The thing verb does not need a prefix.

The thing verb does not need a prefix.

● Chen Qinglin

In English errors, transitive verb + preposition + object is a common type. A thing-like verb is a predicative verb and does not need to be referenced by a predicative verb. On the contrary, intransitive verb does not contain an object. There are many verbs. Although they are of the same nature, they do not have to have an object. For example, ① A and ② A are in this situation:

① A. We study every day.

B. Do you study English every day.

② A. Please write clearly next time.

B. Can you write your composition now?

If it is essentially an inanimate verb, there will be no object; if it is to be an object, it must be used together with the help of a prefix, such as ③ B and ④ B; ③ A and ④ a are incorrect;

* ③ A. The children are listening the music.

B. The children are listening to the music.

* ④ A. She is laughing the crippled man.

B. She is laughing at the crippled man.

On the contrary, a thing-like verb can carry an object without a prefix, such as ① B and ② B, or ⑤ and ⑥:

⑤ John is giving a book to me.

Who will answer this question?

If you accidentally add a prefix, it will be wrong, such:

* Who will answer to this question?

The following sentence from real estate advertisements also makes the same mistake:

"We have provided buyers awaiting for available units here ."

"Awaiting" is a thing-and-property verb. the prefix "for" is redundant and should be removed. Otherwise, you can change "awaiting" to "waiting.

Many people are used to adding a prefix to a verb and then bringing it out of the object. The most common are "emphasize/stress on/upon" and "Discuss about", such:

Using Singaporeans seem to have emphasized on material gains.

Stored in our education system, we stress upon examination results.

Please world leaders spent a lot of time discussing about worsening economical problems.

Obviously, the prefixes "on/upon" and "about" in these three sentences are redundant and unnecessary.

The following are some similar errors:
● The young must obey to their elders.
● Do not approach to that odd-looking man.
● The audience attacked on the rude speaker.
● Nothing can escape from his parents 'eyes.
● Do you hope to serve for your nation?
● When did Susan marry with Paul?

The prefix "to, on, from, for, with" must be removed.

Why are these errors? The main reason is that we cannot clearly understand the nature of the thing-and-thing verb. The second is to confuse the sentence patterns of the same verb and Its nouns. There are two solutions. First, we need to clearly divide "thing-like verb + object" and "thing-less Verb + prefix + object", such:

I did not answer him./I did not reply to him.

He reached londan yesterday./He arrived in London yesterday.

Second, convert a thing-like verb into a noun and add appropriate prepositions and objects, such:

Don't approach such a person.

Is oral practice a good approach to language teaching?

Lianhe Zaobao

<Chinese-English bilingual album