Light Verbs 

Dive into light verbs like 'have' in 'have a smoke'. Detailed explanations and a quiz to test your knowledge.

"Light Verbs" in English Grammar

What Are Light Verbs?

Some verbs are often used in combination with specific nouns and derive their meaning from the meaning of the noun. These verbs are called light verbs (also known as delexical verbs) because they do not contribute to the meaning of the sentence and are used to complete its grammatical structure.

Common Light Verbs in English

The most common light verbs in English are:

Light Verb: Take

'Take' as a light verb can be used with different nouns, such as:

take a shower/a bath

take a break/a nap

take a breath

take care/care of

take a turn

take a seat

take a chance/a risk

take a photograph

Example

I usually take a nap in the afternoon.

He takes a shower every day.

Light Verb: Make

'Make' as a light verb can be used with different nouns, such as:

make a mistake

make a decision

make a phone call

make an effort

make a suggestion/a point

make a sound/noise

make a mess

make a start

Example

Stop making such a mess!

You're making too much noise. Don't make a sound!

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Light Verb: Have

'Have' as a light verb can be used with different nouns, such as:

1.

to have a meal/breakfast/lunch/dinner/a cigarette/a drink

2.

to have a chat/a conversation/a discussion/a talk

3.

to have a bath/a shower/a wash

4.

to have an argument/a dispute/a fight/a quarrel

5.

to have a meeting/a party/a concert

6.

to have a headache/trouble

7.

to have a baby

Example

Won't you have a drink before you go?

We're having a party on Saturday.

Take & Have

The light verbs 'take' and 'have' are commonly used with nouns that have the same form as verbs, such as:

to take a look/a walk/a swim

to have a look/a bite/a listen/a swim

Light Verb: Give

'Give' as a light verb can be used with different nouns, such as:

to give a cry/a laugh/a punch/a slap

to give a hug/a kiss/a stroke

to give advice/information/a lecture/a speech/a warning

to give a permission/a chance

to give examples/directions

Example

Let me give you some advice.

Don't move until I give the signal.

Light Verb: Go

As a light verb, 'go' is most commonly used with gerunds that represent common everyday activities:

to go shopping

to go swimming

to go walking

to go dancing

to go running

Example

Let's go dancing!

They have gone shopping.

Tip!

When used with nouns that show movement such as (jog, ride, swim, run, stroll, walk, etc.), 'go' can also take the preposition 'for' before the noun:

Example

We went for a walk in the park.

I usually go for a run every morning.

Light Verb: Do

'Do' as a light verb, is used most commonly with gerunds that represent chores (especially house chores), such as cooking, drying, washing, cleaning, etc.

Example

Her mother does all the cooking in their house.

You should do the washing right now!

'Do' can also be used with other nouns when it is obvious what the action is, such as:

do a job/one's homework/exercise/business

do one's hair/teeth

do the dishes

Example

I'll do the dishes, you do the washing.

Have they done their homework?

Warning!

All these verbs can function as full verbs that contribute meaning to the sentence. Additionally, 'do' and 'have' can be auxiliary verbs. The light verb usage is only one of the possible usages of a verb. Compare the examples:

Example

I took her hand to we walked across the street.

Here, 'take' is a full verb which means 'to hold.'

We took our seats in the train.

In this sentence, 'take' is a light verb which derives its meaning from the noun 'seat.'

I have seen that movie before.

'have' as an auxiliary verb used in formation of the perfect tense.

I had breakfast in a nice café near the train station.

'have' as a light verb. Notice that when used as a light verb, it cannot be negated or inverted the way the auxiliary form does.

Alternative Constructions

Many constructions made using light verbs have equivalent full verbs that can express the same meaning. Using the light verbs instead of their alternatives can help add diversity to language.

Example

I stepped out to have a smoke.

I stepped out to smoke.

Here, 'smoke' is used as a verb with the same meaning as 'have a smoke'.

Review

In English, there are some verbs that are used with specific nouns and express a fixed meaning, which often depends on the meaning of the noun rather than the verb. These kinds of verbs are called 'light verbs.' Common English light verbs include:

take

I have to take a shower before leaving the house.

make

Can I make a phone call by your phone?

have

We have had a short chat with each other.

give

Ross is supposed to give a lecture tomorrow.

go

We went driving on the narrow road.

do

Mark does sport regularly.

Quiz:


1.

Which sentence correctly uses a light verb?

A

She took the book from the shelf.

B

We gave the dog its food.

C

They made a suggestion during the meeting.

D

He had seen the movie before.

2.

Match each noun to the correct light verb.

a break
a shower
the dishes
a phone call
advice
give
take
have
do
make
3.

Fill in the blank with the correct light verb. (There is one extra option.)

Before the concert started, everyone was asked to

a seat in the auditorium.

You should

your homework before you watch TV.

Let's

shopping after work and find something nice to wear!

He is going to

a really interesting lecture about climate change tomorrow.

take
do
go
give
have
4.

Which sentence uses "have" as a light verb?

A

I have completed my homework.

B

She has a beautiful voice.

C

Let's have a conversation.

D

They have been waiting for hours.

5.

Choose True or False for each statement.

Light verbs carry most of the meaning in the sentence.

"Go" as a light verb is commonly followed by a past participle.

"Do" as a light verb is often used with activities related to chores.

When using "have" as a light verb, it can be easily inverted like an auxiliary verb.

"Make a decision" and "decide" express the same idea but use different structures.

False
True

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