Light Verbs and Compound Verbs

​Using Light Verbs and Compound Verbs

Plan for the Day

• Brief introduction to Verbs

• Exploring light verbs and compound verbs

​What are verbs?

Verbs describe actions, whether physical or mental.

• These words also describe a state of being.

• Every sentence needs at least one verb.

Examples: "run" and "think" are action verbs,
while "is" and "seem" are state of being verbs.

Sarah bought a beautiful house.

​Light Verbs

Light verbs are verbs that do not carry much meaning on their own and are often paired with another word to convey a complete idea. Some light verbs are do, have, make, take, give, get, etc.

A verb's "lightness" comes from its lack of specific meaning without its complement.

Examples:

• She gave a smile.

• Justin took a walk.

Examples of Light Verbs

Multiple Select

Which phrase does not contain a light verb?

• Take a look

• Give a hand

• Run a mile

• Make a wish

Multiple Select

Identify the sentences with a light verb.

• She runs every morning.

• I did my homework before dinner.

• Harry is looking forward to work with his new client.

• He took a nap.

Compound Verbs

• Compound verbs are formed by combining a light verb with a noun or adjective.

• They can have different meanings depending on the noun or adjective used.

• Some compound verbs are: do homework, make breakfast, take a shower, get dressed, give a presentation, etc.

Examples:

• They have been studying for hours.

• Karen is dancing in the competition.

Examples of Compound Verbs

Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentence with the correct compound verb by using the verb given in the bracket:

• Steve and his team

  hard to make their project successful. (work)

Multiple Choice

Choose the compound verb in the given sentence.

The team has been practicing diligently.

• practicing

• has been

• has

• has been practicing

Drag and Drop

Drag and drop the correct helping verb to complete the compound verb:
Linda

Placeholder

practicing for weeks.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

has been

has

have been

Dropdown

Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the light verb:

The chef ____________ a delicious meal.

Select answer

Match

Match each sentence with the appropriate verb based on whether it contains a compound verb or a light verb.

• The chef has been cooking since morning.

• She got a promotion at work.

• The athletes have been playing for the upcoming competition.

• The artist made a beautiful masterpiece.

Compound verb

Light verb

Compound verb

Light verb

• Compound verb

• Light verb

• Compound verb

• Light verb

Drag and Drop

Drag and drop the appropriate light verb to complete the sentence:
We ​​​

Placeholder

a dinner reservation.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

make

did

had

Multiple Choice

In which sentence is a compound verb used?

• He walked to the store.
• The cat slept on the couch.

• She gave a beautiful performance.

• Maria is running and jumping in the park.

Recap

• Light verbs are verbs that have little meaning on their own and are used to support or modify the meaning of a main verb.

• Compound verbs are formed by combining a light verb with a noun or adjective. They can have different meanings depending on the noun or adjective used.