Compound Verb

Compound Verbs

A compound verb is a verb that consists of more than one word. There are several types of compound verbs including: prepositional verbs, phrasal verbs, verbs with auxiliaries, and compound single-word verbs. Let's find out about each of these types of verbs.

Types of Compound Verbs

A prepositional verb is when a verb and a preposition come together to form a new phrase. Prepositional verbs may not be separated within a sentence.

For example:

• Mr. DeJulius asked for sources to be cited on our research paper.
• Michael argues with Robert about politics.

A phrasal verb is when a verb and a word from another part of speech combine to function as a verb. Phrasal verbs are sometimes disconnected within the sentence. Frequently, the two words that comprise a phrasal verb do not retain their literal meaning.

For example:

• Tammy ran away from home.
• Patrick looked up the phone numbers of all the members.

A verb with auxiliaries combines a helping verb (have, has, had, am, be, been, is, are, was, or were) with another verb.

For example:

• Mrs. Behrens was helping another student, so she could not answer my question.
• Tiffany is washing her car.

A compound single-word verb is when a compound word, whether separated by a hyphen or not, functions as the verb.

For example:

• Jaimie daydreams during class.
• Darlene sight-reads sheet music.

Exercises

For each of the following sentences, decide if the compound verb is a prepositional verb, phrasal verb, verb with auxiliaries, or a compound single-word verb.

• Paul snowboards every Thanksgiving.
• The teachers have asked the students to be in their seats when the bells ring.
• Hang on a minute while I change my clothes.
• The mother cat cares for her young.

How do you think you did? The correct answers are:

• Snowboards is the compound verb.
• Have asked is the verb with auxiliaries.
• Hang on is the phrasal verb.
• Cares for is the prepositional verb.