Sentence Patterns

[Tdol]

You're welcome.

[MikeNewYork]

Yes, and the original suggestion was that there were two objects, which is an analysis I don't go along with.

Whoa! Back up the truck.

IMO, the two objects are "his father" (IO) and "his sincerity" (DO).

Do you see it differently?

[Tdol]

I'm getting lost here, let me rewind. ;-\

[MikeNewYork]

I'm getting lost here, let me rewind. ;-\

The discussion did get a bit confusing.

[Tdol]

Sorry; I was talking at crossed purposes here. I got the idea that 'by...' was supposed to be the indirect object. You're right- there are two objects.

[MikeNewYork]

Sorry; I was talking at crossed purposes here. I got the idea that 'by...' was supposed to be the indirect object. You're right- there are two objects.

I'm glad you agree. Now I don't have to kill myself.

[Casiopea]

He showed his father his sincerity by cooperating with all his teachers at school.

If we change the order of the constituents, like this,

By cooperating with his teachers, he showed his sincerity to his father.

we see that the phrase 'to his father' is the IO and that 'his sincerity' is the DO. The phrase ''by cooperating...' functions as an adverb: It answers the question "By what means (did he show his father his sincerity?)".

All the best,

[Tdol]

Sorry; I was talking at crossed purposes here. I got the idea that 'by...' was supposed to be the indirect object. You're right- there are two objects.

I'm glad you agree. Now I don't have to kill myself.

Phew

[MikeNewYork]

Sorry; I was talking at crossed purposes here. I got the idea that 'by...' was supposed to be the indirect object. You're right- there are two objects.

I'm glad you agree. Now I don't have to kill myself.

Phew

:wink: