There is a special kind of object in English that has the following peculiarities.
- It is used with intransitive verbs though it has no
- It is expressed by a noun that is either of the same root as the verb or is similar to it in meaning.
- It is almost regularly attended by an attribute with which it forms a combination that is close in meaning to an adverbial modifier: to live a happy life – to live happily.
The cognate object is generally used in such combinations as: to smile a sad smile, to laugh a bitter laugh, to die a violent death, etc.
But she died a dreadful death, poor soul… (Collins)
That night the roused forces of Good and Evil fought their terrible fight for her soul… (Collins)
For the next four days he lived a simple and blameless life on thin captain’s biscuits. (Jerome)