12. Modern English

Composite Predicates

The so-called composite predicates consist of a quasi-auxiliary (also called a light verb)—that is, a verb of general meaning such as do, have, make, draw, give, and take— in combination with a noun that has been formed from a verb. Below are some typical replacements:¨

Call - give a call, make a call

Look - have a look, take a look

Try- have a try

Approve - give approval

Attend- pay attention

Conclude - draw a conclusion from

assume - make an assumption

(Note that there are some dialect differences in the use of composite predicates; thus, British speakers say have a seat and make a study while North American speakers say take a seat and do a study)

Purists often disapprove of composite predicates, which they claim are needlessly wordy and feel are less ‘active’ because the action is expressed by a noun rather than a verb. However, these constructions have legitimate uses such as allowing modification (e.g. one can say take a long bath but not *bathe longly). Especially considering the modification, we must disagree with the purists, as there are some instances, where a construction without the use of a composite predicate is either impossible or even wordier (e.g. take a warm bath = ?bath warmly? = bathe in warm water). This construction might also be potentially beneficial to language learners, as it allows for countless construction with a knowledge of only a few verbs.

Historically, the compound predicates were always available in English, but they were much less productive. But semantically, the same set of verbs has always been used (do, have, make, draw, give, and take – don, habban, niman, sellan, macian. As they developed composite predicates began to be associated with the telic aspect that is that the situation is being perspectivized as an accomplishment or achievement as in take a walk vs. walk. This aspectual function is more noticeable with composite predicates introduced by have whereas main verb have is typically stative, “light verb” have is often not, especially if the deverbal noun originates in a process verb e.g. have a dance.

Finally, we can also see composite predicates as falling into two categories: those formed by light verbs : do, have, make, draw, give, and take and those using a more specific verbs: raise an objection, lose sight. Former are productive and form an important part of the aspectual system of English and are gramaticalized, latter are not.

WORKS USED

Brinton, Laurel J., Elizabeth Closs Traugott. Lexicalization and Language Change: Research Surveys in Linguistics. Cambridge University Press, 2005.

Brinton, Laurel J., Leslie K. Arnovick. The English Language: A Linguistic History. Oxford University Press, 2011