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.

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.