Verb phrase

Also known as: 动词性短语 (dòngcí-xìng duǎnyǔ) and verbal phrase.

A verb phrase is a phrase with a verb as a head word that has any sort of modifier. It commonly includes modal verbs before it and objects after it.

VO Structure

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 degree complement.