Verbs Flashcards
(38 cards)
Function/ Morphological Classification of Verbs: Action Verbs
Express an action performed by the subject.
Examples: run, eat, jump, write
Types of Action Verbs:
Transitive Verbs – Require a direct object. (She wrote a letter.)
Intransitive Verbs – Do not require a direct object. (He sleeps peacefully.)
Function/ Morphological Classification of Verbs: Linking Verbs
Connect the subject with a complement that describes or identifies it.
Examples: be (is, am, are, was, were), seem, become, appear, feel
Example sentence: She is a doctor.
Function/ Morphological Classification of Verbs: Helping (Auxiliary) Verbs
Assist the main verb to form different tenses, voices, or moods.
Examples: be, have, do, can, will, shall, may, must, etc.
Example sentence: She has finished her homework.
Function/ Morphological Classification of Verbs: Modal Verbs
Express ability, possibility, necessity, or permission.
Examples: can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must
Example sentence: You must study for the test.
Form/ Syntactic & Semantic Classification of Verbs: Regular Verbs
Follow a predictable pattern in their past tense and past participle forms (by adding “-ed”).
Examples: walk → walked, play → played
Form/ Syntactic & Semantic Classification of Verbs: Irregular Verbs
Do not follow a standard pattern in their past tense and past participle forms.
Examples: go → went → gone, eat → ate → eaten
Verbs by Syntactic Function
This classification deals with how verbs function structurally within a sentence, including their relationships with subjects, objects, and other sentence elements.
Syntactic & Semantic Classification of Verbs
This focuses on how verbs behave in sentence structures (syntactic role) and their meaning or effect (semantic role).
Examples: Action vs. Stative Verbs, Linking vs. Auxiliary Verbs, Modal Verbs
Morphological Classification of Verbs
This refers to how verbs change their form through inflection, conjugation, or derivation.
Examples: Regular vs. Irregular Verbs, Finite vs. Non-Finite Verbs
Verbs by Syntactic Function: Finite Verbs
Change according to the subject and tense.
Example: She writes a letter.
Verbs by Syntactic Function: Non-Finite Verbs
Do not change based on tense or subject.
Types:
Infinitives (to + base verb) – She wants to dance.
Gerunds (-ing form acting as a noun) – I love swimming.
Participles (used in verb phrases or as adjectives) – The broken window needs fixing.
Syntactic and Morphosyntactic Classification
Based on Voice and Mood
This category refers to how verbs interact with subjects and objects (Voice) and express different attitudes or possibilities (Mood).
Linguistic Terms:
Voice: Active vs. Passive → Diathesis
Mood: Indicative, Imperative, Subjunctive → Modality & Mood Systems
Aspectual and Aktionsart Classification
Based on Aspect and Continuity
This relates to how an action unfolds over time, distinguishing between completed, ongoing, or repeated actions.
Linguistic Terms:
Grammatical Aspect: Perfective vs. Imperfective (Progressive, Habitual)
Aktionsart (“Lexical Aspect”): Punctual (Momentary), Iterative, Durative, Inchoative
Modality and Pragmatic Classification
Based on Emphasis and Necessity
This includes verbs that add intensity, necessity, or obligation to statements.
Linguistic Terms:
Deontic Modality: Expressing obligation or permission (must, should)
Epistemic Modality: Expressing possibility or certainty (might, must)
Intensifiers & Emphatic Constructions (e.g., do in I do like pizza!)
Lexical-Semantic and Argument Structure Classification
Based on Meaning and Structure
This relates to the intrinsic meaning of verbs and how they interact with objects and arguments in a sentence.
Linguistic Terms:
Lexical-Semantic Classification: Action, Perception, Cognitive, Stative Verbs
Argument Structure & Valency:
Ditransitive Verbs (take two objects)
Ergative Verbs (switch between transitive and intransitive)
Causative Verbs (make, let)
Syntactic and Thematic Role Classification
Based on Function in Sentences
This refers to how verbs structurally behave in sentences and assign roles to nouns.
Linguistic Terms:
Thematic Roles: Agent, Experiencer, Theme, Beneficiary
Syntactic Function:
Linking Verbs (Copular Verbs)
Auxiliary Verbs (helping verbs in tense formation)
Pro-Verbs (replace other verbs, like do so)
Specialized and Typological Classification
Rare & Special Types
These include less common verb types, often found in specific languages or linguistic studies.
Linguistic Terms:
Performative Verbs (verbs that do what they say: apologize, declare)
Light Verbs (weak semantic meaning: give a speech, take a walk)
Existential Verbs (exist, remain)
Resistive Verbs (avoid, refuse)
Negative Polarity Verbs (dare, bother – only in negative contexts)
Syntactic and Morphosyntactic Classification: Active Voice Verbs
The subject performs the action.
Example: She wrote a book.
Syntactic and Morphosyntactic Classification: Passive Voice Verbs
The subject receives the action.
Example: The book was written by her.
Syntactic and Morphosyntactic Classification: Indicative Mood Verbs
State facts or ask questions.
Example: She likes ice cream.
Syntactic and Morphosyntactic Classification: Imperative Mood Verbs
Give commands or requests.
Example: Close the door.
Syntactic and Morphosyntactic Classification: Subjunctive Mood Verbs
Express hypothetical or wishful statements.
Example: If I were you, I would study.
Aspectual & Aktionsart Classification: Habitual Verbs
Express actions that happen regularly or as a habit.
Examples: used to, tend to, keep (doing something)
Example sentence: He tends to wake up early.
Aspectual & Aktionsart Classification:
Iterative Verbs
Indicate repeated or habitual actions.
Examples: knock (as in knocking repeatedly), stammer, flutter
Example sentence: The bird flapped its wings.
