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What Are Pro-Verb Phrases?
Pro-verb phrases are short words or expressions that replace the verb or verb phrase.
As a type of pro-form**, pro-verb phrases refer back to an antecedent and rely on it for meaning rather than having a sense of their own.
English Pro-Verb Phrases
Here is a list of common words that can act as pro-verb phrases in English:
So in Pro-verb Phrases
"So" is one of the most common pro-verb phrases in English which shows agreement between two actions.
"So" + Modals and Auxiliaries
'So' might be followed by 'be' as a main verb, as well as 'modal verbs' and 'auxiliary verbs' to avoid repeating a verb phrase, especially in short responses with pronoun subjects. If the sentence does not have any modal or auxiliary verbs, the supporting auxiliary "do" is added after "so".
When 'so' is used in this way, the verb and subject are inverted and there is no need to repeat the main verb. For example:
I'm studying tonight.
So am I. (I am studying tonight, too.)
They all joined the new gym.
After three weeks so did he! (after three weeks he joined the gym too.)
"So" in Exclamatives
In exclamative responses, 'so' is commonly used as a substitute for the verb before the subject and verb 'be', modal, or auxiliary verbs. In this case, no inversion is necessary. For example:
We're out of cookies.
Oh, so we are!
I can bake you a cake.
So you can!
"Do" as Pro-verb Phrase
"Do" is commonly used as an auxiliary to form a pro-verb when the antecedent verb phrase has no auxiliary, or when "do" is used in the antecedent as auxiliary for negation. Look at the examples.
She plays the piano, and her brother does too.
She works harder than he does.
They didn't complete the project, but we did.
"Do So" as a Pro-verb Phrase
'Do so' is used to refer to an action already mentioned. For example:
She asked him to leave, and he did so.
He claimed he could fix the car, but he failed to do so.
"Nor", "Neither", and "Either" with "Do"
Adverbs like 'not … either', 'nor' or 'neither' can be used in combination with "do" when the antecedent is a negative verb phrase. For example:
I don't think she'll be coming to the party.
Nor do I.
Neither do I.
I don't either.
"Do It" and "Do That" as Pro-verb Phrase
'Do it' is used when the subject is different from the subject of the antecedent verb phrase to avoid repeating the whole clause. For example:
He accidentally sent a message to the wrong person.
I do it all the time. (I send a message to the wrong person all the time.)
'Do that' is used to refer back to deliberate actions because it is more emphatic. For example:
Let's eat out tonight.
Let's not do that.
I want to take a break from all that and go on a trip.
I really think you should do that.
Modal Verbs as Pro-verb Phrases
Modal verbs can also serve as pro-verb phrases to avoid repetition of the main verb phrase. Take a look at the examples:
You should go to the doctor.
I know I should, but I have so much work to finish.
Who can tell what will happen next season?
No one can (No one can tell what will happen next season).
Why can't she do it?
She can (do it), but she won't (do it).
The Particle 'To' as Pro-verb Phrase
A to-infinitive consists of the particle 'to' plus a bare infinitive. Since the bare infinitive verb carries the meaning of the verb, the particle 'to' can act as a pro-verb to avoid repeating the verb. Take a look at the examples:
Make up your bed and brush your teeth.
I don't want to (make up my bed and brush my teeth).
What did he say?
He refused to make up his bed and brush his teeth when I told him to (make up his bed and brush his teeth).
Review
Pro-verb phrases are words or phrases that replace a verb phrase to avoid repeating it. Some of the common words that form pro-verb phrases are:
so
do
modal verbs
infinitival "to"
Quiz:
Which of the following sentences correctly uses "so" as a pro-verb phrase?
She studied hard, and so her sister.
He works every weekend, so do I.
They finished the project early, so they did.
We met our new neighbors, and so they did.
Rearrange the words to form a complete sentence that uses a pro-verb phrase.
Match each incomplete sentence with the correct ending based on the use of pro-forms.
Fill the blanks with the suitable pro-verb phrase to complete each conversation. (There is one extra option.)
A: I'm joining the eco-club this semester. B:
.
A: Ethan promised to donate to the shelter this holiday season. B: I plan to
as well.
A: I don't enjoy horror films. B:
.
A: Jenna accidentally misplaced her keys during the morning rush. B: I
all the time.
Which sentence uses the particle "to" as a pro-verb phrase?
He needs to finish his assignment quickly, but he can't.
I asked her to call me later.
She agreed to implement the plan, but he refuses to.
They went to the beach to swim.
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