Running Head: ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE VERB PHRASES ---

ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE VERB PHRASES

HUYNH THANH THANH

HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH

--- Ho Chi Minh City, Dec. 30, 2010

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INTRODUCTION
Although languages are indispensable means of communication, there are many languages in the world, and each language has its own origin, features and values which are different from the others. The question is: How can we communicate with each other? As globalization affects the whole world, English has nearly become an international language. That means on the way Vietnam develops and globalizes, English has an important place. Therefore, teaching and learning English become a demand for Vietnamese. However, English and Vietnamese have different characteristics in terms of grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary For instance, the meanings of Vietnamese words are more diverse than those of English, the systems of grammar of these two languages are completely different. Whenever we mention the characteristic of a language we usually focus on the structures, the components forming a sentence From that point of view, its obvious to see the importance of word phrases such as noun phrase, verb phrase, adjective phrase in a structure of a sentence. Hence, in order to have a general idea about verb phrases of English as well as of Vietnamese and to understand the characteristics of English and Vietnamese verb phrases, I decide to do a research on English and Vietnamese verb phrases. In my topic, I will present the definition of English and Vietnamese verb phrases. Then I will discuss their characteristics followed by examples to show the similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese verb phrases. In addition, I suggest some application in teaching verb phrases. Through my topic, I hope the readers will have a general look about verb phrases and can distinguish the similarities and the difference between English and Vietnamese verb phrases.

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Overview
Definition:
What is verb phrase? There are many answers for this question. One of these definitions: Verb phrase is a free word phrase having main- subordinate relation and containing a verb serve as the central element and additive elements which modify the meanings for the central element. Another definition: In linguistics, a verb phrase is a syntactic structure composed of the predicative elements of a sentence and its function is to provide information about the subject of the sentence. In the generative grammar framework, the verb phrase is a phrase headed by a verb. A verb phrase may be constructed from a single verb; often, however, the verb phrase will consist of various combinations of the main verb and any auxiliary verbs, plus optional specifiers, complements, and adjuncts (Wikipedia, 2010).

Characteristic:
These definitions show us the main characteristics of verb phrases: Verb phrase always contains main verb which serves as a central element, and this central element governs additive elements. Both verb phrases in English and Vietnamese share these characteristics

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English verb phrases

The verb phrase functional formula is: (Auxiliary) + Head+ (Object)/Complement + (Modifier) Verb phrase contains one Lexical verb as its Head

Lexical Verb:
According to Howard Edwards definition, the lexical verb carries the primary reference of the verb phrase, relating to an action, process or event in reality. Lexical verbs can be divided into 2 types: transitive and intransitive verbs. Transitive verbs are verbs that need direct objects followed. Direct objects can be a pronoun, a noun phrase, or a clause. Some transitive verbs: lift, give, want, kick, clean, paint E.g.: She gives me a cup of tea. Flora kicked Anthony under the table. Intransitive verbs are verbs that do not go with any objects. Some intransitive verbs: die, sleep, go, arrive, sit E.g.: His grandfather died. She sleeps peacefully. Other action verbs, however, can be transitive or intransitive, depending on what follows in the sentence. Compare these examples: Katie always eats before leaving for school. (Intransitive) He eats fruit every day. (Transitive)

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The lexical verb may be composed of more than one word, especially in the case of phrasal and preposition verbs.

Two-word Verbs:
Prepositional verbs (V + Prepositions): Inseparable E.g.: Tom is looking at the board. Some prepositional verbs: look after, look for, come across, sail through Phrasal verbs (V + adverbs): separable i.e.: A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and a preposition, a verb and an adverb, or a verb with both an adverb and a preposition, any of which are part of the syntax of the sentence, and so are a complete semantic unit. Sentences may contain direct and indirect objects in addition to the phrasal verb. Phrasal verbs are particularly frequent in the English language. A phrasal verb often has a meaning which is different from the original verb. (Wikipedia, 2010) She looked up the word in the dictionary. She looked the word up in the dictionary. Up may come before or after an object which is a noun. Up must come after if the object is a pronoun. Some other similar verbs: put on, put down, take off, break down Note: Two-word verbs have two kinds: Two-word verbs, intransitive verbs: i.e.: They are verbs that dont take any direct objects.

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E.g.: Susan dropped out. Some similar verbs: break in, catch up, keep up Two-word verbs, transitive verbs : i.e.: They take objects. These verbs can be divided into 2 sub-categories: separable and inseparable. Two-word verbs, separable: i.e.: verbs are transitive verbs when the pronoun object must be inserted between the verbs and functional words. e.g.: Paul finds out the secret. They find it out. We find the key out. Two-word verbs, inseparable: i.e.: They are transitive verbs when the pronoun object must follow the

functional words. e.g.: The child takes after his mother.

Three-word verb or Phrasal-Prepositional verbs:

Three-word verbs are transitive verbs, inseparable verbs. e.g.: Jen broke in on their conversation. Some similar verbs: drop out of, catch on to, catch up with, keep up with, break in on From the verb phrase functional formula:

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(Auxiliary) + Head + (Object)/Complement + (Modifier) The possible verb phrases could be: Head alone Auxiliary(ies) + Head Head + Object(s) / Complement Head + Modifier(s) The combine of the above

1. Verb phrases: Head alone

Single-word verb phrase always consists of a headword that is a verb E.g.: Frankie walked away. I smile.

2. Verb phrases: Auxiliaries + Verb Head

a. Auxiliary Verbs:
Definition: In linguistics, an auxiliary (also called helping verb, helper verb, auxiliary verb, or verbal auxiliary, abbreviated AUX) is a verb functioning to give further semantic or syntactic information about the main or full verb following it. In English, the extra meaning provided by an auxiliary verb alters the basic meaning of the main verb to make it have one or more of the following functions: passive voice, progressive aspect, perfect aspect, modality, dummy, or emphasis. Kinds of Auxiliary verbs: Primary Auxiliaries: be (am/ is/ are) , have (have/ has) , do (do/ dose/) Modal Auxiliaries: ought to, can, could, should, would, may, might, must, will

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Use of Auxiliary verbs: Auxiliary verbs help to form tenses, expressions, forms, moods, aspects

b. Combination of Auxiliaries + Verbs:

Auxiliary Progressive (Be+ Present Participle) Perfect ( Have + Past Participle) Passive (Be + Past participle) Support auxiliary (do +V-bare infinitive) Modal Example She is watching TV. I have done homework. The play was written by Shakespeare. I do know her. You must go out.

3. Verb phrases: Verb Head + Object(s) / Complement

Object or Complement is a phrase (noun phrase, adjective phrase, adverbial phrase) which follows a verb head. Type Direct Object Indirect object Example She bought a book. (Noun phrase) Brad gave his daughter (noun phrase) a candy. He is a teacher. (noun phrase) She is beautiful. (adjective phrase) We elected him president. (noun phrase) I believe that they are in love.

Subject Complement Object Complement Complement Clause

4. Verb Phrases: Verb Head + Modifier(s)

Modifier of verb can be called adjunct or adverbial in order to distinguish them from modifier of noun.

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In linguistics, an adjunct or adverbial is an optional, or structurally dispensable, part of a sentence that, when removed, will not affect the remainder of the sentence. A more detailed definition of an adjunct is its attribute as a modifying form, word, or phrase which depends on another form, word, or phrase, being an element of clause structure with adverbial function.

Types of modifier Adverb Phrase

Example They arrived early. She sings softly. They visit us every day. We will pay the next time. I will see him on Monday. Anthony met Flora at a bar. They arrived after we finished breakfast. He called when she was reading a book. I have to run to catch up with my brother. She followed him to find out the truth. Jack sat watching the football match. He lies looking at the ceiling. They get inside led by the host.

Noun Phrase Adverbials

Prepositional Phrase Adverbials

Adverbial Clause

Infinitive Clause Adverbials Present Participial Clause Adverbials

Past Participial Clause Adverbials

We visited a museum guided by an instructor.

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Vietnamese Verb Phrases

Vietnamese verb phrase includes three elements: Pre-additive element, central element, Post-additive element.

1. Central element:
Group 1: verb alone
e.g.: Mt tri mc. Chim ht.

Group 2: Verbs that usually come with other verbs:

Modal verb + Verb i.e.: Modal verb: hy, ng, ch, phi, cn, nn e.g.: Bn nn v. Passive: b, phi, c e.g.: Hn ta b bt. Ch y c khen. Two parallel actions happening at the same time: ngi ngh, nm ng, i hc, ng nhn e.g: Anh ta ng nhn bu tri m.

Group 3: Verbs which always go with additive element

Verbs with sense of result: bit c, nhn ra, tm thy, nhn thy, tm ly, thu c e.g.: Ti tm thy quyn sch ny. Anh ta thu c nhiu chin li phm.

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Verbs with sense of moving: Some verbs: i (i xung, i ra, i vo), bay (bay ln, bay xung, bay n, bay vo), chy (chy ra, chy vo, chy n, chy ln, chy xung), phng (phng ti,phng n, phng vo), nhy (nhy qua, nhy li, nhy ti), bc (bc ti, bc qua) e.g: Thy gio bc vo lp. Anh y chy ln cu thang. Verb with two objects: Affecting two objects: Cho, a, tng, biu, xin, vay, mn e.g: Lan tng Hu hai quyn sch. Tm xin m tin. Connecting two objects: pha, trn, ni, kt, ha, chp e.g.: Loan trn u xanh vi u . Considering object A as the meaning of object B: ly, bu, coi, chn, c E.g.: Nht coi Tn nh anh.

Group 4: Verb with sense of mood

Some verbs in this group: lo u, lo lng, bn chn, thp thm e.g.: Anh ta lo lng v kt qu hc tp.

Group 5: Combination of verbs

Some combinations: Chy ngc chy xui, chy n chy o, tnh ti tnh lui, chy ra chy vo, ni ti ni lui e.g.: C y c ni ti ni lui chuyn ny.

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2. Pre-additive element:
Group 1: expressing the sense of continuing or repeating of state or action
Some words in this group: c. vn, mi, li, tip tc e.g.: Anh ta li ht bi ht y. Li This word is used as an pre-additive element to emphasize the repeating action.

Group 2: Indicating the frequency

Some words in this group: thng, hay, cha bao gi, i khi, him khi, thnh thong e.g.: C y thng ngi n vo bui chiu. Thng this word is used to show that the action usually happens.

Group 3: Indicating the time of an action or a state.

Some words in this group: , s, sp, tng, ang, va e.g.: Ti xem b phim ny. this word is used to emphasize that the action already happened in the past.

Group 4: indication negative form

Some words in this group: khng, cha,chng e.g.: Cu y cha lm bi tp. Ti khng bit chuyn g ang xy ra vi anh y.

Group 5: Indicating the level

Some words in this group: rt, kh, hi, v cng

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e.g.: Anh ta rt thch nhc giao hng.

3. Post-additive element
In term of word form, post-additive element could be a noun, an adjective, a pronoun. E.g.: Anh y ang nghe nhc. (a noun) C ta chy nhanh. (an adjective) Hm qua anh ta mua n. (a pronoun) In term of structure, post-additive element could be a single word, a phrase, or a clause (a sentence). e.g.: Anh ta ang vit th. (a word) H ang xy mt lu i ct. (a phrase) Ti nh c y hng dn cch lm bnh. ( a clause) In term of meaning, post-additive element may have many types: Order: tin ln, chy i, n i, hc no e.g.: Cu hy n i. Direction: ti (i ti, bc ti) vo (bay vo, chy vo), bc li, xung (i xung,gim xung), ln (bay ln, i ln, tng ln ) e.g.: Gi c phiu vn tip tc tng ln. State, process and end of an action: mi (ni mi, ch mi), ri (bit ri, c ri), ngay (i ngay, n ngay), hoi(nhn hoi, ngh hoi), xong (n xong, lm xong) e.g.: Khi nhn c in thoi, anh y vi i ngay.

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Contrast
Through the description above, the characteristics of English and Vietnamese verb phrases can be contrasted by form and meaning. The part that easily attracts our attention is the form. We can see clearly that both English and Vietnamese verb phrases have three parts: In English they are Auxiliary, Head Verb and Complementation, while they are Pre-additive element, Central element, Post-additive element in Vietnamese. Although they have different names and components, there are several things in common. The first thing is verb phrase always consists a verb as central element and the most important part, without this element, there is no verb phrase. The second thing is additive elements are optional and governed by central element. The last similarity is pre-additive element is usually related to grammatical function when post-additive element concerns mostly in meaning. However, the differences in form between English and Vietnamese verb phrases are not less than the similarities. Tense is the crucial factor that affects the form of English verb phrase. Verbs in English change their forms to express different tenses. E.g.: I watched that film yesterday. (simple past) I watch that film every day. (Simple present) I have watched that film several times. (Present perfect) Now I am watching that film. (Present continuous) I will watch that film next week. (simple future) But verbs in Vietnamese always keep the same form in every situation. One of the reason is tense in Vietnamese is not clear (In some books, authors argue

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that there is no tense in Vietnamese). We just use pre-additive element such as , ang, sp ,s to indicate the time of an action. e.g.: Ti xem b phim y hm qua. (I watched that film yesterday.) Ti ang xem b phim y. (I am watching that film.) Ti xem b phim y mi ngy. (I watch that film every day.) Ti tng xem b phim y vi ln. (I have watched that film several times.) Ti s xem b phim y vo tun sau. (I will watch that film next week.) Furthermore, in negative and interrogative sentences, English verbs change form while Vietnamese verbs only have one form and add additive element to indicate the meaning. e.g.: He watched TV last night. (Affirmative) He did not watch TV last night. (Negative) Did he watch TV last night? (Interrogative) Anh ta xem TV ti hm qua. (He watched TV last night.) Anh ta c xem TV ti hm qua khng? (Did he watch TV last night?) Anh ta khng xem TV ti hm qua. (He did not watch TV last night) The next difference is some English verbs must be followed by prepositions such as: listen to, introduce to, believe in while in Vietnamese, they are optional. e.g.: He is listening to music. (Anh ta ang nghe nhc) Beside the form, the other part which is not less important when comparing English and Vietnamese verb phrase is the meaning.

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Although verb phrases are used to talk about an action or a state in both English and Vietnamese, the way people use is not the same. People usually use passive voice in English to make the meaning objective. Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite than active voice. But in Vietnamese passive voice is not preferred. Because, in English, action is the focus, it is not important or not known who performs the action. While in Vietnamese people usually concern in the agent that causes the action. The other difference is Vietnamese does not have the term phrasal verb, but Phrasal verbs are particularly frequent in the English language. A phrasal verb often has a meaning which is different from the original verb.

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Teaching Applications
Studying something does not mean stopping at knowing or understanding what we study, the important thing is to know how to apply it in real life. So, through my topic, I would like to discuss the characteristics of English and Vietnamese verb phrases and contrast them in order to find out how to teach English verb phrases, how to help students distinguish the differences between English and Vietnamese verb phrases and avoid making mistakes. Firstly, Vietnamese student have a habit of translation from Vietnamese into English when making sentences, but English and Vietnamese are not the same, especially verb phrases. So students usually translate word-by-word and make the sentences nonsense. For example, in Vietnamese we can say Ti ang nghe nhc but in English it is I am listening to music not I am listen music. In this case, teachers should help students to recognize the differences and their mistakes. Then teachers should provide student the verb patterns they need and give some examples. Secondly, students usually have difficulties with phrasal verbs because there are so many combinations with different meanings. For instance, make can go with up, of, from to form phrasal verbs with different meanings. In addition, transitive and intransitive verbs are also obstacles for students when distinguishing. The suggestion is teachers should give clear examples in each case, help students make their own examples and give them more exercise to practice. Thirdly, sometimes students confuse with tenses and do not know how to use them correctly. For example, simple past and present continuous, will and be going to, simple future and present continuous when talking about a future event Or they want to know why people sometimes use past forms: could, would, should, might in present time, i.e.: people can say could you help me?

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to ask for help. There are many questions can be raised. And teachers solution should be explaining structures, tenses, meaning and usage clearly, helping students distinguish the slight difference between confusing

sentences, giving them more exercise to practice. Last but not least, English verbs change their forms to indicate tenses, but Vietnamese verbs are the same in every situation. That means students easily forget to change forms and make mistake when making sentences. For example, people say Anh y thch quyn sch ny. Vietnamese, but in English it should be He likes this book. not He like this book. Moreover, Auxiliaries contribute in forming negative and interrogative sentences, while in Vietnamese we do not have auxiliary. That is the reason why students make mistake when change sentences into negative or interrogative.

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Conclusion
In conclusion, languages are complicated and every language has their own characteristics. However, languages are means of communication and they help people in the world understand each other. Those mean learning new languages are difficult but necessary. And this is also the thought of many Vietnamese students when studying English. That is the reason why I do this research contrasting English and Vietnamese verb phrases. In my topic, I describe and distinguish characteristics of English and Vietnamese verb phrases, then discuss some teaching applications based on the differences between verb phrases in these two languages. I hope that this study will provide students useful information about verb phrases in English and Vietnamese and helpful application in teaching English.

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References
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Nguyen,H.L. (2004) An Outline of Syntax. Ho Chi Minh City: University of EducationPress.

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