Some verbs can only have two objects in the pattern direct object + for / to + indirect object: © for (These verbs include collect, fix and mend.) Mend this for me. (not Mend-me-this.) © to (These verbs include describe, explain and mention.) Dr Jackman will be describing this process to you in detail. (not Dr Jackman-will-be-deseribing- ee i (> See Appendix 8.4 (ii) and 8.5 (ii).) 2 Verb + object + adjective Some verbs (e.g. believe, consider, prove) can be followed by an object + adjective: We might consider first language learning natural ... (object = first language learning; adjective = natural) “€) This is usually considered rather formal. Less formal alternatives can be made with verb + £ object + to be or verb + that- clause: We might consider first language learning to be natural ... or We might consider that first language learning is natural ... (>See Appendix 8.7.) 3 Verbs + reflexive pronouns emma Let me introduce myself. I'd like to talk about what I call ‘private’ conversations = children talking to themselves. When the subject and the object of a sentence refer to the same person or thing, we use a reflexive pronoun as the object rather than a personal pronoun. The reflexive pronouns are: myself, yourself, herself, himself, itself, ‘ourselves, yourselves, themselves. After some verbs we can use a reflexive pronoun or leave it out with little difference in meaning. These include acclimatise ... to, adapt ... to, (un)dress, hide, move, prepare ... for, shave and wash: As my three year-old daughter dresses (herself), she likes to talk. We include the reflexive pronoun for emphasis. In this example, we might include herself to emphasise that she dresses without help. © Some verbs commonly used with reflexive pronouns can have different meanings when used _E with a personal pronoun. These include apply, compose, distinguish and explain: When a child is applying herself to painting a picture ... (= working hard at it) She took some sunscreen and applied it to her arms and legs. (= spread it on) (> See Appendix 8.8.) _ A few verbs are very often used with a reflexive pronoun followed by a particular preposition: busy ... with, distance ... from, pride ... on: "When children appear to be busying themselves with their toys... (> See Appendix 8.9.)