UNIT 2: VERBS AND VERBS PHRASES
1. Define verbs.
A word used to describe an action, state or occurrence and forming the main part of
the predicate of a sentence
2. What is the function of verbs in syntactic terms?
In syntactic terms, verbs function as the immediate head of a Verb Phrase.
3. Inflection of verbs: definition and types.
Verbs have tensed and non-tensed forms, and have inflections either for “past tense”
or “present tense”.
- The non-tensed forms include the infinitive, participle -ing, participle -en.
- The tensed verb forms express tense, person and number.
4. Finite vs non-finite: difference and examples of each.
Finite verb forms express tense, person and number; whereas non-finite verbs don’t
change their form when the number or person of the subject changes.
5. List the primary vs. secondary forms of the verb: to find
- Primary forms: preterite (found), 3rd singular present (finds), plain present
(find)
- Secondary forms: plain form (find), gerund-particle (finding), past participle
(found)
6. If the verb is a primary form, the clause is finite.
7. Auxiliary vs. lexical verbs. Give examples.
- Auxiliary verbs are a group of verbs with very specific syntactic properties.
They are optional and cannot stand on their own. They must be followed by a
lexical verb, except when the lexical verb is understood. Example: should,
used to, be able to, would rather.
- Lexical verbs or main verbs have full dictionary meaning and are the main
elements in the Verb Phrase. Example: run, eat, dance.
8. What are the grammatical properties of auxiliary verbs?
- A clause containing an auxiliary verb is negated by the addition of the
negative marker not or /n’t to the first auxiliary verb;
- A clause containing an auxiliary verb is questioned by inverting the order of
the first auxiliary and the subject;
- An auxiliary verb may be used in short follow-up clauses to “code” the entire
verb phrase from the preceding clause;
- A clause containing an auxiliary verb may be emphasised by accenting that
auxiliary.
9. Types of lexical auxiliaries. Give two examples in case.
- be: be bound to, be sure to.
- have: have to, have got to.
- modal idiom: would rather, would sooner.
10. What type of meaning is expressed by modal auxiliaries?
Modal auxiliaries express ability, permission, capacity, suggestion order, obligation,
request or advice.
11. Give 3 examples of modal auxiliaries
To be allowed to, may not, need not.
12. Give 3 examples of non-modal auxiliaries
