take a verb

Frequency: 6.06.8 per million words

Used in grammar to describe a noun that requires a specific type of verb (e.g. singular or plural).

verbVERB + VERB

Categories:

take

Examples (10)

  • The word 'government' can take a singular or plural verb.
  • Collective nouns like 'team' can sometimes take either a singular or plural verb.
  • A transitive verb must take a direct object to complete its meaning.
  • An intransitive verb does not take an object; it expresses a complete thought on its own.
  • The subject of a sentence dictates which form the verb should take for agreement.
  • In some languages, the verb needs to take a specific ending based on the gender of the subject.
  • Modal verbs typically take the base form of another verb immediately after them.
  • Historically, certain nouns used to take a different verb conjugation than they do today.
  • Does this particular collective noun always take a singular verb, or can it be plural?
  • Always ensure your verb will take the correct tense and agreement according to grammatical rules.