0
The Great McGonagall Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
HELP WITH DYNAMIC VERBS
Hi everyone
Can anybody help me with a slight grammar problem? I’ve been set an exercise where I’ve been given a collection of dynamic verbs and have to identify what ‘type’ of dynamic verb the words are. There are three ‘types’ of dynamic verb which the words can belong to: ‘activity’, ‘process’ and ‘momentary action’. Here is an example:
Word: Type: Example:
play ‘activity’“WC Fields plays snooker every day.”
melt ‘process’“Snow melts quickly in the sun.”
punch ‘momentary action’“Mike Tyson punched Don King.”
The problem I’m having is that some of the words I’ve been given don’t fit neatly into any one ‘type’. Take the word “eat”. You could say that eating is a ‘process’ as biting, chewing and swallowing is the process through which we consume food. However, you could also say that “eat” falls under the category of ‘activity’ as eating is a physical action which is performed. Then again, “eat” could be a ‘momentary action’ as it is a physical action with a definite beginning and end.
Another example would be with the word “work”. Is it an ‘activity’, a ‘momentary action’ or a ‘process’? I’m inclined to think of “work” as a ‘process’; however it’s just as likely to be an ‘activity’.
As you can see, I’m a little unsure of how to match dynamic verbs to their ‘type’, so any help would be more than welcome. Also, if anyone has any tips or tricks on how to classify dynamic verbs, then that would be great.
Many thanks.
Can anybody help me with a slight grammar problem? I’ve been set an exercise where I’ve been given a collection of dynamic verbs and have to identify what ‘type’ of dynamic verb the words are. There are three ‘types’ of dynamic verb which the words can belong to: ‘activity’, ‘process’ and ‘momentary action’. Here is an example:
Word: Type: Example:
play ‘activity’“WC Fields plays snooker every day.”
melt ‘process’“Snow melts quickly in the sun.”
punch ‘momentary action’“Mike Tyson punched Don King.”
The problem I’m having is that some of the words I’ve been given don’t fit neatly into any one ‘type’. Take the word “eat”. You could say that eating is a ‘process’ as biting, chewing and swallowing is the process through which we consume food. However, you could also say that “eat” falls under the category of ‘activity’ as eating is a physical action which is performed. Then again, “eat” could be a ‘momentary action’ as it is a physical action with a definite beginning and end.
Another example would be with the word “work”. Is it an ‘activity’, a ‘momentary action’ or a ‘process’? I’m inclined to think of “work” as a ‘process’; however it’s just as likely to be an ‘activity’.
As you can see, I’m a little unsure of how to match dynamic verbs to their ‘type’, so any help would be more than welcome. Also, if anyone has any tips or tricks on how to classify dynamic verbs, then that would be great.
Many thanks.
Top answer
There is a school of thought that claims that a single verb in isolation can't be classified as you are attempting to do. It is only the complete predicate that can be so classified. I agree, so I'm as stumped as you as to what to do with those verbs.
- There is a school of thought that claims that a single verb in isolation can't be classified as you are attempting to do.
- It is only the complete predicate that can be so classified.
- I agree, so I'm as stumped as you as to what to do with those verbs.
- Sorry.
- CJ
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
4 Answers
0
There is a school of thought that claims that a single verb in isolation can't be classified as you are attempting to do. It is only the complete predicate that can be so classified. I agree, so I'm as stumped as you as to what to do with those verbs.
Sorry.
Sorry.
00
Hi CJ
In which case how would you catagorise the verb "walk" when used in the sentence:"I walked home from the cinema last night"? Is the dynamic verb in this instance a process, an activity or a momentary action?
Best wishes.
In which case how would you catagorise the verb "walk" when used in the sentence:"I walked home from the cinema last night"? Is the dynamic verb in this instance a process, an activity or a momentary action?
Best wishes.
00
I have been in this business for over forty years and I still have problems with 'labelling'. As a teacher, I have found that certain labels, such as , for example, 'noun', 'verb', 'relative clause'' can be very useful shortcuts in our efforts to enable learners to use the language.
However, labels are a means to an end, not an end in themselves. I am more interested in whether a learner
However, labels are a means to an end, not an end in themselves. I am more interested in whether a learner
00
The Great McGonagall"I walked home from the cinema last night"? Is the dynamic verb in this instance a process, an activity or a momentary action?I'm afraid I'm in the position of having to say "None of the above". I can only judge by comparing this sentence to those you gave as examples in your first post.
The example of a process was a sort of sci
0
Related Questions