Definitions of Terminology and Expressions Used

Contents

• Terminology
  • Action
  • Activity
  • Auxiliary Verb
  • Form
  • -ING Form
  • Main Verb
  • Participle
  • State
  • Structure
• Expressions
  • Rule of Thumb

Terminology

Action

A verb which refers to something the subject does, eg:

Ann went to the shops.

The action is usually considered 'instantaneous'. Compare with state, activity.

Activity

Similar to an action, an activity is considered to be extended over time.

Auxiliary Verb

A verb which provides grammatical information and is used together with a main verb to make a verb phrase. Examples include do when used to make the present simple tense, and modal auxiliaries such as can and will, which are only used as auxiliaries.

Form

The 'syntax' of a tense tec. Form refers to the auxiliary verb used, the form of the main verb(inifinitive, participle, etc) and other grammatical information unrelated to meaning.

-ING Form

The -ING form refers to the form made from the infinitve + -ing, eg walking. This form is also often referred to as the present participle or gerund

Main Verb

The verb which gives the meaning of the phrase. Compare with auxiliary verb.

Participle

In these pages the term participle refers to the past participle unless otherwise indicated. This is the form of the verb used to make passive and perfect tenses. See also -ING form.

State

A verb which refers to something which is either true or false, and which is not something the subject does. Examples include:

I live in Spain
I've got a car.
I am English.

Some verbs, such as work, can refer to both states and actions

He works in a factory.
He's working in the kichen.

Se also action

Structure

A structure consists of a form and its meaning, and the situations in which it is used.

Expressions

Rule of Thumb

An informal rule or guide-line which enables you to choose a correct answer in most situations. Howevr, a rule of thumb is a simplification and cannot be relied on to provide the correct solution in all situations. Use with care!

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Last update: 26/03/96