[Grammar] Analizing a simple sentence.

[Mary Elizabeth]

In this simple sentence, ( I paid attention), is attention a noun or is it giving more details about the verb? Thank you.

 

[SoothingDave]

I would consider "to pay attention" as a phrasal verb.

 

[White Hat]

I would consider "to pay attention" as a phrasal verb.

Don't phrasal verbs consist of prepositions or adverbs?

 

[SoothingDave]

I don't know. It seems strange to me to think of "attention" as a direct object of the verb "pay" in this kind of use. That's the other way I would try to analyze it.

 

[mikelynn]

Hi, I really agree with Bennevis because from what I've learned, phrasal verbs are verbs and "particles"-prepositions or adverbs. I"d say that pay attention is an idiom; however, I don't know how to classify the word attention. Would it be possible that pay in this phrase would a copula/linking verb and, therefore, attention would be a complement? Just a try M&L

 

[Finicky]

I"d say that pay attention is an idiom;

:up:

Would it be possible that pay in this phrase would a copula/linking verb and, therefore, attention would be a complement? Just a try M&L

Nope. Object.

 

[Finicky]

It seems strange to me to think of "attention" as a direct object

Why?

 

[5jj]

I cannot see any problem here. I paid attention - subject, transitive verb, direct object.