1. VERB PHRASE

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Lexical Verbs (also called "main verbs") These are verbs that really mean something, they tell us something. e.g. walk, write, play, go, etc.

5. 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.

6. Verbs

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. Dynamic versus Stative Verbs STATIVE SENSEDYNAMIC 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.

13. 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.

14. 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)

15. Transitive and Intransitive Verbs Intransitive verbs do not permit any object or subject / object complements. e.g. The train arrived.

16. 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.

17. 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.