LoginLight Verbs For Intermediate learners
Understand light verbs like 'take' in 'take a nap'. This lesson includes practical examples and exercises for easy learning.
What Are Light Verbs?
Light Verbs (also known as delexical verbs) are common verbs like 'go', 'make', or 'take' that have no meaning by themselves and take their meanings from the nouns they are accompanied with.
English Light Verbs
Although we use light verbs very often in both everyday conversations and academic or formal situations, the number of these verbs is limited.
Here is the list of English light verbs:
Have
'Have' as the main verb means possession. But, as a light verb, it can commonly appear with these nouns:
Have breakfast
Have a drink
Have a break
Have an argument
Have a conversation
Take
'Take' as a light or delexical verb can also be used with many nouns, such as:
Take a shower
Take a risk
Take care
Take a break
Take a photo
Make
We can use 'make' as a light verb with the following nouns:
Make a mistake
Make a decision
Make a phone call
Make an attempt
Make a mess
Give
We can also use 'give' as a light verb with the following nouns:
Give a hug
Give a shout
Give directions
Give evidence
Give orders
Go
'Go' as a light verb can be used with certain gerunds (-ing forms):
Go shopping
Go swimming
Go skiing
Go dancing
Go running
Do
Like 'go', 'do' can also be used with certain nouns or gerunds (-ing forms):
Do the dishes
Do the laundry
Do the ironing
Do the cooking
Do ones hair
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