The verb is followed by a noun group and a prepositional phrase which consists of on and a noun group. With some verbs, the preposition is sometimes followed by an '-ing'clause or a wh-clause.The passive pattern is be V-ed on n.With some verbs, the preposition is sometimes upon instead of on. Upon is a more formal or literary word.This pattern has one structure:Active voice: V n on n| | Verb group | noun group | on | noun group |
|---|
| Subject | Verb | Object | Adjunct |
|---|
| I | don't force | vegetarianism | on | patients. |
| The rebels | have inflicted | heavy losses | on | government forces. |
| He | lavished | attention | on | her. |
| We | will put | pressure | on | the authorities. |
| McClaren | sprang | a new idea | on | him. |
| Bitter youngsters | have turned | their anger | on | police. |
Passive voice: be V-ed on n| | Verb group | on | noun group |
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| Subject | Verb | Adjunct |
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| Every detail | was imprinted | on | his memory. |
| Hostile acts | were being perpetrated | on | the community. |
| Cheese | can be sprinkled | on | egg or vegetable dishes. |
Active voice: V n P on n, V P n (not pron) on n| | Verb group | noun group | Particle | on | noun group |
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| Subject | Verb... | Object | ...Verb | Adjunct |
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| I | would fill | him | in | on | what I was reading. |
| She | took | her anger | out | on | me. |
| | Verb group | Particle | noun group | on | noun group |
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| Subject | Verb | Object | Adjunct |
|---|
| | Pin | down | suppliers | on | delivery dates. |
| None of them | will put | down | anything | on | paper. |
Passive voice: be V-ed P on n| | Verb group | Particle | on | noun group |
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| Subject | Verb | Adjunct |
|---|
| This worthless paper | was palmed | off | on | the state-owned banks. |
| The young Humes | were thrown | back | on | their own resources. |
Verbs with this pattern belong to the following meaning groups: