Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Explain verb phrase complement in English Grammar
2. Describe two grammatical forms that can function as Verb Phrase Complements
3. Construct sentences containing phrase complements with adverbial plus to (infinitive)
4. Understand the concept of verb phrase and its various complements
5. Identify and compose complements using adverbials and adverbial phrase complements

Learning Activities

1. Pupils in small groups, study two sentences to explain verb phrase complement
2. Pupils, as a class, are guided to classify verb phrase complement into two: a. Prepositional phrase b. Adverbial phrase
3. Pupils pair up with their peers to explain verb phrases and compose sentences with verb phrase complements (e.g verb phrase). The teacher guides pupils to identify modifiers, auxiliary verbs participles, modifies and complements. (at the intends to buy a new car (2) She has to pass the examination (c) She then happens to own the cause.

Embedded Core Skills

1. Communication and Collaboration
2. Critical thinking and problem solving
3. Leadership skills and Personal Development
4. Creativity and Imagination

Learning Materials

• Whiteboard
• Markers
• Handouts and markers
• Textbook with examples of verb phrases and their complements

Content

Verb Phrase as Verb Phrase Compliment (Using verbs phrase complements plus adverbial)

A verb phrase complement is a phrase that complements the main verb in a sentence by describing the manner in which the action is performed. Using phrases and their complements can be used to indicate how an action is done. Example: “he sings beautifully to entertain his audience” is this example “to entertain his audience” functions as a complement to the verb phrase “sings beautifully” as the sings.

In grammar, a verb phrase is a group of words that includes a main verb and any auxiliaries, particles, modifiers, objects, and complements that go with it. A following phrase is a type of verb phrase that includes the word “to” and the rest of the verb phrase. The base form of a verb is the version of the verb that does not include “-s”, “-ed”, “-ing”, or any other suffixes. For example, the base form of “runs” is “run” and the base form of “played” is “play”. Verb phrases can include base form verbs as well as some infinitive verbs plus take verb phrases as direct objects.

A verb phrase is a grammatical construction that includes a main verb and any auxiliary verbs that accompany it. In English grammar, a verb phrase can be characterized by several components:

• Direct Objects: These are nouns or pronouns that receive the action of the verb. For example, in the sentence “I kicked the ball,” “ball” is the direct object.
• Indirect Objects: These are nouns or pronouns that indicate to or for whom or what the action of the verb is performed. For example, in the sentence “I gave him the book,” “him” is the indirect object.
• Objects of prepositions: These are nouns or pronouns that follow prepositions and complements that modify the verb. For example, in the sentence “She walked through the park,” “park” is the object of the preposition “through.”
• Adverbial phrases: These are phrases that modify the verb and indicate when, where, or how the action is performed. For example, in the sentence “I will study hard,” “hard” is an adverbial phrase modifying the verb “study.”
• Modal auxiliaries: These are verb forms that modify the meaning of the main verb. They are often described by the main verb. For example, in the sentence “I might go to the party,” “might” is a modal auxiliary modifying the main verb “go.”

Describe two grammatical forms that can function as Verb Phrase Complements

1. Direct Objects: A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb. In answers to the question “what?” or “whom?” after the subject of the sentence is doing (verb). For example, in the sentence “I kicked the ball,” the word “ball” functions as a direct object. This is the element object that the verb “kicked” acts upon. 
2. Adverbial Phrases: An adverbial phrase is a phrase that modifies the verb and indicates when, where, or how the action is performed. These phrases are typically introduced by prepositions such as “in,” “on,” “at,” “by,” “with,” etc. For example, in the sentence “I will study hard,” “hard” is an adverbial phrase modifying the verb “study.” It indicates when the action will be performed. 

Examples

1. Which of the following is an example of a direct object? a) “I kicked the ball” b) “I will study later” c) “I am happy to be here” d) none of the above 
2. Which of the following is an example of an adverbial phrase? a) “I kicked the ball” b) “I will study later” c) “I am happy” d) all of the above 
3. Which of the following is a direct object? a) “ball” b) “later” c) “happy” 
4. Which of the following is an adverbial phrase? a) “I kicked” b) “the ball” c) “will study later” 
5. In the sentence “I will study hard,” what receives the action of the verb? a) Direct Object b) Indirect c) Object of preposition d) Adverbial phrase 
6. What is the grammatical term for the object in “I threw the ball hard where ‘hard’ modifies the verb phrase?” a) Direct object b) Adverbial phrase c) Object of preposition 
7. In the sentence “I helped him finish his homework,” what is the indirect object? a) “I” b) “him” c) “finish” d) “homework” 
8. In this sentence, which word functions as an adverbial phrase? a) “him” b) “finish” c) “hard” d) none 
9. Which of the following that shows direct object function as the object of the sentence? a) “homework” b) “finish” c) “him” d) all of the above subject of the sentence 
10. What is the grammatical form that indicates when, where, or how the action is performed? a) Direct Object b) Adverbial phrase c) Object of preposition 

More explanation on sentences on using phrase complement with adverbial plus to (infinitive)

1. Sentence beginning with adverbial phrase: The sentence may begin with an infinitive phrase complementing the verb “decided” and modifying it with the adverbial phrase “to maintain good health.” 
2. Infinitive phrase as verb phrase complement: The phrase “to maintain good health” functions as an infinitive phrase complementing the verb “decided” and modifying it with the adverbial phrase “to maintain good health.” 
3. The plans to study hard to achieve his goals: The sentence starts with an infinitive phrase “to achieve his goals” complementing the verb “plans” and modifying it with the adverbial phrase. The adverbial phrase “to achieve his goals.” 
4. Sentence with verb phrase complement plus adverbial: The sentence “I decided to help the community” contains an infinitive phrase complementing the verb “decided” by mentioning in help the community” is an infinitive phrase complementing the verb “help” and modifying it with the adverbial phrase “by volunteering” to help the community. 
5. Complex sentence with multiple complements: The sentence “She plans to study in the library to prepare for her exams” contains an infinitive phrase complementing the verb “plans” and modifying it with the adverbial phrase “to prepare for her exams.”