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YETYland Posted 9 years ago
Grammar

Complex Object VS. a clause

I believe he is a genius. - > I believe him to be a genius.

I believed he had two mobiles. - > I believed him to have two mobiles. - sounds totally artificial to me.

However, I seem to find it difficult to pinpoint the difference between the original sentences that makes the use of the Complex Object in the latter one sound weird. Or is that impression of mine incorrect and the second sentence allows the CO just fine?

Thank you in advance,

YETY

  

Top answer

[1] I believe he is a genius . [2] I believe him to be a genius . Very similar meanings, but quite different grammar.

— BillJ

  • [1] I believe he is a genius .
  • [2] I believe him to be a genius .
  • Very similar meanings, but quite different grammar.
  • In [1] the underlined expression is a subordinate content clause functioning as complement of “believe”.
  • In [2], “believe” is a catenative verb and the underlined clause is a catenative complement.
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2 Answers
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[1] I believe he is a genius.

[2] I believe him to be a genius.

Very similar meanings, but quite different grammar.

In [1] the underlined expression is a subordinate content clause functioning as complement of “believe”. In [2], “believe” is a catenative verb and the underlined claus

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YETYlandI believe he is a genius. - > I believe him to be a genius. I believed he had two mobiles. - > I believed him to have two mobiles. - sounds totally artificial to me.

It's not as common to use 'to have' in this construction as it is to use 'to be', if that's what you're asking, and I think you are.

See the graph at the link below for a va

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