ditransitive verbs in english and vietnamese
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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CHAPTER I:
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1.1Verbs and their complementation type
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1.1.1. Definition of verb
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1.1.2 Classification of verbs
1.1.3 Classification of verbs according to their complementation
1.2 Ditransitive verbs and their related complex transitive verb
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1.3 Object
CHAPTER II
2.1 .Ditransitive verbs – their syntactic feature
2.1.1 Formation of Ditransitive verbs
2.1.2 Positions of object
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2.1.3 Possible realization of direct object and indirect object
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2.1.4 SVOO-SVOA transformation
2.2 Ditransitive verbs – their semantic features
2.2.1 Material process
2.2.2 Mental process
2.2.3 Verbal process
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2.3.1 Ditransitive verbs and their Vietnamese equivalents
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2.3.2 Ditransitive complementation in English and the equivalents in Vietnamese
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In English grammar, the English Verb has always been the element that causes
much more trouble to language learners than any other ones in the sentence because it
provides the power of the sentence. In fact, it is said that the verbs are very complicated
but important. Being aware of its importance will help Vietnamese learners overcome
difficulties when learning and using English verbs.
In terms of their complementation, verbs are divided into intensive verbs and
extensive verbs. Extensive verbs consist of transitive and intransitive ones. Transitive
verbs include Monotransitive verbs, Ditransitive verbs and Complex transitive verbs.
Among them, Ditransitive verbs and complex transitive verbs often make Vietnamese
learners confused.
Consider the following sentences: “He gave the key to Liz” and “He took the key to
the tip”. Both “Liz” and “the tip” are prepositional complements - the preposition “to”.
But the question here is whether both of them belong to SVOO or SVOA. And how can
you give explanation for your choice?
Let us consider another case: “Will you get some milk for Liz?” and “Will you iron
this dress for Liz?”. Does “Liz” in the two sentences play the same semantic role?
Therefore, it is important to help students to understand Ditransitive verbs and its
complementation clearly.
For all the above reasons, the topic of the paper is chosen with the hope that it will
help us have detailed information of this kind of verbs in both languages and overcome
difficulties when using. It is also hopeful that the minor thesis will be of some help to those
who are interested in this aspect of English Grammar.
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The paper aims at:
• describing and analyzing Ditransitive verbs and its complementation.
• describing and analyzing the expression of Ditransitive complementation of
different process types.
• finding out the similarities and differences between Ditransitive verbs and their
Vietnamese equivalents.
• presenting and analyzing their Vietnamese equivalents along with some difficulties
by Vietnamese learners in the process of studying and Making some suggested
solutions to these problems to prevent the learners’ errors.
%
• Describing English and Vietnamese ditransitive verbs
• Making contrastive analysis (qualitative and quantitative)
• Anticipating Vietnamese learners’ errors.
&'
• To differentiate Ditransitive verbs and their… according to their experiential
meanings concentrating on the most common structures and patterns of ditransitive
verbs.
• To make contrastive analysis of English ditransitive verbs and their
complementation and the Vietnamese equivalents.
• To evaluate the English - Vietnamese translation in some bilingual books available.
()
The minor thesis begins with Declaration, Acknowledgement; Contents; Symbols
and Abbreviation.
The body of the paper is divided into three parts:
• Introduction including Rationale, Aims of the study, Methods of the study, Scope
of the study, and Design of the study
• Investigation consisting of three chapters:
- Chapter I: The Theoretical Preliminaries of the English verbs
+ Verbs and their complementation types.
+ Ditransitive verbs: traditional conception and in functional grammar.
+ Ditransitive verbs and their related complex transitive verbs
Chapter II: Ditransitive verbs –Their syntactic and semantic features
- Ditransitive verbs- their syntactic features
+ Formation of ditransitive verbs.
+ Positions of objects
+ Possible realization of direct object and indirect object
- Ditransitive verbs- their semantic features – experiential meanings.
- Similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese ditransitive verbs and
their complementation.
- Chapter III: Exploring ditransitive verbs usage in English and Vietnamese and
suggestions for teaching them.
• Conclusion, which presents the overview of the study, closing with the suggestion
for further research. The last one is bibliography.
)
1.1.1 Definition of verb
• L. G. Alexander (1988): “A verb is a word or a phrase which express the
existence of a state or the doing of an action”.
• According to Sidney Grennbaum, the term “verb” is used in two ways:
(1) A verb is a word that displays contracts such as tense, aspect, mood, voice,
number (singular/plural), and person. It is generally inflected to offer non-finite
form: infinitive (write), -ing participle (writing), -ed participle (written). A non-
finite main verb (or lexical verb) may combine with one or more auxiliaries (or
auxiliary verbs) in a verb phrase (may write, has been writing, could have
written, was being written).
(2) A verb (consisting of a verb phrase) combine with the subject of the sentence to
constitute a minimum sentence: I (subject) won (verb); Dinner (subject) is
servered (verb); No complaints (subject) have been received (verb); All the
guests (subject) have been complaining (verb). If a sentence contains more
than one clause, it is usual for each clause to have each own verb. (The sun is
shining(1) but I predict(2) that it will rain (3)before we leave(4).
• According to Quirk et al (1971), “A verb is considered as dynamic or stative verb
according to its occurrence with progressive aspect (He was typing a letter) or not
(He was knowing the answer). The distinction between verbs in dynamic use (as
with type) and stative use (as with know) is a fundamental one in English grammar,
and it is also reflected in a number of other ways than in the progressive”.
1.1.2 Classification of verbs
Verbs are classified according to:
+ Their function:
lexical
auxiliary
+ Their forms (verb phrase structure):
finite
non-finite
+ Their meaning:
Dynamic
Stative
+ Verb complementation:
intensive
extensive
o Transitive
Monotransitive (VO)
Ditransitive (VOO)
. complextransitive (VOC/A)
o Intransitive
1.1.3 Classification of verbs according to their complementation
Complementation is defined as part of a phrase or clause which follows a word and
completes the specification of a meaning relationship which that word implies.
There are four main types of complementation of English verbs:
• Copular complementation
According to Quirk, R et al. (1985:1171), A verb is said to have copular complement
when it is followed by a subject complement or a predication adjunct, and when this
element can not be dropped without changing the meaning of the verb. The verb in such
clause is a copular (or linking) verb. For example:
[1] John is only a boy. (SVC)
(Quirk, R et al., 1985:1170)
• Monotransitive complementation
According to Quirk, R et al. (1985:1176), Verbs used in monotransitive function
require a direct object. For example:
[2] I have caught a big fish. (SVO)
(Quirk, R et al., 1985:1170)
• Complex transitive complementation
Complex transitive complementation represents a fusion of monotransitive and
intensitive types of complementation, according to Quirk, R et al. (1972:850). For
example:
[3] We considered Bill a friend. (SVOO)
(Quirk, R et al., 1972:850).
• Ditransitive complementation
Ditransitive complementation in its basic form involves two objects that are not in a
co-referential, intensive relation, according to Quirk, R et al. (1972:843). For example:
[4] John offered Mary some help. (SVOO)
(Quirk, R et al., 1985:1209)
According to verb complementation, verbs are classified into intensive verbs and
extensive verbs.
1.1.3.1 Intensive verbs
Intensive verbs often denote intensive relationship, often between subject and
complement. Its sentence types are SVC and SVA.
Intensive verb does not take any object. It presents the relationship between the
subject and the subject complementation. The verb in sentences with subject complement
is a “copular” (or linking verb), which of itself has little meaning but functions as a link
between the complement subject.
There are two subgroups:
(1) Current intensive: be, appear, look, feel, remain, keep
[5] Her rug is too small for her living room. (SVC)
(E. Warriner, J. & Graham, L.S. 1980:108)
(2) Resulting intensive: become, come, get, go, grow, turn
[6] She grew tired of his complaints. (SVC)
(E. Warriner, J. & Graham, L.S. 1980:108)
1.1.3.2 Extensive verbs
Extensive verbs are those that extend their meaning to a new entity, of which the
presence helps complete the meaning of the action or a state.
[7] I mailed some letters. (SVO)
(Andrew, J. & Murphy, 1980:69)
[8] She is writing a long letter home. (SVOA)
(Leech, G & Svartvik, J. 1984:304)
Extensive verbs may be intransitive or transitive.
• Intransitive verbs
Verbs which do not take object or intensive complements are intransitive. Some are almost
always intransitive (snow, vanish). Others represent intransitive uses of basically transitive
verbs (eat, drive, read). In some types there is a corresponding transitive use, in others,
not. Intransitive verbs take the sentence type SV.
[9] Quick! The train has arrived. (SV)
(Alexander, L.G.1998:6)
There are two subclasses of intransitive verbs:
+ Common intransitive verbs:
- Simple: come, go, work,
- Derived: return, retire,
+ Phrasal V intransitive: take off, set up, come to
• Transitive verbs
Verbs which take objects or complements are transitive.
o Monotransitive verbs
Verbs with one extensive complement are called monotransitive. The complement
is a direct object or a prepositional object. Its sentence type is SVO.
Verbs used in monotransitive function require a direct object, may be a noun
phrase, a finite clause, or a non-finite clause. In addition to these categories the verb may
be a prepositional verb or phrasal prepositional verb, which for our present purposes will
be treated as analogous to a verb with a direct object.
+ Simple: ask, answer, build, buy, do, speak, cut
[10] She cut a cake with a knife. (SVOA)
(Leech, G & Svartvik, J. 1984:299)
+ Phrasal: give up, make up, set off, switch on, switch off, turn down
[11] Hazel is out. We set off early. (SVA)
(Alexander, L. G. 1998:157)
+ Prepositional: depend on
[12] The price depends on when you travel. (SVA)
(Wood, E. J. 1994:308)
+ Phrasal prepositional: cut down on, get on with, catch up with
[13] Jack has cut down on smoking. He only smokes five cigarettes a day now.
o Ditransitive verbs
o Complex transitive verbs
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o Ditransitive verbs
All transitive verbs take a direct object; some, in addition, permit an indirect object,
and these will be distinguished as ditransitive. Ditransitive verbs take the sentence type
SVOO.
+ Simple verb ditransitive: buy, bring, make, lend, find, pay
[14] I have paid George the whole sum.
(Quirk, R. & Greenbaum, S. 1973:119)
+ Prepositional verb ditransitive: accuse of, aware of, inform of, compare to,
provide with, remind of
[15] They accused me of telling lies.
(Raymon, M. 1994:120)
o Complex transitive verbs
All transitive verbs take a direct object; a few verbs take an object complement and
these will be referred to as complex transitive. The direct object generally represents a
person or thing, and the object complement adds the information about the entity from the
standpoint of the subject. This information can describe or identify the referent of the
direct object by means of some attribute; or express a circumstance or situation in which
the referent is said to be. Complex transitive verbs take the sentence type SVOC and
SVOA.
+ With SVOC type:
- Factual verbs: imagine, like, find, think
[16] I found her to be an entertaining partner.
(Leech, G. & Svartvik, J. 1984:297))
- Causative verbs: have, let, make
[17] Miss Prouty made the boys stay in after school.
(Alexander, L. G. 1998:300)
- Verbs of perception: notice, observe, watch
[18] I saw two men cutting down a tree.
(East Wood, J. 1994:173)
- Other verbs: elect, consider, interpret, class, accept
[19] They considered him the best player on the team.
(Leech, G. & Svartvik, J. 1984:303)
+ With SVOA type: put, place, stand
[20] She put the coat over his arm.
(East Wood, J. 1994:12)
+
• Definition of object
The object in the function of an element within the predicate which typically expresses
an argument of a simple semantic predicate and is related to the main verb without the
mediation of a preposition. The object of a verb can be affected by the verb either directly
or indirectly.
• Classification of object
There are two kinds of objects. They are Direct object and Indirect object.
The direct object is the single object in a transitive clause, not mediated by a
preposition and having no prepositional paraphrase. In clauses with two objects, it follows
the Indirect object. It can become subject in a passive clause.
The indirect object is that clause constituent which immediately follows the
Predicator in clauses with two objects. It can become the subject in a passive clause and
have a prepositional paraphrase.
$),
2.1.1 Formation of ditransitive verbs
All transitive verbs take a direct object; some, in addition, permit an indirect object,
and these will be distinguished as ditransitive. Ditransitive verbs help form the sentence
type SVOO. In terms of their word formation, there are five subclasses of ditransitive
verbs, namely:
(i) Simple ditransitive verbs: buy, bring, make, lend, find, pay, give, offer…
[21] I have paid George the whole sum
(Quirk, R. & Greenbaum, S. 1973:119)
[22] Will you find me a seat?
(ii) Derived ditransitive verbs: reassign, recharge, remake, overpay, oversell,
oversupply, uncap (something for somebody), unhook (something for somebody),
undercharge, undersell, understate (something for someone), undertake, etc.
[23] We reassign him this task
[24] She undertook herself to complete the work in time.
(iii) Ditransitive phrasal verbs: (often used with the transformed SVOA, hence
mixed with complex transitive verbs): get through….for, give back…to/for…, take
in…for…, etc.
[25] Please get through the work for me soon
[26] I’ll give back the book to him as soon as possible.
(iv) Prepositional ditransitive verbs: inform…of, supply…with, accuse …of,
provide…with, remind…of, charge…with, compare…to, congratulate…on, convince…of,,
deprive…of, introduce…to, rob… of,….
[27] They accused me of telling lies.
(Raymon, M.1994:120)
[28] They supplied us with everything necessary.
Most of the ditransitive prepositional verbs allow a passive with the direct object as
subject
[29] They were accused of wasting public money and encouraging idlers.
(Greenbaum, S. 1996:284)
(v) Phrasal prepositional ditransitive verbs
Phrasal-prepositional verbs consist of a verb and two particles, the first an adverb
and the second a preposition. Ditransitive phrasal-prepositional verbs have two objects.
[30] They should be honest about it and put the plant up for sale.
(Greenbaum, S. 1996:286)
Other verbs of this type are: put (sth) down to, get (sth) across to, fill (sb) in on…
2.1.2 Positions of objects
The direct object normally comes after the verb.
[31] She eats berries.
(E. Warriner, J. & Graham, L.S. 1980:99)
In WH-questions and in nominal relative clauses it is fronted.
[32] Which books do you want?
(East Wood, J. 1994:30)
[33] A doctor examined the astronauts who returned from the space today.
(Alexander, L.G. 1998:18)
The indirect object normally follows the subject and the verb. Object assumes the
status of subject in the passive transformation.
The indirect object often comes after the verb and before the direct object:
[34] They gave him (O
i
) a watch (O
d
)
(Alexander, L.G. 1998:7)
but in WH-question it is fronted.
[35] Who (O
i
) did they give a watch (O
d
)?
(Alexander, L.G. 1998:7)
2.1.3 Possible realization of direct object and indirect object
The direct object can be realized by :
- A nominal group:
[36] She has made herself an extraordinary fancy-dress in the shape of a balloon.
- A finite clause:
[37] Most people recognized that some forms of taxation is necessary.
- A non-finite clause:
[38] People in western countries prefer to travel by public transportation.
- Anticipatory it + finite clause:
[39] I find it strange that he refuses to go.
- A prepositional group of time or place:
[40] Do not choose by a swamp for a picnic
The indirect object is realized by Nominal groups and Nominal relative clauses:
[41] I love her (Pron).
[42] I know where she has been.
2.1.4 SVOO SVOA transformation
The sentence type SVOO can be easily transformed into SVOA where the Indirect
Object is substitued by a prepositional phrase and placed after the Direct Object (i.e with a
change of word order).
John gave Jane a card John gave a card to Jane
S V Oi Od S V Od A
We left her a book We left a book for her
S V Oi Od S V Od A
The commonly found prepositional phrases here are to/for + NP with their
recipient senses. Otherwise, with/of + NP are occasionally used.
I’ll pay you a game of chess I’ll pay a game of card with/against you
She asked Jim a favour She asked a favour of Jim
Below is the list of some common verbs, which allow the Indirect Object to be
replaced by a prepositional phrase, the preposition concerned, being indicated:
Ask (a question) of John Bring something to somenone
Do a favour for someone Do a disservice to someone
Find a place for them Give a book to someone
$$,,*
2.2.1 Material process
Material process is the process of doing. Every process has an Actor. Some
processes, but not all, also have a second participant, which is called a GOAL. In this type
of process, the subject means the Actor, O
i
compare with the recipient and O
d
becomes the
Goal of the action.
[43] The duke gave my aunt(o
i
) this teapot(O
d
)
Actor V
(material process) Recipient goal
Verbs belonging to this process are: give someone something, bring someone
something, offer someone something.
We have the Vietnamese equivalents:
5BCDEFCCG+HBB&
I>>J We’ll buy him (O
i
) a new car (O
d
)
Actor V
(material process) Recipient goal
Chúng tôi s mua cho anh y mt chic xe mi.
[45] She sent her this letter
Actor V
(material process) Recipient goal
Cô y ã gi cho ch y bc th này
2.2.2 Mental process
Mental process is the process of sensing which includes perception, cognition and
emotion (or feeling).The ditransitive verbs belonging to mental process are: teach someone
something, translate something for somebody, remind someone of something…
[46] We taught him (O
i
) this lesson.(O
d
)
Actor V
(mental process) Recipient (beneficiary) phenomenon (goal)
Chúng tôi ã dy anh ta bài này.
For more examples:
[47] This reminded me (O
i
) of my important task.(O
d
)
Actor V
(mental process) Recipient (beneficiary) phenomenon (goal)
[48] We’re going to translate this most important speech for the president.
Chúng tôi ang dch bài din vn rt quan trng cho ngài tng thng
2.2.3 Verbal process
This is the process of saying
[49] We informed her (O
i
) of the news (O
d
)
Sayer verbal
Process Receiver verbiage
The other verbs used in this type of process are: tell someone something, promise
someone something, ask someone something…………
For more examples:
[50] We told him (O
i
)this story (O
d
)
Sayer verbal
Process Receiver verbiage
Chúng tôi ã k cho anh ta nghe câu chuyn này
[51] We promise her (O
i
) good compensation.(O
d
)
Sayer verbal
Process Receiver verbiage
[52] They asked us (O
i
) why we didn’t attend the meeting.(O
d
)
Sayer verbal
Process Receiver verbiage
It can be seen clearly that in both languages, the same sentence patterns are used.
The only difference here is that the Vietnamese people often use the incorrect prepositions.
The Vietnamese learners often think that the preposition “cho” is “for” and “v” is
“about”:
Cô y thông báo cho tôi v tin ó.
She informed me about that news.[incorrect]
She informed me of that news. [correct]
$ "
)
2.3.1 Ditransitive verbs and their Vietnamese equivalents
A verb, which can take both a Direct object and an Indirect Object is called a
Ditransitive verb.
The Indirect Object is put immediately after the verb group, in front of the Direct
Object:
[53] My father gave him the two checks and told him to go quickly.
S=NP V=VP Oi=pron Od=NP
N1 V N2 N3
[54] The president promised him a good job.
S=NP V=VP Oi=pron Od=NP
5455=
In Vietnamese sentences, the structure is quite similar, there are two complements
standing after the verb. According to 5&KL*M , the above Vietnamese sentences
use the pattern N1 + V + N2 + N3 in which N1 is the first noun, N2 is the second noun and
N3 is the third noun of the sentence. V is the verb of the sentence.
