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Verb phrase


 

A verb phrase (VP) is a phrase whose head is a verb. A verb phrase consists of a verb, often one or two complements, and any number of adjuncts.

Related Topics:
Phrase - Head - Verb - Complement - Adjunct

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Examples:

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In the sentence

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Mary saw the man through the window. The VP is the whole sequence saw the man through the window, whereas Mary is the noun phrase (NP).

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In John gave Mary a book, the VP is gave Mary a book.

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And finally the VP may consist of a single verb

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The baby cried. Here cried is the VP.

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