English intransitives with objects

an elusive grammar point in textbooks

Authors

  • Thaweesak Anansettasiri

Keywords:

intransitive verbs, cognate object constructions, pedagogical grammar, grammar books

Abstract

Some English intransitive verbs, such as live, smile, die, and dream, can actually take an object. A survey of many EFL grammar books at the advanced level found the lack of coverage of this grammar point amongst most of those grammar books. Moreover, an examination of those grammar books that deal with it found the lack of a clear description of this class of verbs. These show a gap between linguistic literature and EFL grammar books. To address this gap, this article argues for the need for the inclusion of a precise description of this verb class in grammar books. Capitalizing on data from a corpus and an online dictionary, this article also seeks to present a clear pedagogical account of these intransitive verbs that is in line with contemporary issues in grammar pedagogy. The account could serve as a model for the presentation of this elusive grammar point in teaching materials.

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References

Fight. (2020). In Oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com dictionary. Retrieved from
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Appendix: List of EFL grammar books
Azar, B. S., & Hagen, S. A. (2016). Understanding and using English grammar (5th ed.). White Plains, NY: Pearson.
Biesenbach-Lucas, S., & Brantner-Artenie, D. (2013). Next generation grammar 4. White Plains, NY: Pearson.
Collins. (2013). Work on your grammar: Advanced. London: HarperCollins.
Ediger, A. M., Santamaria, J. C., & Falk, R. (2016). Elements of success 4. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Foley, M., & Hall, D. (2012). MyGrammarLab: Advanced. Harlow: Pearson.
Hewings, M. (2013). Advanced grammar in use (3rd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Lloyd, M., & Day, J. (2011). Active grammar: Level 3. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Mann, M., & Taylore-Knowles, S. (2008). Destination C1& C2: Grammar & vocabulary. Oxford: Macmillan.
Maurer, J. (2012). Focus on grammar 5 (4th ed.). White Plains, NY: Pearson.
Swan, M., & Walter, C. (2011). Oxford English grammar course: Advanced. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Vince, M. (2007). Macmillan English grammar in context: Advanced. Oxford: Macmillan.
Yule, G. (2019). Oxford practice grammar: Advanced. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

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Published

2021-06-17

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Section

Research Article