Pattern 7: subject + verb + object + adverbial

Some verbs can be followed by an object but still need a fourth element to complete the sentence:

This sentence leads the listener to ask questions such as, 'The elephant thrust him where?' We need to add a fourth element to the sentence:

The sentence does not work without away. Verbs that usually need an object to be followed by an adverbial include put and throw:

In those sentences like those the adverbial is compulsory: you cannot remove them and leave the sentence intact. Much more often, adverbials are optional and can appear in different positions in the sentence:

I'll tell you tomorrow.

He always used to tuck it underneath the water butt.

He rarely ate red meat.

And so on.

© John Seely 2008