Complex object
Definition. Complex
object -
is a
combination of
a noun
in the
common case
or a
pronoun in the objective case and an infinitive used after
the predicate.
The usual sentence: I want
to read this book. Complex
Object: I
want him
to read
this book.
Construction
of the
Complex Object
is used
in the
following sequence:
Subject + Verb
+ Object + Particle
(to) + Infinitive
or
Subject + Verb +
Object + Infinitive
(without particle
«to»)
RULES OF
USE
In
a
case
of expressing
physical
perception
and
sensation:
see, watch,
look, notice,
observe, feel,
hear … After
these verbs, we use the infinitive without the particle «to»:
I
have never
heard you
sing.
We
saw the
postman slip a thick
envelope into the box.
With verbs of perception, we can
use Present or Past Participle instead of infinitive. If
we If we use Present Participle (P1), we demonstrate the
process of the action:
I
saw her
running along
the road.
If we
use Past
Participle (P2),
we emphasize
the one-off
action or
completeness of
the action:
I
saw her
run into
the house.
In
a
case
of expressing
motivation,
compulsion the
infinitive
is
used
also
without «to»:
let, make, have…
You can’t
make me
do such
things. Never let him go.
They
had the
man do
what they
wanted.
In
a
case
of
expressing
desire
and
need
(Particle
«to»
is
used):
want, wish,
desire, like,
would like… He
wanted his students to note the colours of animals.
The
inspector would
like you to
explain everything
to him.
In
a
case
of expressing
an assumption
(Particle
«to»
is
used):
expect, suppose,
believe, consider,
find… Parents usually expect their children to be
obedient.
We
believe it
to be
the best
way out
of this situation.
In
a
case
of
expressing
knowledge,
awareness,
approval
(Particle
«to»
is
used):
know, think,
state, note,
report… People knew him to be a great sculptor.
She
thought him
to be a qualified
specialist.
In
a
case
of
expressing
order,
permission,
forbiddance,
request
(Particle
«to»
is
used):
order, allow,
forbid… He ordered him to stop this conversation.
Basically, this
is complete
information regarding
a complex
object in
English. There
is one more
nuance. This language is
characterized by the use of a complex object with the past
participle (Participle II). In such a construction, it is indicated
that it is not the subject himself who performs the action, but
someone else does it for him. It looks like this:
to have
one’s hair
cut
to
have one’s
eyes tested
to
have one’s
watch repaired
TEST
I
saw
her
... into
the
building.
to
come
coming
come
I
believed
you
...
three
mobile
phones.
to
have
having
have
He
made me
... the
window.
to
close
closing
close
I
saw them
...
in the
park.
to
play
playing
play
She
believes Mark
...
a good
businessman.
to
be
being
be
I
saw
you
...
in
the
park.
Everybody
liked
it!
to
dance
to
dancing
dance
Mr.
Smith
saw
his
friends
...
the
classroom.
to
leave
leaving
leave
His
mum wants
him
... his
homework.
to
do
doing
do
Shh!
I
hear
someone
...
.
to
cry
crying
cry
He
can’t
make
me
...
this!
to
do
doing
do
I
like him
... this
task
so well.
to
do
doing
do
His
mum allowed him
…
home late
tonight.
to
come
coming
come
Mr.
Brown
would
like
his
son
...
a
surgeon.
to
become
becoming
become
I
want
my
son
...
more
languages.
to
learn
learning
learn
Don’t
let
him
...
you.
to
fool
fooling
fool
I
expect
the
weather ...
good
today.
to
be
being
be
I
felt
someone
...
me
on
the shoulder.
to
touch
touching
touch
I
heard
her
...
a
famous
English
song.
to
sing
singing
sung
I
know
her
...
a
good
student.
to
be
being
be
Rainy
weather
makes
me ...
bad.
to
feel
feeling
feel
Exercise
1. Change complex sentences into sentences with the Complex Object.
1.I did not expect that she would forget about my birthday. 2. She
saw how the children were playing in the park. 3. Do you know that he
went abroad two days ago? 4. I like to watch how she dances. 5. She
could hardly I believe that he had been rescued. 6. He expects that
everybody will be ready to do this work. 7. I don't like when the
children are late for dinner. 8. Don't consider that he is a hero. He
is an ordinary man. 9. I've heard how he was arguing with his father.
10. I suspect that he has taken my money. 11. She likes to watch how
the sun sets. 12. I hate when people shout at each other. 13. They
suppose that he will cope with this work. 14. I've heard how she was
crying. 15. We expect that he will solve this problem soon
1