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Eipjoo Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
verb phrase
He always helped out with the housework.
In the sentence, do we regard ‘helped out with’ as a verb phrase?
In the sentence, do we regard ‘helped out with’ as a verb phrase?
Top answer
I wouldn't, though 'help out' may be a candidate. 'With' is just a preposition introducing an adverbial prepositional phrase: He helped out with the housework. He helped out in the kitchen.
- I wouldn't, though 'help out' may be a candidate.
- 'With' is just a preposition introducing an adverbial prepositional phrase: He helped out with the housework.
- He helped out in the kitchen.
- He helped out on Saturday mornings.
- etc.
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4 Answers
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I wouldn't, though 'help out' may be a candidate. 'With' is just a preposition introducing an adverbial prepositional phrase:
He helped out with the housework.
He helped out in the kitchen.
He helped out on Saturday mornings.
etc.
He helped out with the housework.
He helped out in the kitchen.
He helped out on Saturday mornings.
etc.
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eipjooHe always helped out with the housework. In the sentence, do we regard ‘helped out with’ as a verb phrase?He always helped out with the housework.
The verb phrase is underlined.
BillJ
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I think eipjoo's looking for something more specific than the complete predicate, Bill. Did you want to define your concept of the 'verb phrase' for him?
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With simple sentences like the OP's, the predicate and the verb phrase are the same. Some very basic grammars define the VP as just 'the verb', but I think it's much better to define it as the verb plus its various dependents, i.e. complements and adjuncts.
In these examples, the verb phrases are underlined:
I like beer.
I hate that guy with the flashy ne
In these examples, the verb phrases are underlined:
I like beer.
I hate that guy with the flashy ne
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