INCOMPLETE VERBS
426. If the verb in the predicate is an incomplete verb of action, then the object of the verb is also part of the predicate. The complete predicate containing an incomplete verb of action may contain five parts; a verb, a direct object, an indirect object, an adverb and an adverb phrase. As for example:
- The tailor gladly made him a coat at that time.
In this sentence, the complete predicate is gladly made him a coat at that time. Made is the verb. It is an incomplete verb of action, and coat is its direct object. Him is the indirect object. Made is also modified by the adverb gladly, and the adverb phrase, at that time.
All of these are not always used, of course, in every predicate; but these are the elements which may occur in the predicate with an incomplete verb.
THE OBJECT OF THE VERB
427. Words used as objects of a verb are practically the same as those which may be used for its subject.
We may have a noun used as the object of the verb. For example:
- Hail destroyed the crops.
- The banks rob the farmers.
- We must educate the children.
- Labor produces all wealth.
In these sentences, crops, farmers, children and wealth are nouns used as the object of the verb.