Verb Phrase
What Is a Verb Phrase?
Definition of Verb Phrase
Verbs are words that are used to describe an action, like swim, drive, teach,
and walk. A sentence can only be considered complete it has at least one
verb
A verb phrase is a syntactic unit consisting of an auxiliary (helping) verb
preceding the main verb. It often contains a head verb, complements,
objects, and modifiers as its dependents.
Verb phrases move the verb one step further by including the verb,
complement, adverb, or object. A verb phrase like “He was walking quickly
to the bank” has a verb (walking) and a compliment (to the bank).
Functions of Verb Phrases
A verb phrase can also be defined as part of a clause or sentence
comprising a verb and, at the same time, describes more information about
the subject. It can also be described as a phrase that acts as an adverb or
adjective and comprises a verb and its complements, which may be either
modifiers or objects.
As a Predicate of the Sentence
Let’s look at some of the examples of verb phrase where the verb phrase
functions as a predicate of a sentence. Here, the verb phrase comprises of
the main verb and auxiliary verbs (also known as helping verbs).
o He was walking quickly to the bank.
o He should wait before he can practice driving.
o You must wash your clothes now.
o The graduate is writing a CV.
o These shoes may be worth thousands of dollars.
o Those employees are not trying very hard.
o James might eat chapatti.
As an Adverb or Adjective
