What does light verb mean?

Definitions for light verb
light verb

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word light verb.


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Wiktionary

  1. light verbnoun

    A thematically incomplete verb which only in combination with a predicative complement qualifies as a predicate.

Wikipedia

  1. Light verb

    In linguistics, a light verb is a verb that has little semantic content of its own and forms a predicate with some additional expression, which is usually a noun. Common verbs in English that can function as light verbs are do, give, have, make, get, and take. Other names for light verb include delexical verb, vector verb, explicator verb, thin verb, empty verb and semantically weak verb. While light verbs are similar to auxiliary verbs regarding their contribution of meaning to the clauses in which they appear, light verbs fail the diagnostics that identify auxiliary verbs and are therefore distinct from auxiliaries. Light verb constructions challenge theories of compositionality because the words that form such constructions do not together qualify as constituents although the word combinations qualify as catenae.

Wikidata

  1. Light verb

    In linguistics, a light verb is a verb that has little semantic content of its own and it therefore forms a predicate with some additional expression, which is usually a noun. Common verbs in English that can function as light verbs are do, give, have, make, take, etc. Other names for light verb include delexical verb vector verb, explicator verb, thin verb or semantically weak verb. While light verbs are similar to auxiliary verbs regarding their meaning contribution to the clauses in which they appear, light verbs fail the diagnostics that identify auxiliary verbs and are therefore distinct from auxiliaries. Light verb constructions challenge theories of compositionality because the words that form such constructions do not together qualify as constituents, although the word combinations do qualify as catenae.

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of light verb in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of light verb in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Translation

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"light verb." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 15 Nov. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/light+verb>.

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1 Comment
  • englishspeaker61
    I think what is missing (here and on the internet) is a complete list of light verbs and/or an explanation of why it may be possible to use other verbs that are not on the usual list. I have found take, make, do, get, have, go, give, be, hold, keep and set described as delexical or light verbs but is this a particular classification or a particular use? This would greatly help in the definition of what a light verb 'is'. 
    LikeReply1 year ago

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