{"id":31091,"date":"2025-10-23T07:54:25","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T05:54:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phoneenglish.es\/blog\/?p=31091"},"modified":"2026-03-24T10:02:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T09:02:51","slug":"delexical-verbs-have-take-make-give-go-and-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phoneenglish.es\/blog\/2025\/10\/delexical-verbs-have-take-make-give-go-and-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Delexical Verbs: Have, Take, Make, Give, Go, and Do"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Some of the most common verbs\u00a0have<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0take<\/strong>\u00a0are used with nouns like\u00a0a shower<\/span>,\u00a0a drink<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

have<\/td>I need to have <\/strong>a coffee<\/span> first. We\u00a0had<\/strong>\u00a0a drink<\/span> last weekend.<\/td><\/tr>
take<\/td>I take<\/strong> a shower<\/span> every morning. She took<\/strong> a shower<\/span> after running this morning.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These actions are called delexical verbs<\/strong> because the important part of the meaning is in the noun and not the verb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An adjective<\/span> is often placed\u00a0in front of the noun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She took<\/strong> a hot<\/span> shower after running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She had<\/strong> an\u00a0ice,\u00a0cold<\/span>\u00a0drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most frequently used delexical verbs<\/strong> are: have, take, make, and give.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Have<\/strong> is used with: food and drink, talking, washing, resting, and disagreeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

food and drink<\/td>meal
breakfast
lunch
dinner
snack
tea<\/td>		They had<\/strong> a delicious meal<\/span> after the concert.

I\u2019m full. I just had<\/strong> breakfast<\/span>.

Did you have<\/strong> lunch<\/span> yet?

I want to have<\/strong> dinner<\/span> at that new restaurant.

Have<\/strong> some snacks<\/span> before you go.

The visitors had<\/strong> tea<\/span> instead of coffee.<\/td><\/tr>
talking<\/td>chat
conversation discussion\u00a0
talk<\/td>		John and I had<\/strong> a nice chat<\/span>.

You need to have<\/strong> a conversation<\/span> with your parents.

The manager and the team had<\/strong> a long discussion<\/span> about the new project.

I need to have<\/strong> a talk<\/span> with you soon.<\/td><\/tr>
washing<\/td>bath
shower
wash
scrub<\/td>		She likes to have<\/strong> a bath<\/span> after a long day at work.

You should have<\/strong> a shower<\/span> after doing exercise.

She didn’t have time to have<\/strong> a wash<\/span> because she woke up late.

Your feet need to have<\/strong> a\u00a0thorough scrub<\/span>.<\/td><\/tr>
resting<\/td>break
holiday
rest<\/td>		Have<\/strong> a break<\/span> after you finish doing your homework.

I need to have<\/strong> a holiday<\/span>. I\u2019m so tired.

You need to have<\/strong> a rest<\/span> when you are sick.<\/td><\/tr>
disagreeing<\/td>argument
dispute
fight
quarrel<\/td>		Evan had<\/strong> an argument<\/span> with his brother.

There has<\/strong> been a dispute<\/span> between the two countries for a long time.

My husband and I had<\/strong> a small fight<\/span> last night.

Siblings always have<\/strong> a quarrel<\/span>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have<\/strong> is also used with nouns formed from verbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should\u00a0have <\/strong>a look<\/span>\u00a0at your new house.
They\u00a0had <\/strong>a bite<\/span>\u00a0of the cheese.
We\u2019re going to\u00a0have <\/strong>a drink<\/span> after work.
She\u00a0had <\/strong>a listen<\/span>\u00a0to the new episode of the podcast.
The children had <\/strong>a swim<\/span> on the beach last weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Take<\/strong> is used with: washing and resting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

washing<\/td>bath\u00a0
shower
wash<\/td>		She likes to take<\/strong> a bath<\/span> after a long day at work.

You must take<\/strong> a shower<\/span> after working out.

She didn’t have time to take<\/strong> a wash<\/span> because she woke up late.
<\/td><\/tr>
resting<\/td>break
holiday
rest<\/td>		Take<\/strong> a break<\/span> after you finish doing your homework.

I need to take<\/strong> a holiday<\/span>. I\u2019m so tired.

You need to take<\/strong> a rest<\/span> when you are sick.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take<\/strong> is also used with these words:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

care<\/td>I take <\/strong>care<\/span> with the words I say to other people.<\/td><\/tr>
care of<\/td>She takes <\/strong>care of<\/span> her young children.<\/td><\/tr>
a turn<\/td>The movie took<\/strong> a<\/span> surprising turn<\/span>.<\/td><\/tr>
turns<\/td>It was a very long drive so we took <\/strong>turns<\/span> in driving.<\/td><\/tr>
trouble<\/td>It takes<\/strong> a lot of trouble<\/span> to get to downtown because of traffic.<\/td><\/tr>
the trouble<\/td>She took <\/strong>the trouble<\/span> to find out where he lives.<\/td><\/tr>
a chance<\/td>You need to take <\/strong>a chance<\/span> on him.<\/td><\/tr>
a risk<\/td>When investing, you always have to take <\/strong>a risk<\/span>.<\/td><\/tr>
a decision<\/td>They took <\/strong>a decision<\/span> to move to the UK for better opportunities.<\/td><\/tr>
a photograph<\/td>I took <\/strong>a photograph<\/span> of my grandmother with my camera.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take<\/strong> can also be used with nouns formed from verbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They think we should\u00a0take <\/strong>a look<\/span> at the proposal before making a decision.
My grandparents\u00a0take <\/strong>a walk<\/span> at the park every day.
Are you going to\u00a0take <\/strong>a swim<\/span> in the sea?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Give<\/strong> is used with: noises, facial expressions, hitting, affectionate actions, and talking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

noises<\/td>cry
laugh
scream
shout
whistle<\/td>		If you have a big problem, just give<\/strong> it a good cry<\/span>.

The audience gave<\/strong> the comedian a loud laugh<\/span>.

She gave<\/strong> a scream<\/span> of delight when she saw her friend\u2019s present.

Let\u2019s give<\/strong> a shout<\/span>\u00a0out to all the parents here.

I don\u2019t think he saw you. Give<\/strong> him a whistle<\/span>.<\/td><\/tr>
facial expressions<\/td>smile
grin
look
glance<\/td>		The baby\u00a0gave<\/strong> a happy smile<\/span>.

My son gave<\/strong> me a big grin<\/span> when I told him we were going to Disneyland.

They liked the house so they are going to give<\/strong> it a another look<\/span>.

She gave<\/strong> all of her fans one last glance<\/span>.<\/td><\/tr>
hitting<\/td>kick
punch
slap
push
knock
blow<\/td>		She gave<\/strong> him a kick<\/span> on the leg.

She gave<\/strong> him a punch<\/span> on the face.

He deserves to be given<\/strong> a slap<\/span>.

My car won\u2019t start. We need to give<\/strong> it a little push<\/span>.

When you are ready, just give<\/strong> us a knock<\/span>.

His rejection gave<\/strong> a blow<\/span> to her confidence.<\/td><\/tr>
affectionate actions<\/td>hug
kiss
stroke<\/td>		Give<\/strong> me a hug<\/span>.

She gave<\/strong> him a kiss<\/span>.

He gives<\/strong> his dog a stroke<\/span> on the head.<\/td><\/tr>
talking<\/td>Advice
Answer
Information
Interview
Lecture
News
Report
Speech
Talk
Warning<\/td>		My mother gave<\/strong> me an advice<\/span> about my problem at work.

They gave<\/strong> a correct answer<\/span>.

The assistant gave<\/strong> me all the information<\/span> I need.

Did the mayor give<\/strong> an interview<\/span> to the press?

The professor gives<\/strong> lectures<\/span> at the university.

They gave<\/strong> me the good news<\/span>.

The police gave<\/strong> their report<\/span> about the incident to their chief.

She gave<\/strong> a speech<\/span> about climate change.

His parents gave<\/strong> him the talk<\/span> about internet safety.

Were the residents given<\/strong> a warning<\/span> about the power blackout?<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Make<\/strong> is used with: talking and sounds and plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

talking and sounds<\/td>Comment
Inquiry
Noise
Point
Promise
Sound
Speech
Suggestion<\/td>		She made<\/strong> a comment<\/span> about his looks and he felt offended.

The company is making<\/strong> an inquiry<\/span> about the incident.

Stop making<\/strong> so much noise<\/span>.

I think they are just trying to make<\/strong> a point<\/span>.

Do not make<\/strong> promises<\/span> you can\u2019t keep.

The washing machine is making<\/strong> this weird sound<\/span>.

Have you made<\/strong> your speech<\/span> for the rally tomorrow?

If we want to see changes, we need to make<\/strong> some suggestions<\/span>.<\/td><\/tr>
plans<\/td>Arrangements
Choice
Decision
Plan
Plans
Appointment
Date<\/td>		I\u2019m going to make<\/strong> arrangements<\/span> for the event.

You made<\/strong> your choice<\/span> when you left your job.

They need to make<\/strong> a decision<\/span> ASAP.

The team needs to make<\/strong> a good plan<\/span>.

I\u2019m making<\/strong> plans<\/span> with my parents for summer.

She needs to make<\/strong> an appointment<\/span> with her dentist.

You need to make<\/strong> a date<\/strong> for your wedding.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Go<\/strong> is used as a delexical verb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Shall we\u00a0go shopping<\/strong>\u00a0in Paris?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My cousins and I\u00a0went swimming<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are going dancing<\/strong>\u00a0tonight.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When talking about common activities, go<\/strong> is used with -ing verbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They often go walking<\/strong> in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They go running<\/strong> together on the weekends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My sister is not here. She has gone shopping<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go for a<\/strong> is used with verbs related to moving such as jog, ride, swim, run, stroll, walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She went for a<\/strong> quick job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They went for a <\/strong>ride on on their motorbikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All I did on my vacation was go for a<\/strong> swim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you want to go for a<\/strong> run later?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They went for a<\/strong> stroll downtown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do<\/strong> is used with –ing<\/em> nouns related to houseworks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s my turn to\u00a0do the laundry<\/strong>.
The children\u00a0did the washing up<\/strong>\u00a0and I\u00a0did the drying<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do<\/strong> is also used with other nouns related to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My parents are going to be late. They have a lot of work to do<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We need to do a few jobs<\/strong> around the family\u2019s farm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do<\/strong> with nouns is used for obvious actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll have to do my hair<\/strong> before you go out for your date. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you done your makeup?<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Some of the most common verbs\u00a0have\u00a0and\u00a0take\u00a0are used with nouns like\u00a0a shower,\u00a0a drink. have I need to have a coffee first. We\u00a0had\u00a0a drink last weekend. take I take a shower every morning. She took a shower after running this morning. These actions are called delexical verbs because the important part of the meaning is in the noun and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[309],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31091","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-grammar"],"yoast_head":"\nDelexical Verbs: Have, Take, Make, Give, Go, and Do | phone english blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/phoneenglish.es\/blog\/2025\/10\/delexical-verbs-have-take-make-give-go-and-do\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Delexical Verbs: Have, Take, Make, Give, Go, and Do | phone english blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Some of the most common verbs\u00a0have\u00a0and\u00a0take\u00a0are used with nouns like\u00a0a shower,\u00a0a drink. have I need to have a coffee first. We\u00a0had\u00a0a drink last weekend. take I take a shower every morning. She took a shower after running this morning. 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