Download Lecture 8: Verb and Verb Phrase Simple Present and Simple Past 1

Lecture 8: Verb and Verb Phrase
Simple Present and Simple Past
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1. Classification of verbs
2. Verb phrase
3. Simple present
4. Simple past
1. Classification of verbs
• 1.1 Main verbs
• 1.2 Auxiliaries
• 1.3 Dynamic verbs and stative verbs
1.1 Main verbs
Main verbs usually function as the head
of a verb phrase. When appearing in a
clause or sentence, some main verbs have
to be complemented by some other
element(s), and some can stand alone
without being complemented by anything.
From this point of view, we can see that
main verbs can be subclassified into five
types:
1.1 Main verbs
A) linking (SVC)
e.g. He is a teacher. (a teacher---subject complement)
B) intransitive (SV)
e.g. He shouted.
C) monotransitive (SVO)
e.g. He teaches English.
D) ditransitive (SVoO)
e.g. He teaches us English.
E) complex transitive (SVOC)
e.g. He considered himself very capable.
1.2 Auxiliaries
How many forms of auxiliary are there in
English?
Auxiliaries fall into three categories:
A) primary auxiliaries----be, do, have
B) modal auxiliaries------can/could, may/might,
will/would, shall/should, dare, must, ought to,
need, used to
C) semi-auxiliaries-------be able to, be sure to,
have to, seem to, etc.
1.3 Dynamic verbs and stative verbs
The distinction between the dynamic and
the stative depends on whether they can
occur with the progressive aspect.
e.g. Do you understand the question?
(stative)
? Are you understanding the question?
? He teaches /is teaching English.
(dynamic)
2. Verb phrase
a---verb + preposition
They are looking into the matter.
b---verb + adverb
I’ll bring up this question at our next meeting.
c---verb + adverb + preposition
I hate the way she made up to the boss.
d---verb + object + preposition
Why didn’t you inform me of the change of the plan?
e---verb + noun + preposition
We’ll take good care of him.
f---verb + object + adv. + prep.
They filled me in on (inform..of) the latest developments.
3. Simple present
In this section , you just note that simple
present refers to the future as well as to
the past.
3.1 Simple present referring to the future
3.2 Simple present referring to the past
3.1 Simple present referring to the future
 In that-clause following “I hope/ I bet/ …see (to
it) …/…make sure…/…make certain…”
 In if/ whatever/when-clauses, etc.
I hope you have (=you will have) a good time.
I bet it rains (=it will rain) tomorrow.
I’ll see that nobody disturbs (=will disturb) you.
If it is (* will be) fine tomorrow, we will go out
for picnic.
Whatever happens (* will happen), you should
keep cool-headed.
I’ll tell her when she comes (* will come)
tomorrow.
3.2 Simple present referring to the past
This use is usually found with
“communication verbs” such as tell, say,
learn, hear, gather, write, etc. to express
the present effect of information received
in the past.
e.g. I hear she has lost her son.
4. Simple past
The simple past can be used to refer to the
present and the future. Here two points are
to be noted.
(1)The simple past tense of such verbs as
want, wonder, think, hope can be used to
refer to the present and future, expressing
a less direct or polite attitude.
e.g. What did you want?
What do you want?
4. Simple past
(2)The simple past tense should be used in thatclauses following such construction as It’s time…/I
wish…/I’d rather…/I’d just as soon…as well as ifclause. Here the simple past refers not to a fact but
to a non-fact.
e.g. It’s time you went to bed.
I wish you studied harder.
I’d rather you went now.
If only I could speak French!
If I had money now, I’d buy a car.
I’d just as soon you were not here.
Exercise:
p167 (10A) p175(10B) p184(10C)
p190 (11A) p193 (11B/C)