abstract Verb = Cat ** {
flags coding = utf8 ;
data
UseV : V -> VP ; -- sleep
ComplVV : VV -> VP -> VP ; -- want to run
ComplVS : VS -> S -> VP ; -- say that she runs
ComplVQ : VQ -> QS -> VP ; -- wonder who runs
ComplVA : VA -> AP -> VP ; -- they become red
SlashV2a : V2 -> VPSlash ; -- love (it)
Slash2V3 : V3 -> NP -> VPSlash ; -- give it (to her)
Slash3V3 : V3 -> NP -> VPSlash ; -- give (it) to her
SlashV2V : V2V -> VP -> VPSlash ; -- beg (her) to go
SlashV2S : V2S -> S -> VPSlash ; -- answer (to him) that it is good
SlashV2Q : V2Q -> QS -> VPSlash ; -- ask (him) who came
SlashV2A : V2A -> AP -> VPSlash ; -- paint (it) red
ComplSlash : VPSlash -> NP -> VP ; -- love it
SlashVV : VV -> VPSlash -> VPSlash ; -- want to buy
SlashV2VNP : V2V -> NP -> VPSlash -> VPSlash ; -- beg me to buy
ReflVP : VPSlash -> VP ; -- love himself
UseComp : Comp -> VP ; -- be warm
Passivization of two-place verbs is another way to use
them. In many languages, the result is a participle that
is used as complement to a copula (is used), but other
auxiliary verbs are possible (Ger. wird angewendet, It.
viene usato), as well as special verb forms (Fin. käytetään,
Swe. används).
Note. the rule can be overgenerating, since the V2 need not take a direct object.
PassV2 : V2 -> VP ; -- be loved
Adverbs can be added to verb phrases. Many languages make
a distinction between adverbs that are attached in the end
vs. next to (or before) the verb.
AdvVP : VP -> Adv -> VP ; -- sleep here
AdVVP : AdV -> VP -> VP ; -- always sleep
AdvVPSlash : VPSlash -> Adv -> VPSlash ; -- use (it) here
AdVVPSlash : AdV -> VPSlash -> VPSlash ; -- always use (it)
Agents of passives are constructed as adverbs with the
preposition [Structural Structural.html].8agent_Prep.
CompAP : AP -> Comp ; -- (be) small
CompNP : NP -> Comp ; -- (be) the man
CompAdv : Adv -> Comp ; -- (be) here
CompCN : CN -> Comp ; -- (be) a man/men
Copula alone
UseCopula : VP ; -- be
}