Delexical Verbs in the Spotlight

What are delexical verbs?

Delexical verbs are action words that have no meaning in their own right. We find the meaning of the action more on the noun.

How to form?

Delexical verbs are usually followed by adjectives and then nouns. Look at this pattern:

delexical verb + adjective/s + noun

She takes a hot shower before going to bed.
They had some hard drinks at the party.

• The most common verbs used in this manner are have, take, make, give, go, and do. But perhaps the most frequently used are have and take.

Uses

This next part lists all the delexical verbs and the nouns they are usually used with.

Verb Have

• Use the delexical verb have with food and drink, talking, washing, resting, and disagreeing.

• Additionally, also use have with verbs that function as nouns.

The clients want to have a look at the property before signing the lease contract.
The child had a bite of the apple.
Do you want to have a drink first?
The team had a listen to the keynote speaker at the conference.
Are you going to have a swim on the lake?

Verb Take

• The main use of delexical verb take is with washing and resting.

She always takes a long bath after a long work’s day.
He looks tired. He needs to take some time off.

• Moreover, you also use take with the words: care, care of, a turn, turns, trouble, the trouble, a chance, a risk, a decision, and a photograph.

It is important that you take care of yourself.

You better take a chance on him.

They took turns in using the meeting room.

The view is amazing! Make sure to take beautiful photographs.

She is not one to take risks.

• In addition, you can use take with verbs that function as nouns.

They took a good look at the design plan.
She takes long walks to clear her mind.
Have you taken your quick swim?

Verb Give

• Generally, you use the delexical verb give with noises, facial expressions, hitting, affectionate actions, and talking.

She gives a loud scream every time she rides a rollercoaster.

He gave his wife a loving glance.

His parents always give him his much needed push.

They didn’t separate without giving each other a goodbye kiss.

WHO needs to give scientific information about the pandemic.

Verb Make

• The use of the delexical verb make is usually with talking, sounds, and plans.

I’m quite sure it made a sound.

Do not make promises you can’t keep.

Making an appointment is a professional thing to do.

Verb Go

• More commonly, you use go as a delexical verb.

Should we go for a walk?
My sister and I went shopping last weekend.
Let’s go dancing now.

• You also use go for common activities. Combine it with an -ing verb.

Mom and Dad go walking every morning.
They go grocery shopping every weekend.
She is not here now. She has gone swimming.

• Use go for a with words that indicate moving. These words include a jog, a ride, a swim, a run, a stroll, and a walk.

How about we go for a short ride around town?

Instead of staying at their hotel, they chose to go for a leisurely stroll around the area.

Verb Do

• You use do with -ing nouns to do with house works.

It’s my grandmother’s hobby to do the gardening.
We did the painting and they did the redecorating of the baby room.

• In addition, you also use do with nouns to do with work.

The team have to do a few jobs with the software before the launch.
Our colleagues said they couldn’t come out yesterday. They had so much work to do.

• When it is clear what the action in the sentence is, you use do.

She has to do her nails before the party. (= She’ll have to paint her nails.)
I have done my hair? (= I have styled my hair.)

• The question “Did he do the room?” might have the following meaning depending on the context.

Did he clean …? decorate…? paint…?

See also: Commonly Confused Verbs: Make or Do (Advanced)

For additional information on this topic, check out this British Council lesson.

Other English grammar lessons can be found here.