In English, there exist so-called complex predicates in the form of a light verb (have, give, make, do, take, etc.) + a predicational deverbal noun along with its corresponding simple verb. Even though the predicates are widely in use, a systematic study of their properties and use has not been succ...
In English, there exist so-called complex predicates in the form of a light verb (have, give, make, do, take, etc.) + a predicational deverbal noun along with its corresponding simple verb. Even though the predicates are widely in use, a systematic study of their properties and use has not been successfully carried out yet and thus the predicates still deserve scrutiny. Given that the light verb predicates have room to be examined, this paper first explores their morphological, syntactic, and semantic properties. It suggests that the subject of the complex predicates is subject to the selectional restrictions imposed on that of the corresponding simple verbs; their predicational nominals are identical to the simple verbs in form, retaining the (in)transitivity of the verbs, and taking an adjective modifier; the meaning of the predicates is analogous to that of the simple verbs. The paper then investigates the semantic characteristics of the complex predicates whose light verb is have, give, and take. It reveals the following facts. First, [have a deverbal N] describes an aimless voluntary activity of the [+agent] human subject and his or her involvement in a certain activity for a short period for his or her own enjoyment or relief. It also implies the repetition of and the absence of a time or space limitation on the activity being performed. Second, when taking an indirect object, [give a deverbal N] refers to an action or an activity intentionally carried out by the subject, emphasizes the impact on the indirect object, and shows a single performance of an action or an activity, whereas when lacking an indirect object, it may relate to a spontaneous or involuntary action or activity on the part of the (non-)human subject. Third, [take a deverbal N] expresses a voluntary or preplanned activity, relates to the subject"s physical efforts, and refers to a single unit of activity that is being completed.
In English, there exist so-called complex predicates in the form of a light verb (have, give, make, do, take, etc.) + a predicational deverbal noun along with its corresponding simple verb. Even though the predicates are widely in use, a systematic study of their properties and use has not been successfully carried out yet and thus the predicates still deserve scrutiny. Given that the light verb predicates have room to be examined, this paper first explores their morphological, syntactic, and semantic properties. It suggests that the subject of the complex predicates is subject to the selectional restrictions imposed on that of the corresponding simple verbs; their predicational nominals are identical to the simple verbs in form, retaining the (in)transitivity of the verbs, and taking an adjective modifier; the meaning of the predicates is analogous to that of the simple verbs. The paper then investigates the semantic characteristics of the complex predicates whose light verb is have, give, and take. It reveals the following facts. First, [have a deverbal N] describes an aimless voluntary activity of the [+agent] human subject and his or her involvement in a certain activity for a short period for his or her own enjoyment or relief. It also implies the repetition of and the absence of a time or space limitation on the activity being performed. Second, when taking an indirect object, [give a deverbal N] refers to an action or an activity intentionally carried out by the subject, emphasizes the impact on the indirect object, and shows a single performance of an action or an activity, whereas when lacking an indirect object, it may relate to a spontaneous or involuntary action or activity on the part of the (non-)human subject. Third, [take a deverbal N] expresses a voluntary or preplanned activity, relates to the subject"s physical efforts, and refers to a single unit of activity that is being completed.
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