Verb Phrases Notes PDF

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Notes on Verb Phrases as discussed from lectures and seminars....

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AFL1501 Introduction to Descriptive Linguistics Week 4: Phrase structure – Verb phrase (A) Auxiliary verbs Task 1: Identify the different types of auxiliary verb in the following sentences: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

She might be going to the party Sally had been taught French at school Richard was threatened by bullies I could have been mugged! Mary had been being a pain in the backside.

Task 2: Think up three sentences containing a mixture of lexical and auxiliary verbs. Swap with your neighbour and identify the verbs in your neighbour’s sentences. (B) HAVE and BE: Main versus auxiliary Task 3: In the following sentences, identify whether the forms of BE and HAVE are being used as main verbs or auxiliaries. Where they serve an auxiliary function, what type of auxiliary are they? 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

They are being ridiculous He had been talking. She was beautiful. She will have a great time. They will have arrived by then.

(C) Substitution tests Task 4: In the following sentences, find the Verb Phrase using the two substitution tests. Are the tests always equally useful? 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

The horse galloped fast. The cat had been sitting on the mat. She was running away. She was being chased from her home. She should have explained herself....