Complex verbs

1. The Concept of Complex Verbs

Complex verbs are verbs that describe an action of the subject "assigning" a characteristic or identity to the object.

The above definition might seem a bit confusing, so let’s look at the following two examples:

• I find the movie boring.

  → The verb find "assigns" the object the movie a characteristic of being boring.

  (the movie = boring)

• They named the boy Alex.

  → The verb name "assigns" the object the boy an identity of Alex.

  (the boy = Alex)

They named the boy Alex.

2. Two Common Structures of Complex Verbs

- Complex Verb + Object + Adjective (assigning a characteristic to the object)

• He drives me crazy.

• She finds the story interesting.

• We painted the wall yellow.

- Complex Verb + Object + (as) + Noun Phrase (assigning an identity to the object)

• The council elected him (as) President.

• People consider him a hero.

We painted the wall yellow.

Depending on their meaning, each complex verb can be used in either structure 1 or structure 2. Next, let’s learn about the most common complex verbs in English and their meanings:

3. Common Complex Verbs

Below are common complex verbs arranged into groups based on their meanings:

Opinion / Feeling: believe = believe to be consider = regard as find = perceive as	Declaration: declare = declare label = label as, classify as name = name pronounce = proclaim, announce
Causing / Making: drive = make, cause make = make, cause render = make, cause send = make, cause hold = keep keep = keep turn = make	Allowing: leave = let set = let
Choosing: appoint = appoint elect = elect	Giving Opinion: rate = rate, evaluate judge = judge, assess

Examples:

• People consider him the best scientist of the 20th century.

• She pronounced him the winner of the competition.

• The earthquake rendered thousands of people homeless.

• Please leave me alone!

• They appointed her (as) captain of the basketball team.

She pronounced him the winner of the competition.