VERB PHRASE
What are verbs?
Verbs provide the focal point of the clause. The
main verb in a clause determines the other
clause elements that can occur and specifies a
meaning relation among those elements.
However, there are many different kinds of
verbs, including lexical x auxiliary verbs,
different semantic classes, and single-word x
multiword verbs.
Verb Classes
There are various ways in which it will be
necessary to classify verbs. We begin with a
classification relating to the function of items in
the verb phrase. This distinguishes lexical
verbs from auxiliary verbs, and subdivides the
latter into primary and modal auxiliaries.
Lexical Verbs
(also called "main verbs")
These are verbs that really mean
something, they tell us something.
e.g. walk, write, play, go, etc.
Auxiliary Verbs
(also called "helping verbs")
These are verbs that have no real meaning.
They are necessary for the grammatical
structure of the sentence, but they do not tell
us very much alone. We usually use helping
verbs with main verbs. They "help" the main
verb.
Verbs
Dynamic versus Stative Verbs
Verbs are sometimes described as
"action words". This is partly true. When
verbs express actions or events they
admit the progressive aspect. For
example, words like run, fight, do and
work all convey action.
Dynamic versus Stative Verbs
Verbs in dynamic sense refer to:a) activity verbs: ask, call, drink, eat, help,
listen, go, look at, play, work, write, etc;b) process verbs: change, deteriorate, grow,
mature, slow down, widen, etc;c) bodily sensation: ache, feel, hurt, itch, etc;d) momentary verbs: hit, jump, kick, knock,
nod, tap, etc.
Dynamic versus Stative Verbs
But some verbs do not give the idea of
action; they give the idea of existence, of
state, of "being", which disallow the use
of the progressive. For example, verbs
like be, exist, seem and belong all convey
state.
Dynamic versus Stative Verbs
Verbs in stative use refer to:a)mental state: know, think, believe, understand, realize, recognize, suppose, doubt, remember, forget, imagine, mean, intend, etc;b)emotional state: love, like, appreciate, please, prefer, hate, dislike, fear, mind, wish, care, want, etc;c)sense perceptions: taste, smell, hear, see, feel;d)possession: possess, have, own, belong;e)other existing states: seem , look, appear, sound, resemble, look like, cost, owe, weigh, be, consist of, contain, hold, include, etc.
Dynamic versus Stative Verbs
As it was said before, "stative” verbs
cannot normally be used with continuous
tenses; however, some of them can be
used with continuous tenses with a
change in meaning.
Dynamic versus Stative Verbs
STATIVE SENSE DYNAMIC SENSE
1.I think you are right. 1. What are you thinking about?
2. I feel this is not true. 2. I am feeling fine.
3. That meat smells bad. 3. Why are you smelling the meat? Is it bad?
4.The cake tastes wonderful. 4. What are doing with my tea? I’m just tasting it.
5. I weighed 68 kilos this month. 5. The scales broke when I was weighing myself this morning.
6. I measure 75 centimeters. 6. Why is that man measuring the street?
7. I can see someone through the window./ I see what you mean.
7. I am seeing Philip tonight.
8. They have a spacious car. 8. They are having a party.
9. She loves her baby more than anything. 9. She is loving having John stay with us.
10. I consider him a fool. 10. I am considering taking early retirement.
11. He is a fool. 11. He is being a fool.
12. This tank holds 20 liters. 12. He is holding my hand.
13. This picture looks nice. 13. I am looking at this picture.
14.She appears very nervous. 14. She is appearing in a film.
Linking Verbs
A linking verb does not have much
meaning in itself. It "links" the subject to
what is said about the subject. Usually, a
linking verb shows equality (=) or a
change to a different state or place.
Linking Verbs
o Mary is a teacher. (Mary = teacher)
o That sounds interesting. (that =
interesting)
o The sky became dark. (the sky = dark)
o The bread has gone bad. (bread =
bad)
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
Intransitive verbs do not permit any
object or subject / object complements.
e.g. The train arrived.
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
Transitive verbs take a direct object (subject
+ verb + object). Some verbs, like give permit
an indirect object, and these will be
distinguished as ditransitive. A few verbs, like
make take an object complement and these are
among the verbs referred to as complex
transitive.
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
a)Monotransitive:
e.g. He speaks English.
b) Ditransitive:
e.g. She gave him the money.
c) Complex transitive:
e.g. They make him the chairman every year.