Grammar - Verb phrase - Function and Examples

 

Verb Phrase

Function:

   

It's just as the verb functions as the head of the Verb Phrase, the Verb Phrase functions like the head of the Clause.

Complements:

Noun Phrases are the primary complements of verbs functioning as Objects of the Verb.

-NP Complement (Object): _ Ate the rat.

-PP Complement: _ Told it to him.

-NP Complement (Predicative Complement): _Is a cat

-Adj-P Complement (Predicative Complement): _Is sick

-Modifiers

-Modifiers in Verb Phrases involves adverb phrases (Adv-P), Preposition Phrases, and Noun Phrases.

 ------->They also include both finite and non-finite clauses.

Adverb Modifier: 

_ Slept recently

PP Modifier: 

_ Slept in the shade.

NP Modifier: 

_ Sleep tomorrow.

  Finite Clause Modifier (Content Clause): 

_ Sleep whether she needs to or not.

Non-finite Clause Modifier (“To” Infinitival): 

_ Sleep to avoid having to be petted.

Modifiers by Meaning:

  You can categorize verb phrase modifiers by meaning. Since these are categories of meaning not form (syntax) and (semantics), different phrases can fulfill the same role. For example, an adverb phrase and a preposition phrase could both express an idea of time.

Manner:

 _ Pounced playfully.

Place:

 _ Hid under the couch.

Time: 

_ Last Wednesday.

Duration: 

_ Purred until dawn.

Frequency: 

_ Meows every five minutes.

Purpose: 

_ Scratches to be let in.

Condition:

 _ Sleeps if she is tired.

Concession: 

_ Plays although she is tired.