Verb Phrase
VERB PHRASE 1 The structure of the verb phrase * In the verb phrase there is always an ordinary verb. There may be one or more auxiliaries in front of it. * Examples : * will steal * should have worked * must have been dreaming
2 Meaning in the verb phrase a) Tense - Past or Present?
Examples : * Past tense * She had seen a doctor. * She would have seen a doctor. * Present tense * She has seen a doctor. * She will have seen a doctor. b) Modality – possible or necessary?
Examples : * Possible * Carol may be injured. * Necessary * Carol is injured. c) The perfect – perfect or progressing?
Examples : * Perfect * They had won the competition. * Progressing * John is repairing his bicycle. d) Voice – passive or active?
Examples : * Passive * His bike was stolen by Ali. * Active * Ali had stolen his bike.
Exercises
Identify all the verb phrase in the dialogue below.
Ian : How’s your new flat?
Jason : Oh, it’s okay, thanks. We ‘ve been there a month now, and I think we’re going to like it. We’re decorating it at the moment. You must come and see us when we’ve finished.
Ian : Thanks. That’d be nice. You were lucky to find somewhere.
Jason : Yes, we were getting pretty desperate. We’d been looking for ages and couldn’t find anywhere. The flat wasn’t advertised. We heard about it through a friend. It’s quite convenient too. We get the train to work.
Ian : What floor is the flat on?
Jason : Well, we live right at the top, but there are only four floors. If therer was a lift, it would be
2 Meaning in the verb phrase a) Tense - Past or Present?
Examples : * Past tense * She had seen a doctor. * She would have seen a doctor. * Present tense * She has seen a doctor. * She will have seen a doctor. b) Modality – possible or necessary?
Examples : * Possible * Carol may be injured. * Necessary * Carol is injured. c) The perfect – perfect or progressing?
Examples : * Perfect * They had won the competition. * Progressing * John is repairing his bicycle. d) Voice – passive or active?
Examples : * Passive * His bike was stolen by Ali. * Active * Ali had stolen his bike.
Exercises
Identify all the verb phrase in the dialogue below.
Ian : How’s your new flat?
Jason : Oh, it’s okay, thanks. We ‘ve been there a month now, and I think we’re going to like it. We’re decorating it at the moment. You must come and see us when we’ve finished.
Ian : Thanks. That’d be nice. You were lucky to find somewhere.
Jason : Yes, we were getting pretty desperate. We’d been looking for ages and couldn’t find anywhere. The flat wasn’t advertised. We heard about it through a friend. It’s quite convenient too. We get the train to work.
Ian : What floor is the flat on?
Jason : Well, we live right at the top, but there are only four floors. If therer was a lift, it would be