Verb complementation
Every lexical verb licenses particular complements, so a grammatically possible form after one verb may be impossible after another.
01 · Concept foundation
Understand the terms before applying the rule
Each term below names a different grammatical object. Open examples and compare their function rather than memorising a Vietnamese translation alone.
complementation/ˌkɒmplɪmenˈteɪʃən/
khả năng kết hợp bổ ngữThe pattern of complements selected by a word, especially a verb.
avoid doing; decide to do; provide someone with something
tránh làm; quyết định làm; cung cấp cho ai cái gì
transitive verb/ˈtrænzətɪv vɜːb/
ngoại động từA verb that normally takes a direct object.
analyse the data
phân tích dữ liệu
non-finite complement/nɒn ˈfaɪnaɪt ˈkɒmplɪmənt/
bổ ngữ phi hữu hạnAn infinitive or -ing clause functioning as a complement without carrying independent tense.
aim to reduce; avoid increasing
nhằm giảm; tránh làm tăng
Complete lesson scope
Do not stop at one formula
Verb + object, double-object and object-complement patterns
Verb + to-infinitive, bare infinitive, -ing and that-clause
Meaning changes after remember, stop, try, regret and mean
Causative and perception patterns
Decision boundary: Complement choice belongs to the lexical grammar of each controlling verb and cannot be predicted from translation alone.
02 · Controlling rule
Verb complementation is lexical grammar: each verb sense selects objects, prepositional complements, to-infinitives, bare infinitives, -ing clauses or finite clauses. The pattern must be learned with the verb, and some alternations—remember doing/to do, stop doing/to do, try doing/to do—change meaning.
V + O | V + to-inf | V + -ing | V + O + to/bare-inf | V + finite clauseVerb complementation and valency
Learn each verb together with the structures it licenses, distinguish object patterns from non-finite and finite-clause complements, and recognise meaning changes caused by a different complement.
Valency and transitivity
A verb opens structural slots. Some verbs need no complement, some require one object, and others license two objects or an object plus complement.
V | V + O | V + O + O | V + O + C/ATransitivity belongs to a verb sense, not permanently to the spelling of the verb.
A missing required complement makes a clause incomplete or changes the intended meaning.
Object-complement and location-complement patterns must be learned with the controlling verb.
The error occurred unexpectedly.
The committee found the evidence convincing.
- O: the evidence
- C: convincing
High-frequency verb-pattern bank
Store the verb and pattern as one lexical unit.
| Pattern | Typical verbs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| V + to-inf | decide, aim, plan, refuse | They decided to recalibrate. |
| V + -ing | avoid, consider, suggest, finish | They avoided changing the grid. |
| V + O + to-inf | allow, enable, require, advise | The tool enabled users to compare runs. |
| V + O + bare inf | make, let, see, hear | The error made the solver stop. |
| V + that-clause | argue, show, indicate, confirm | The data indicate that salinity increased. |
Meaning shifts after complement choice
Translate the whole pattern, not the isolated verb.
| Verb | -ing meaning | to-infinitive meaning |
|---|---|---|
| remember | recall a past event | not forget a future task |
| stop | end the activity | pause in order to act |
| try | test a method | make an effort |
| regret | feel sorry about a past act | formally announce bad news |
High-risk contrasts
Avoid selects an -ing complement.
Suggest normally takes -ing or a that-clause in this meaning.
Active make takes object + bare infinitive.
Prevent takes object + from + -ing.
Concept and form check
Apply the system in context
Create a pattern ledger for ten academic verbs from your own field. Record the complement, one original sentence and one high-risk error for each verb.
- ✓Store the exact verb pattern, not only the Vietnamese meaning.
- ✓Check whether a person object is required, optional or impossible.
- ✓Explain any meaning change between -ing and to-infinitive.
03 · Worked examples
Observe form, function and meaning together
The team decided to extend the monitoring period.
Nhóm quyết định kéo dài thời gian quan trắc.
The report suggests increasing monitoring frequency.
Báo cáo đề xuất tăng tần suất quan trắc.
The update enabled users to compare scenarios.
Bản cập nhật cho phép người dùng so sánh các kịch bản.
The barrier prevented salt from entering the canal.
Rào chắn ngăn muối xâm nhập kênh.
The authors argue that the threshold is too conservative.
Các tác giả lập luận rằng ngưỡng quá bảo thủ.
04 · High-risk contrast
Explain why one form fails, not only which answer is correct
The error made the solver to stop.
The error made the solver stop.
Active causative make selects object + bare infinitive. The passive counterpart uses to: The solver was made to stop.
05 · Mastery check
Apply the rule before marking the lesson complete
Which sentence is grammatically acceptable in the target system?
Which description best defines “complementation”?
Which example is one of the verified target patterns in this lesson?
Which structural formula belongs to this lesson?
Complete all four checks, then submit a sentence for target-form feedback.
06 · IELTS Academic
Transfer grammar into a real communicative task
Accurate verb patterns improve reporting verbs, cause–effect explanations and recommendations in Academic Writing and Speaking.
Classify verbs by object and clause-complement pattern.
Use decide/avoid/suggest/allow/make/prevent with their licensed forms.
Explain meaning differences after remember, stop and try.
Store academic reporting verbs together with that/wh/whether patterns.