Empty Verbs

An empty verb is a verb that is used as part of a phrase, but does not do much within it.
Verbs that often function this way include have, take, give, make and do.
"We had a talk" = "we talked."
"He took a shower" = "he showered."
I would say that take in "take a photo" would be an empty verb.

Blue JayAn empty verb is a verb that is used as part of a phrase, but does not do much within it.Verbs that often function this way include have, take, give, make and do."We had a talk" = "we talked.""He took a shower" = "he showered."

I agree.

Blue JayI would say that take in "take a photo" would be an empty verb.

I am not

I need to use the quote button at times like this, or be more selective, don't I?

Blue JayAn empty verb is a verb that is used as part of a phrase, but does not do much within it.
Verbs that often function this way include have, take, give, make and do.
"We had a talk" = "we talked."
"He took a shower" = "he showered."

Thank you, especially for this part

fivejedjonIf we had an intransitive verb 'photograph' or 'photo', then there might be a case for saying that 'take' is an empty verb. However, as 'photograph is almost exclusively transitive, I don't think 'take' here is empty. I think that 'take a photo' is qualitatively different from, for example, 'take a shower'.

How about have fun or make a nois

Dear Behnam,

I won't go for the "fun" thing since it's not a verb at all.
But about "noise", it can be possible since it's a verb although it's outmoded now.

Cheers,

Iman