Verb phrase

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Also known as: 动词短语 (dòngcí duǎnyǔ).

A verb phrase is the component of a sentence that contains the verb and an object.

The order of constituents of a V-O phrase is fixed: the verb precedes the object. The first constituent of a V-O phrase is a transitive verb indicating an action or behavior, while the second refers to the person or things affected by the action. No function word is used between the verb and its object. Normally the stress of a V-O phase falls on the object in pronunciation.

The V-O phrase can both serve as subject, object, attributive, adverbial adjunct and complement of degree.