A lexical verb is the main verb of the sentence. All verbs include a lexical verb. As noted in the discussion of the structure of verbs, we can get into all sorts of discussion about just what a "lexical" verb is, but definitions really don't do … [Read more...]
Verb Parts: the basics
ALL verbs include a LEXICAL (main) verb. Now, we can get into all sorts of discussion about just what a "lexical" verb is, but as noted in other sections, definitions don't do writers much good. Use does. For those of you in search of a … [Read more...]
Verb Parts: Auxiliary
An auxiliary (also called helping) verb serves to give additional meaning to the main or lexical verb following it. If you are doing things correctly, every clause you use has a verb. That clause MUST have a lexical verb and it MAY have one or … [Read more...]