You have learned (§ 69, Exception) that not all groups of words that are composed of a verb and one or more verbals are verb phrases. You are now to find other illustrations of this fact.

(1) A verb phrase, according to the definition, consists of a copula alone or of a copula and a predicate attribute. It can contain no other element except the word to. In the sentences, I expect to hear the lecture, He dared defy the tyrant, You ought to study, You should study, and You need to study, the verbs expect, dared, ought, should, and need are attributive transitive verbs and the following verbals are objects. (§ 57). Thus each of the expressions, expect to hear, dared defy, ought to study, should study, and need to study contains a copula, a predicate attribute, and an object and cannot therefore be a verb phrase. The nouns lecture and tyrant are objects of the verbals hear and defy.

(2) In the sentence, The child came crying, the words came crying are not a verb phrase. They contain two predicate attributes. A verbal is often used like the verbal crying as a second predicate attribute.

Exercise 79

Classify each verb phrase. Classify the verbs in the sentences that do not contain verb phrases:

V 1. The gigantic figure had disappeared.

2. He sent the letter at once.

3. Before this all nature had been clear and serene.

4. We were destroying the nest of a colony of bees.

5. In the mirror there appeared a horrible face. 6. She will be very happy here.

7. This may help you in your work.

8. Perseus, you have acted like a man, and you have your reward.

9. The book has been lying there all day.

10. He tried to help the child.

11. He is helping the child.

12. He will soon become a leader of men.

13. He seems to be trying.

14. Where are you going?

15. He soon became ashamed of his conduct.

16. Every boy ought to own a flock of bantams.

17. The farmer has been cultivating his corn.

18. The corn has already been cultivated twice.

19. You will surely be cold.

20. The frightened child ran, scattering her books in all directions.

21. The dog has lain there all day.

22. She has laid her books on the chair.

23. He heard sweet voices singing.

24. She has grown impatient at the delay.

25. The presents were received with much joy.

26. Do you owe me this money?

27. She seems to understand the problem.

28. I am going to Chicago.

29. On came the great sea monster.

30. Children should read Kingsley's Greek Heroes.

31. The cane is standing in the corner.

. 32. Perseus went out in the morning and told his dream.

33. He has broken shins.

34. He has broken his shin.

35. There is a mistake in your work.

36. There is the mistake in your work.