Dummy Verbs

do dummy verbs give go have make take transitivity

Have you ever repeated a word too much that made you think How boring it got! You can use dummy verbs instead of repeated verbs.

intermediate

What Are Dummy Verbs?

Some verbs usually come with specific nouns:

Jessica took a breath = Jessica breathed.

Carlos is having a drink with his best buddy. = Carlos is drinking with his best buddy.

These verbs are called dummy verbs (also called delexical verbs) because the significant part of the meaning is removed from the verb and put into the noun.

Common Dummy Verbs in English

The most common dummy or delexical verbs in English are:

take
make
have
give
go
do

Dummy Verb: Take

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

take a shower/a bath/a wash
take a break/a rest
take a breath
take care/care of
take turn
take a seat
take a chance/a risk
take a photograph

I usually take a bath in the evening.

He takes a shower every day.

Dummy Verb: Make

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

make a mistake
make a decision
make a phone call
make effort
make a suggestion
make a point
make a mess
make a start

Stop making such a mess!

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

Dummy Verb: Have

Using the Dummy Verb 'Go' in a Sentence

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

to have a meal/breakfast/lunch/dinner/a meal/a cigarette/a drink
to have a chat/a conversation/a discussion/a talk
to have a bath/a shower/a wash
to have an argument/a dispute/a fight/a quarrel
to have a meeting/a party/a concert
to have a baby

Won't you have a drink before you go?

We're having a party on Saturday.

Dummy Verb: Give

'Give' as a dummy 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

Let me give you some advice.

Don't move until I give the signal.

Take & Have

We use 'take' and 'have' with some nouns that are identical to verbs, such as:

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

Dummy Verb: Go

'Go' as a dummy verb, is used most commonly with -ing verbs that represent common everyday activities:

to go shopping
to go swimming
to go walking
to go dancing
to go running

Let's go dancing!

They have gone shopping.

Tip!

With verbs that indicate 'movement and 'motion' such as (jog, ride, swim, run, stroll, a walk, etc.), we use this structure:

go for a ...

We went for a walk in the park.

I usually go for a run every morning.

Dummy Verb: Do

'Do' as a dummy verb, is used most commonly with -ing verbs that represent chores (especially house chores), such as cooking/drying/washing/cleaning, etc.

Her mother does all the cooking in their house.

You should do the washing right now!

'Do' can also be used 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 one's car
do the dishes

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

Have they done the car?

Review

In English, there are some verbs that are used next to some other nouns and they make a complete meaning, which sometimes is related to the meaning of the verbs and sometimes is perfectly different. These kinds of verbs are called 'dummy verbs.'

a Quick Look Over Dummy Verbs


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.

Ergative Verbs

Ergative verbs are a type of verbs that can be both transitive and intransitive. In this lesson, we will learn more about this type of verbs.

Complex Transitive Verbs

There are five basic types of verbs: intransitive, linking, mono-transitive, di-transitive and complex-transitive verbs. In this lesson, we'll discuss the last.

Linking Verbs

Linking verbs are connectors of the language. Their only job is to link a subject with a subject complement. Want to know how?

Catenative Verbs

Catenative verbs, also known as chain verbs, are followed by other verbs to form a chain of two or more verbs. In this lesson, we will discuss them in detail.

Reflexive Verbs

Reflexive verbs are verbs that are used transitively to reflect back to the subject. Let us learn more. Follow the article.

Voices

What are voices? How many voices are there in the English Grammar? Here are the most frequently asked questions by learners. Let us find the answers, here.

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