The simple sentence: verbs with and without objects

What is a complete sentence?

1) When we speak, we often say things like All right! Good! Want any help?

These are 'complete units of meaning', but they are not real sentences.

2) A simple sentence is a complete unit of meaning which contains a subject and a verb,

followed, if necessary, by other words which make up the meaning. So:

Made in Germany is correct English but it is not a sentence because it doesn't have a subject.

My car was made in Germany  is a complete sentence with a subject and verb.

We can't say e.g. *Is tired* because we need a subject: He is tired.

3) The subject may be 'hidden': Open the door. Really means You open the door.

Write: Put a tick (√) beside real sentences.

   1)       Made in Germany. ×

2)       This car was made in Germany. (√)

   3)       To write a letter. –

   4)       Standing in the rain. –

   5)       I want to write a letter. –

   6)       Is tall. –

   7)       Do you like? –

   8)       The train has arrived. –

   9)       Have finished my work. –

   10)   Sit down please. –

   11)   You can't park here. –

   12)   Don't interrupt. –

   13)   I understand. –

   14)   She doesn't like me. –

   15)   under the water. –

   16)   Ate. –

   17)   A bottle of ink. –

   18)   He's a doctor. –

   19)   What happened? -

Verbs with and without objects

1) We always have to use an object after some verbs: e.g. beat, contain, enjoy, hit, need.

We call these transitive verbs. We have to say:

Arsenal beat Liverpool. But we can't say *Arsenal beat. *

2) Some verbs never take an object: e.g. ache, arrive, come, faint, go, sit down, sleep, snow.

We call these intransitive verbs. We have to say:

We arrived at 1 1. But we can't say 'We arrived the station at 1 1.

3) Some verbs can be used transitively or intransitively: e.g. begin, drop, hurt, open, ring, win.

We can say: Arsenal won the match. (Transitive) or Arsenal won. (Intransitive)

Write: Put an object (a pronoun or a noun) after these verbs only where possible.

1 The box contains ...pencils. ........................... 10 The door opened.......................................

2 The train has arrived ..................................... 11 This is a game no one can win.................

3 The phone rang ............................................. 12 The concert began.......................... at 7.30.

4 Someone is ringing........................................ 13 I began.......................................................

5 You need .......................................................14 It's snowing..............................................

6 We sat down...............................................   15 Quick! She's fainted....................................

7 Don't hit.....................................................   16 Did you enjoy............................................ ?

8 Did you beat...........................................?     17 My head aches..............................................

9 Who opened............................................?   18 My foot hurts.................................................