English Grammar

A University Course

Third Edition

Chapter 8

Chapter 8 Talking about Events (Explanatory material)

  • 8.37.1  What is the function of be in the following examples: lexical (main) verb, lexical auxiliary, progressive auxiliary, passive auxiliary, non-finite-ing participle.
  • 8.37.2 Have to and have got to. Put the following sentences into the interrogative.
  • 8.38.1 Underline the verbal groups (VGs) in the following sentences, and add the appropriate symbols.
  • 8.38.2 Match the items from the two columns. Add a subject from the following list: small children, that improvised plan, Chinese porcelain, I, a reigning king, old bicycles, we.
  • 8.38.3 Write the combinations and symbols of the verbal groups in each of the following: (the first is done for you:  present + progressive ov).
  • 8.39.1 Complete the following with a catenative verb from the list: appear to, come to, fail to, happen to, tend to, seem to and manage to.
  • 8.40.1 Assign the terms Figure, Motion, Path, Ground and Manner to the following sentence.
  • 8.40.2 Identify the type of aspectual meaning provided by the combination of verb + particle in the following sentences. [Revise 40.4 Semi-idiomatic phrasal verbs in English Grammar A University Course before starting.]
  • 8.40.2(2) ! Brain-teaser: Why can we say It’s likely to rain but not *It’s probable to rain?