3.56 Verbs which can take an object or a prepositional phrase

There is a small group of verbs which can be followed by either an object or a prepositional phrase. The verb 'fight' is one of these verbs, so that, for example, you can say 'He fought the enemy' or 'He fought against the enemy'.

• The Polish Army fought the Germans for nearly five weeks.
• He was fighting against history.
• The New Zealand rugby team played South Africa's Springboks.
• In his youth, Thomas had played against Glamorgan.

3.57

There is usually little difference in meaning between using the verb on its own and following it with a preposition. For example, there is very little difference in meaning between 'brush' and 'brush against', 'gnaw' and 'gnaw at', and 'hiss' and 'hiss at' in the following examples.

• Her arm brushed my cheek.
• Something brushed against the back of the shelter.
• Rabbits often gnaw the woodwork of their cages.
• Insects had been gnawing at the wood.
• They hissed the Mayor at the ceremony.
• Frederica hissed at him.

3.58

Here is a list of verbs which can be used with a direct object or a prepositional phrase, with little difference in meaning:

• boo (at), brush (against), check (on), distinguish (between), enter (for), fight (against), fight (with), gain (in), gnaw (at), hiss (at), infiltrate (into), jeer (at), juggle (with), mock (at), mourn (for), nibble (at), play (against), rule (over), sip (at), sniff (at), tug (at), twiddle (with)