Lesson 6: Verb Clusters | Easy English Subject

Verb Clusters are similar to noun clusters. They are composed of a headword which is a verb plus word, phrase, or clause modifiers.


A verb cluster is a group of words in which the principal word is a verb.

Examples:

1. He spoke eloquently. (word modifier-word verb cluster)
2. He spoke with great eloquence. (phrase modifier-phrase verb cluster)
3 . He spoke when he was moved to speak. (clause modifier-clause verb cluster)


All these modifiers refer to spoke and form verb clusters. Note the position of pretty and tall, gracefully and very well in the following sentences:

1. The pretty girl danced gracefully.
2. The tall boy spoke very well.



Pretty and tall come before girl and boy, respectively. They are adjectives denoting quality. Gracefully and very well come after danced and spoke, respectively. They are adverbs denoting manner.



The modifying word or phrase in a verb cluster may denote a place or tell where.

Examples:

1. He went there. (word)
2. He hid under the table. (phrase)


The modifying word or phrase may denote time or express when.

Examples:

1. He came yesterday. (word)
2. He came in the morning. (phrase)


The modifying word or phrase may denote manner or tell how.

Examples:

1. He walks fast. (word)
2. He works with great energy. (phrase)



Word and phrase modifiers may be found after the head verb or after the object.

Examples:

1. He speaks very politely.
2. He takes his lunch at the cafeteria.


Expressions of place come before expressions of time.

Examples:

He eats here (place) at twelve o'clock. (time)



Frequency adverbs, such as often, never, usually, seldom, generally, and the like, come after forms of the verb to be; but they come before other verbs and between verb phrases.

Examples:

1. She is never late.
2. She never comes late.
3. She has never come late.



Expressions of manner generally come after expressions of place but not afyer expressions of time.

Examples:

He came here walking last night.



Next Lesson 》Clause Modifiers | Lesson 7 》



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