LoginLight Verbs
Dive into light verbs like 'have' in 'have a smoke'. Detailed explanations and a quiz to test your knowledge.
What Are Light Verbs?
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
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
Stop making such a mess!
You're making too much noise. Don't make a sound!
Light Verb: Have
'Have' as a light verb can be used with different nouns, such as:
to have a meal/breakfast/lunch/dinner/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 headache/trouble
to have a baby
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
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
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:
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.
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
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:
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.
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:
Which option is correct about light verbs in English?
Light verbs carry the main semantic meaning in a sentence.
Light verbs are used only with modal verbs.
Light verbs are used with specific nouns that carry the main meaning.
Light verbs are only used in passive constructions.
Match each verb with the noun it accompanies.
Fill in the blank with the correct light verb. (There is one extra option.)
She always
s a bath before bedtime to relax.
They always
a big party for their anniversary.
He forgot to
his homework and got in trouble.
She didn't
a sound as she entered the room.
We usually
walking after dinner when the weather is nice.
Choose True or False for each statement.
Light verbs are also known as delexical verbs. | |
Light verbs can never be replaced with regular verbs. | |
The use of light verbs allows for greater variety in expression. | |
Light verbs are always used fixed nouns and have no other usage. |
Which sentence uses "take" as a light verb?
She took the book from the shelf and began to read.
Let's take the baby to the park.
He took the dog to the vet.
They took turns driving on the trip.
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