Can a verb be followed by a prepositional phrase?

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OG12 - Q120 states that the verb 'claim' should not be followed by a prepositional phrase.
Can we generalize to say that a verb cannot be followed by a prepositional phrase?

A firm that specializes in the analysis of handwriting claims from a one-page writing sample that it can assess more than three hundred personality traits, including enthusiasm, imagination, and ambition.

(A) from a one-page writing sample that it can assess
(B) from a one-page writing sample it has the ability of assessing
(C) the ability, from a one-page writing sample, of assessing
(D) to be able, from a one-page writing sample, to assess
(E) being able to assess, from a one-page writing sample[/u]
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by avik.ch » Thu Dec 27, 2012 9:04 pm
gmatrant wrote:Can we generalize to say that a verb cannot be followed by a prepositional phrase?
a verb can be followed by a prepositional phrase.

1. he acted like an expert. --- adverb of comparison
2. he kept on the table the book. - adverb of place
3. the book was on the table.

in 1 and 2, the prepositional phrase modifies the verb.
in 3, its a adverb predicate, telling us more about the subject.


A firm that specializes in the analysis of handwriting claims from a one-page writing sample that it can assess more than three hundred personality traits, including enthusiasm, imagination, and ambition.

(A) from a one-page writing sample that it can assess
(B) from a one-page writing sample it has the ability of assessing
(C) the ability, from a one-page writing sample, of assessing
(D) to be able, from a one-page writing sample, to assess
(E) being able to assess, from a one-page writing sample[/u]

D is the correct one. It also uses the same "verb + preposition".


hope this helps !!