Complex Subject & Complex Object

Complex Object: verb + object + infinitive/-ing, e.g. I want you to help me, I saw him cross the road, She made him apologize. Complex Subject: subject + is said/thought/believed + to-infinitive, e.g. He is said to be very rich. She seems to know the answer.

Complex Object is used after verbs like want, expect, ask, tell + object + to-infinitive: I want you to call me tonight. After verbs of perception (see, hear, watch, feel) + object + base verb (for a complete action) or -ing (for an action in progress): I saw him cross the street (he crossed it completely). I saw him crossing the street (I saw part of the action). After make and let + object + base verb (no 'to'): She made him clean his room. They let us leave early. Complex Subject is used with passive reporting verbs (is said, is believed, is thought, is known, is reported) and verbs like seem, appear, happen + to-infinitive: The bridge is said to be the longest in the country. She seems to be upset about something.

+ Verb + object + (to +) base verb/-ing / Subject + is said/seems + to-infinitive

• I want her to join our team.
• I saw them leave the building.
• He is said to be a brilliant chess player.

− Verb + object + not to + verb / Subject + doesn't seem + to-infinitive

• She asked him not to be late.
• He doesn't seem to understand the task.

? Do you want him to...? / Does he seem to...?

• Do you want me to call you back?
• Does she seem to know what's wrong?

• ENI want you to finish this report by tomorrow.

  KZМен сенің бұл есепті ертеңге дейін аяқтауыңды қалаймын.

  RUЯ хочу, чтобы ты закончил этот отчёт к завтрашнему дню.

• ENWe expect the team to win the championship.

  KZБіз команданың чемпионатты жеңетінін күтеміз.

  RUМы ожидаем, что команда выиграет чемпионат.

• ENI saw him cross the road just before the accident.

  KZМен оның апаттан бұрын жолды кесіп өткенін көрдім.

  RUЯ видел, как он перешёл дорогу незадолго до аварии.

• ENShe heard someone knocking at the door.

  KZОл біреудің есікті қағып тұрғанын естіді.

  RUОна услышала, как кто-то стучит в дверь.

• ENMy parents let me stay out late at weekends.

  KZАта-анам маған демалыс күндері кеш қайтуыма рұқсат береді.

  RUРодители разрешают мне допоздна гулять по выходным.

• ENThe teacher made us rewrite the whole essay.

  KZМұғалім бізге бүкіл эссені қайта жаздырды.

  RUУчитель заставил нас переписать всё сочинение.

• ENHe is said to have won millions in the lottery.

  KZОл лотереяда миллиондаған ақша ұтты деп айтылады.

  RUГоворят, что он выиграл миллионы в лотерею.

• ENThis ancient castle is believed to be haunted.

  KZБұл ежелгі сарай елестер мекендейді деп сенеді.

  RUСчитается, что в этом старинном замке водятся привидения.

• ENShe seems to be very happy with her new job.

  KZОл жаңа жұмысына өте риза болып көрінеді.

  RUКажется, она очень довольна своей новой работой.

• ENThey appear to have forgotten about the meeting.

  KZОлар жиналыс туралы ұмытып кеткен сияқты.

  RUПохоже, они забыли о встрече.

• ✗ I want that you help me.

  ✓ I want you to help me.

  Want is followed by object + to-infinitive, not a that-clause.

• ✗ She made him to clean the room.

  ✓ She made him clean the room.

  Make + object is followed by the base verb without 'to'.

• ✗ They let us to leave early.

  ✓ They let us leave early.

  Let + object is followed by the base verb without 'to'.

• ✗ It is said he is rich.

  ✓ He is said to be rich.

  Complex Subject structure needs the person as subject + is said + to-infinitive.

Complex Object vs Complex Subject

Complex Object has an active subject acting on another person's action (I want him to go). Complex Subject turns a passive reporting verb or seem/appear into the main verb, with the person as the subject of the whole sentence (He is said to be rich; She seems to be tired).

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