account
advice
answer
example
information
interview
lecture
news
reason
report
speech
summary
talk
thought
warning
nouns used with make
3.44 Many nouns can be used after make.
The delexical structures using a lot of these nouns are closely related to reporting structures, which are explained in Chapter 7. There is usually a related verb that can be used followed by a reported clause.
She made a remark about the weather.
Allen remarked that at times he thought he was back in America.
Now and then she makes a comment on something.
He commented that he was only doing his job.
I haven’t made a full confession, sir.
Fox confessed that he had stolen the money.
The cricketers made a public protest against apartheid.
She protested that his comments were sexist.
I made a secret signal to him.
The Bank of England signalled that there would be no change in interest rates.
You made the right decision.
One candidate resigned, deciding that banking was not for her.
Here is a list of nouns that are used after make and have a related reporting verb:
arrangement
claim
comment
confession
decision
promise
protest
remark
signal
suggestion
Other nouns used with make express actions involving something being said, or describe change, results, effort, and so on.
I’ll make some enquiries for you.
They agreed to make a few minor changes.
They made an emotional appeal for their daughter’s safe return.
He made an attempt to calm down.
He has made a significant contribution to the success of the business.
Here is a list of other nouns that are used after make:
appeal
attempt
change
charge
contribution
effort
enquiry
impression
noise
point
progress
recovery
sound
speech
start
success
Note that, unlike the other nouns in this list, progress is uncountable.
nouns used with have and take
3.45 There are some nouns that can be used after either have or take. In general have is more common with these nouns in British English and take is more common in American English. There is sometimes a slight difference in emphasis: using have puts more emphasis on the experience, and using take puts more emphasis on the performer of the action.
One group of these nouns refer to physical activities.
I’d rather have a swim.
Have a drink.
She decided to take a stroll along the beach.
I took a bath, my second that day.
Here is a list of nouns that refer to physical activities:
bath
break
drink
holiday
jog
paddle
rest
run
shower
stroll
swim
vacation (American)
walk
Another group refer to actions that involve using our senses.
She should let a doctor have a look at you.
Even Sally had a little sip of wine.
A Harvard scientist was once allowed in to have a peep.
Mark took a bite of meat.
Here is a list of nouns that refer to such actions:
bite
feel
look
peep
sip
smell
sniff
taste
Verbs that can be used both with and without an object
3.46 There are several reasons why you can use verbs both with and without an object.
different meanings
3.47 One important reason for using verbs both with and without an object is that many verbs have more than one common meaning. For example, the verb run is used without an object when it is used in the sense to move quickly. But run has an object when it is used in the sense to manage or operate.
She runs in order to keep fit.
She runs a hotel.
She reflected for a moment and then decided to back out.
The figures reflected the company’s attempts to increase its profile.
I can manage perfectly well on my own.
I can no longer manage my life.
She moved rather gracefully.
The whole incident had moved her profoundly.
3.48 Here is a list of verbs that can be used both with and without an object, depending on which meaning you are using:
add
aim
beat
blow
call
change
cheat
count
draw
dress
drive
escape
exercise
fit
fly
follow
hang
head
hold
hurt
leak
lose
manage
meet
miss
move
pass
play
point
press
propose
reflect
run
shoot
show
sink
spread
stand
stretch
strike
study
tend
touch
turn
win
verbs that do not always need an object
3.49 Many verbs in English can be used with or without an object, with the same basic meaning. The object is not needed when it is obvious what type of thing you are talking about.
For example, you could say either She eats food slowly or She eats slowly. It is obvious in this context that what she eats is food, and so you only mention food if you want to emphasize the fact (which is unlikely), or if you want to say what kind of food she eats.
With verbs like these, you normally use an object only when you want to be specific or when you want to contrast what happened on one specific occasion with what happens normally. For example, you would say I’ve been studying history, as opposed to I’ve been studying, only if you want or need to mention the subject specifically, or if you normally study something else.
…a healthy person who eats sensibly.
Twice a week he eats an apple for lunch.
He raised his own glass and drank.
He drank a good deal of coffee.
He had won, and she had helped.