Stretched verb
A stretched verb is a complex predicate composed of a light verb and an eventive noun. An example is the English phrase "take a bite out of", which is semantically similar to the simple verb "bite". The concept has been used in studies of German and English.[1]
Other names for a stretched verb include "supported verb", "expanded predicate", "verbo-nominal phrase", and "delexical verb combination". Some definitions may place further restrictions on the construction: restricting the light verb to one of a fixed list; restricting the occurrence of articles, prepositions, or adverbs within the complex phrase; requiring the eventive noun to be identical or cognate with a synonymous simple verb, or at least requiring the stretched verb to be synonymous with some simple verb.[2]
In English, many stretched verbs are more common than a corresponding simple verb: for example "get rid [of X from Y]" compared to the verb "rid [Y of X]"; or "offer (one's) condolences [to X]" vs "condole [with X]". Correct use of stretched verbs is about as difficult for EFL students as other types of collocation.[3]
See also
- Light verb
- Phrasal verb
References
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- Abstract / Concrete
- Adjectival
- Agent
- Animacy
- Bare
- Collective
- Countable
- Initial-stress-derived
- Mass
- Noun adjunct
- Proper
- Relational
- Strong / Weak
- Verbal
- Classifier
- Complementizer
- Conjunction
- Copula
- Coverb
- Interjection
- Preverb
- Procedure word
- Pro-form
- Prop-word
- Syntax–semantics interface
- Yes and no
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