These questions ask whether a verb connects straight to its object or needs a preposition. The safest method is to identify the exact verb and meaning before borrowing a pattern from a similar expression.
Test for the direct-object frame
Find the verb, then ask what or whom receives its action. With the verbs in this lesson, that noun phrase normally follows directly in the stated meaning. For example, a committee can discuss a proposal, a cyclist can approach a bridge, and a visitor can attend a seminar. The lack of a preposition is part of the verb frame, not a missing word.
| Direct-object frame | Related frame that may cause confusion | Original example |
|---|---|---|
| call someone; answer something | reply to or respond to something | call our mechanic; answer the email |
| discuss a topic | talk about a topic | discuss the route |
| enter a physical place | enter into an agreement | enter the studio |
| emphasize a point; lack something | put emphasis on a point; a lack of something | emphasize the benefit; lack patience |
| resemble someone; marry someone | look like someone; be or get married to someone | resemble her aunt; marry a musician |
| approach, leave or reach a place | move toward, depart from or arrive at a place | approach the pier; leave the village; reach the ridge |
| attend an event | go to an event; attend to a task | attend a workshop |
Use a substitution check only to expose the source of an error, never to copy its grammar. Respond needs to, but answer does not. Talk uses about, but discuss does not. Arrive uses at for a point, but reach connects directly. Also distinguish word classes: the noun phrase a lack of resources contains of, while the verb in a team lacks resources takes its object directly.
Extra words that do not belong
| Trap | How to reject it |
|---|---|
| Call to before the person being contacted | For telephone contact, the person is the direct object. Call on changes the meaning to visiting. |
| Discuss about or discuss on | Discuss already carries the link to its topic. About belongs with talk, so adding it repeats that function. |
| Enter into before an ordinary physical destination | Physical entry takes the place directly. Reserve enter into for a different frame such as forming an agreement. |
| The verb lack followed by of | The added word comes from the related noun phrase a lack of. The verb takes its object directly. |
| Approach to or reach to in plain movement statements | Related movement expressions can tempt you to add a link. With approach and reach in the stated senses, place the destination directly after the verb. |
| Marry to or marry with in the active verb frame | The active verb takes the spouse directly. To belongs to the separate adjective-like frame be married to. |
Try it
Use the verb answer, not reply or respond, and request a complete response. Which instruction is standard?
- Answer to the question.
- Answer the question fully.
- Answer at the question in writing.
- Answer on the question before class.
The intended meaning is that Lina looks very much like her mother. Which sentence uses resemble correctly?
- Lina resembles to her mother.
- Lina resembles with her mother.
- Lina closely resembles her mother.
- Lina resembles of her mother.
The meaning is that Noor was present at the lecture, not that she dealt with it. Which sentence is standard?
- Noor attended at the lecture.
- Noor attended to the lecture.
- Noor attended the lecture.
- Noor attended on the lecture.