By UKA NWAFOR –
It seems the grammatical blunder is worse in the use of verbs than possible in others. It is NOT ‘felicitate with, clap for him, ordered for, requested for, emphasise on, comprise of, ’ etc, as a great many users usually say or write. Many don’t mind whether a verb is ‘transitive’ or ‘intransitive’. For instance, many are fond of saying or writing; ‘We felicitate with the winners of the competition.’ The verb ‘felicitate’ itself is transitive. This means that it should only be used with a direct object without an intervening preposition ‘with.’ Felicitate is synonymous to ‘congratulate, compliment, praise’ and all of that. And I’m not sure anyone can summon the guts enough to ‘congratulate, compliment or praise on someone’, instead of ‘congratulate, compliment, or praise someone.’ That is why ‘we felicitate the winners of the competition’ is perfectly correct.
Most of the expressions we use every day are colloquial. This means that they are informal and just communicative; only used to communicate to one another and send out our messages. Many often ask me, ‘Isn’t language serving its end when used to pass a message from person to another?’ Many think it’s of no use taking the trouble trying to master the correct use and appropriateness so long as they can understand and be understood. Unfortunately, many of our advanced users fall in this category.
English language is gradually gaining or, better still, has gained dominance over other languages of the world. All our essential (electronic) gadgets are now coded in English language. And social media which have become part of social life world-wide are made possible by these gadgets. It’s now become imperative for every people. Even who-grammar-help group is now fast adjusting knowing how difficult survival has become these days without a considerable knowledge of grammar.
However, learning English is not without challenges as it frequently frustrates new learners with variety of hurdles and stumbling blocks. This makes language learning, especially English very interesting.
We shall be considering TRANSITIVE VERBS in this piece—verbs that require (direct) objects.
Like many of the words in English, some verbs have dual functions. Some verbs can function both as transitive and as intransitive.
Being a transitive verb doesn’t necessarily mean it can only be preceded by direct object. Transitive verbs can be in passive forms; which means the object that takes the action comes before the verb. What is important in this case is that an object takes the action of the subject as made possible by the verb.
When I say an object, I mean ‘a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun’.
Note that transitive verbs are not to be used with ‘prepositions’. This means that a preposition should not be used in-between the verb and its object as many people commonly do.
For instance, the word ‘request’ shouldn’t be used with a preposition when functioning as a verb, because it is transitive verb.
Oftentimes, you hear people say, ‘I request for his help’. It’s wrong.
Correct: I request his help. ‘His help’ is a direct object to the verb ‘request’.
Wrong: we discussed about the matter yesterday.
Correct: we discussed the matter yesterday.
Wrong: we enjoyed very well at the ceremony.
Correct: we enjoyed ourselves very well at the ceremony.
Wrong: Thank you; don’t mention.
Correct: Thank you; don’t mention it.
Wrong: You tried; I really appreciate.
Correct: You tried; I really appreciate your effort (you, it, them) etc
Wrong: The manager emphasized on the importance of diligence.
Correct: The manager emphasized the importance of diligence.
Wrong: Thomas Emerson stressed on the need for self-reliance.
Correct: Thomas Emerson stressed the need for self-reliance.
Wrong: Many people possess of the ability to use language.
Correct: Many people possess the ability to use language.
Wrong: The class comprises of boys and girls.
Correct: The class comprises boys and girls.
Note: ‘comprise’ can take the preposition ‘of’ when used in passive form. Eg, ‘the class is comprised of boys and girls.
Wrong: The boy’s performance satisfies with his parents.
Correct: The boy’s performance satisfies his parents.
Note: The verb ‘satisfy’ can take ‘with’ if used in a passive form. Eg, ‘The boy’s parents are satisfied with his performance.
Wrong: The writer always acknowledges for sources.
Correct: The writer always acknowledges sources.
Wrong: We seek for government intervention in the deplorable conditions of our roads.
Correct: We seek government intervention in the deplorable conditions of our roads.
Also correct: We seek to know the reason for government’s silence over our deplorable roads.
Wrong: John demanded for more money to execute the project.
Correct: John demanded more money to execute the project.
Wrong: His presence aggravated on the situation.
Correct: His presence aggravated the situation.
Wrong: Jane ordered for goods from a supplier.
Correct: Jane ordered goods from a supplier.
Wrong: We felicitate with the Chairman on his assumption of office.
Correct: We felicitate the Chairman on his assumption of office.
Wrong: We discovered on the need for adequate preparation.
Correct: We discovered the need for adequate preparation.
Wrong: He embraces on the reality of life always.
Correct: He embraces the reality of life always.
Wrong: The man usually likes to bend on the truth.
Correct: The man usually likes to bend the truth.
Wrong: Some people don’t like accepting with the reality.
Correct: Some people don’t like accepting the reality.
Wrong: We clapped for the boy for his wonderful performance.
Correct: We clapped the boy for his wonderful performance.
Wrong: The officer wanted to intimidate against the man.
Correct: The officer wanted to intimidate the man.
Other verbs expected to take objects without prepositions are: interrupt, handle, honour, hurt, impress, interest, judge, pierce, persuade, swallow, transform, protect, purchase, recognize, scold, underestimate, slap, puzzle, remind, quit, offer, offend, grab, remove…
Worthy of note is the fact that all these transitive e verbs can be used in passive forms without any grammatical harm.
Examples: The matter was discussed yesterday.
He could not make use of the stuff he ordered.
A help was requested.
Our efforts were appreciated.
The interests of the members were protected.
The new officer was felicitated.
The following are also perfectly correct:
~I know what they always discuss.
~ They don’t have the money he usually requests.
~The items she usually orders are now very expensive.
~The permission she seeks may not be granted.
So, all the transitive verbs can be used as in the above.
It’s also worth noting that some of the verbs above can take the ‘prepositions’ only when functioning as nouns. Examples: ‘The boy usually places an order for more plates of food whenever we visit a restaurant.’ ‘John made a demand for more money to execute the project.’ ‘I made a request for some books from the library.’
The English language now serves as a language of international communication; a language of business in the modern world. Such that wherever one may hail from, and whatever native language one may speak, it’s very likely that learning English will certainly be invaluable both in one’s personal and professional life. Most peoples of the world do not have English as first or second language but for its demand for global interactions and transactions, they’ve found its learning very necessary.
Therefore, learning English grammar should be the priority of everyone.
I pause to doff my cap for the English grammar enthusiasts.
© Uka Nwafor
You can visit my Facebook page: English Grammar Clinic and Language Matters or (call: 08033935430). We can help you improve your speaking and writing skills.
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