Chapter 6 The verb phrase

Chapter 6 The verb phrase

1. Definition A verb phrase (VP) must contain a verb group (Vgrp), which consists of a lexical verb and, optionally, auxiliary verbs. Verb groups are sub-categorized based on the elements that must accompany them in the verb phrase, reflecting their complementation types.

   • 6.1. Monotransistive verb groups A monotransitive verb group requires a single noun phrase as its direct object. Ex: Students did their best (Mono-transitive verb) (Direct object) Since the verb group and noun phrase have a functional relationship, the noun phrase is represented as a sister of the verb group and a daughter of the verb phrase. When a noun phrase is the sister of a verb group with a [monotrans] feature, the noun phrase functions as the direct object.

2. 6.2 Intransitive verb groups An intransitive verb group does not require any additional element to form a complete verb phrase. Therefore, a single-word verb can function as both a complete verb group and a full predicate. For example: The girl slept

   • 6.3 Ditransitive verb groups A ditransitive verb group requires two noun phrases as complements: one as an indirect object and the other as a direct object. Example: “He bought his father a shirt.” “His father” is the indirect object. “A shirt” is the direct object. The indirect object can also be expressed using a prepositional phrase with to or for: Example: He bought a shirt for his father.

3. 6.4 Intensive verb groups - An intensive verb group needs a single compliment, which can take the form of an adjective, or a noun phrase, or a prepositional phrase. (be, seem, become, look, remain, taste, feel, sound, etc) - The complement of an intensive verb group functions as a subject predicate or subjective complement. Ex: Lan looks beautiful. (adjective) Diep becomes a pilot. (noun phrase) We are on holidays. (prepositional phrase)

   • 6.5 Complex transitive verb groups - A complex transitive verb groups precedes 2 complements: a direct object and an object predicate or object compliment. - The predicate can tack the form of an adjective phrase, or a noun phrase, or a prepositional phrase, or a participle or an infinitive, or an adverb phrase. Ex: Jack found the film extremely interesting. (AP) They are electing John their monitor. (NP) Mary is putting her lipstick on the table. (PP)i

4. 6.6. Prepositional verb group • A preposition verb group must be complemented by a prepositional phrase • Decide, glance, refer, reply (explain), etc. are the samples of the prepositional monotransitive verb groups Ex: The professor referred to the problem

   • 6.7. Ditransitive prepositional verb group • Monotransitive prepositional verbs Ex: They talked about her story • Ditransitive prepositional verbs Ex: She told me about her pity story

5. Nine sentence patterns • Pattern 1: S + Be + C (Adj/PP) • Pattern 2: S + Be + C (Adv) • Pattern 3: S + Be + C (N) • Pattern 4: S + V1 + C (Adj) • Pattern 5: S + V1 + C (N) • Pattern 6: S + V1[intransitive] • Pattern 7: S + V1 + DO[monotransitive] • Pattern 8: S + V1 + IO + DO[ditransitive] • Pattern 9: S + V1 + DO + C(N/Adj/Pro/Adv/Pre.Part./Past Part./PP/infP/bare infP)