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Verb inflection

Q: What is a distinctive property of verbs that is crucial in grammatical constructions?

The key characteristic of verbs is their inflection . They exhibit many forms that are: Required in different structures Present in various grammatical categories Seen in different tenses

Q: How many inflectional forms do the majority of verb lexemes typically have?

Most verb lexemes possess six inflectional forms , including: Preterite 3rd Singular Present Plain Present Plain Form Gerund-Participle Past Participle

Q: What are the distinct shapes found in verb inflections, and how many are there?

There are only four different shapes of verb forms: Checked Checks Check Checking Note: Preterite and past participle share shapes.

Q: How do regular and irregular verbs differ in their inflectional forms?

Regular verbs follow general rules for inflectional forms, while irregular verbs, like TAKE , have different shapes for: Preterite Past Participle Example: took (preterite), taken (past participle).

Q: How can one determine whether the shape 'checked' is a preterite or past participle form?

To identify if 'checked' is preterite or past participle: Substitute another verb like TAKE . Question what form is necessary in the context. Analyze the preceding structure.

Q: What is the purpose of distinguishing between 'preterite' and other past tenses?

The term preterite specifies a type of past tense that is marked by: Inflection rather than auxiliaries Clarity in grammatical analysis Differentiation from constructions like 'has checked'

Q: What are the examples provided to illustrate the use of the verb 'checked'?

Two examples clarify the use of 'checked': 'She may have checked the figures herself.' (Past Participle) 'I’m not sure whether she checked the figures herself or not.' (Preterite)

Q: What are the two present tense forms, and how are they determined?

One form is for 3rd person singular subjects. The other is for non-3rd person singular subjects. This latter form is also called plain present , indicating it matches the morphological BASE of the lexeme.

21 important questions on Verb inflection

What is a distinctive property of verbs that is crucial in grammatical constructions?

The key characteristic of verbs is their inflection. They exhibit many forms that are:

Required in different structures
Present in various grammatical categories
Seen in different tenses

How many inflectional forms do the majority of verb lexemes typically have?

Most verb lexemes possess six inflectional forms, including:

Preterite
3rd Singular Present
Plain Present
Plain Form
Gerund-Participle
Past Participle

What are the distinct shapes found in verb inflections, and how many are there?

There are only four different shapes of verb forms:

Checked
Checks
Check
Checking

Note: Preterite and past participle share shapes.

How do regular and irregular verbs differ in their inflectional forms?

Regular verbs follow general rules for inflectional forms, while irregular verbs, like TAKE, have different shapes for:

Preterite
Past Participle

Example: took (preterite), taken (past participle).

How can one determine whether the shape "checked" is a preterite or past participle form?

To identify if "checked" is preterite or past participle:

Substitute another verb like TAKE.
Question what form is necessary in the context.
Analyze the preceding structure.

What is the purpose of distinguishing between 'preterite' and other past tenses?

The term preterite specifies a type of past tense that is marked by:

Inflection rather than auxiliaries
Clarity in grammatical analysis
Differentiation from constructions like "has checked"

What are the examples provided to illustrate the use of the verb "checked"?

Two examples clarify the use of "checked":

"She may have checked the figures herself." (Past Participle)
"I’m not sure whether she checked the figures herself or not." (Preterite)

What is the significance of the form preceding the verb in determining its inflection?

The preceding form is crucial for:

Establishing the required inflection
Determining verb forms in substitutions
Changing what follows the verb as needed

How do the past participle and preterite forms assist in understanding verb shapes?

The past participle and preterite forms help identify verb shapes by:

Clarifying relationships between forms
Indicating when shapes are shared (e.g. checked)
Providing a comparison with irregular verbs

What are the two present tense forms, and how are they determined?

One form is for 3rd person singular subjects.
The other is for non-3rd person singular subjects.
This latter form is also called plain present, indicating it matches the morphological BASE of the lexeme.

In which constructs is the plain form used, and how does it differ from the plain present?

- The plain form is used in:

IMPERATIVE - "Check the figures yourself!"
INFINITIVAL - "It's better to check the figures oneself."
SUBJUNCTIVE - "It's essential that she check the figures herself."

- Unlike plain present, it can occur with 3rd person singular.

What is unique about the verb 'BE' in relation to its present tense forms?

- The verb BE has three different present tense forms:

is
am
are

- All these forms differ from the plain form be.

How can one distinguish between the plain present and the plain form?

Use the substitution test with the verb BE:
- If substitution requires the plain form, it is the plain form.
- Example: "We must check the figures" uses plain form (needs be).

How is the infinitival construction typically marked, and are there exceptions?

Infinitival constructions are often marked by to.
However, they can occur without to after verbs such as:

1. CAN

MAY
WILL
DO
MAKE

What is the frequency of the subjunctive construction compared to others?

The subjunctive construction is the least frequent among the three mentioned.
It belongs to a somewhat formal style.
Examples include: "It's essential that she check the figures herself."

Why does the plain present not occur with 3rd person singular subjects?

The plain present does not appear with 3rd person singular subjects.
Example: "She checks the figures herself" (not "She check").
In contrast, the plain form can appear with 3rd person subjects.

What is an example of the imperative construction using the plain form?

An example of the imperative construction is:
- "Check the figures yourself!"
It demonstrates a direct command without a subject.

What is the gerund-participle, and how is it distinguished in traditional grammar?

This form ends with the suffix ing. Traditional grammar distinguishes:

Gerund: Comparable to a noun (e.g., "Checking the figures can be onerous").
Present Participle: Comparable to an adjective (e.g., "People checking the figures must be alert").

In what constructions is the past participle used, and what are its auxiliary verbs?

The past participle is used in:

Perfect: Auxiliary verb have (e.g., "She has checked the figures").
Passive: Auxiliary verb be (e.g., "The figures must be checked by the boss").

How does traditional grammar compare gerunds and participles?

Gerunds and participles are compared based on their functions:

Gerunds: Act like nouns (e.g., "Checking the figures").
Participles: Act like adjectives (e.g., modifies "people").

Why is there no distinction in present-day English for gerunds and participles?

Present-day English features a single form called gerund-participle because:

No verb has distinct forms for these constructions.
The name encompasses both categories from traditional grammar.

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A SHORT OVERVIEW OF ENGLISH SYNTAX

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Verb inflection

21 important questions on Verb inflection

What is a distinctive property of verbs that is crucial in grammatical constructions?

How many inflectional forms do the majority of verb lexemes typically have?

What are the distinct shapes found in verb inflections, and how many are there?

How do regular and irregular verbs differ in their inflectional forms?

How can one determine whether the shape "checked" is a preterite or past participle form?

What is the purpose of distinguishing between 'preterite' and other past tenses?

What are the examples provided to illustrate the use of the verb "checked"?

What is the significance of the form preceding the verb in determining its inflection?

How do the past participle and preterite forms assist in understanding verb shapes?

What are the two present tense forms, and how are they determined?

In which constructs is the plain form used, and how does it differ from the plain present?

What is unique about the verb 'BE' in relation to its present tense forms?

How can one distinguish between the plain present and the plain form?

How is the infinitival construction typically marked, and are there exceptions?

What is the frequency of the subjunctive construction compared to others?

Why does the plain present not occur with 3rd person singular subjects?

What is an example of the imperative construction using the plain form?

What is the gerund-participle, and how is it distinguished in traditional grammar?

In what constructions is the past participle used, and what are its auxiliary verbs?

How does traditional grammar compare gerunds and participles?

Why is there no distinction in present-day English for gerunds and participles?

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