The Verb Group

Abstract

After a brief explanation of the verb group and its parts (4.1), this chapter deals with the morphology of the verb (4.2), and its functions and use (4.3). In both 4.2 and 4.3 the constituent parts of the verb are discussed in this order: infinitive (4.2.1, 4.3.1), present indicative (4.2.2, 4.3.2), present subjunctive (4.2.2.6, 4.3.2.1), imperative (4.2.3, 4.3.3), preterite (4.2.4, 4.3.4), past participle (4.2.5, 4.3.5), preterite subjunctive (4.2.6, 4.3.6), expanded verb forms (4.2.7, 4.3.7 with perfect 4.3.7.1, pluperfect 4.3.7.2, progressive 4.3.7.3–4, and modals 4.3.7.5–11), present participle (4.2.8, 4.3.8), gerund (4.2.8.1, 4.3.8.1), passive (4.2.9, 4.3.9) and extension of the verb group (4.2.10, 4.3.10). The final section deals with verb types (4.4), which includes impersonal (4.4.1), reflexive (4.4.2), transitive and intransitive (4.4.3) and other verbs (4.4.4). As it is difficult to keep a strict division between the accounts of morphology and function, readers are encouraged to consult both sections in order to obtain a full picture. The function and position of the verb group within the sentence as a whole are dealt with in Chapter 7.