect Object. If so place it in the Object column with (Dat. Obj.) or (Ind. Obj.) after it. Look for any Enlargement of the Object, and if there are any words of this description place them in the proper column. Then proceed as in (a) 2 and 3. B. If Presentive.2 Proceed as in A. (b) 1 and 2. If the student prefers to call the Complement which is sometimes regarded as a second Object, the Factitive Object, he should place the word that denotes it in the Object column, with the words (Factitive Obj.) after it. 1 Symbolic Verbs are the verbs be, seems, appears, looks, may be, can, may, might, must, ought, used, shall, will, do, and a few others. 2 Presentive Verbs are such as make, buy, shoot, give, sleep. |