main verb

A 'main verb' is crucial in conveying the primary action or state of the subject in a sentence, distinct from auxiliary verbs.

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ US Voice:
πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ UK Voice:

Definition

A2General Grammar

(basic, educational)The primary verb in a sentence that shows the main action or state of the subject.

Example

  • In the sentence 'She runs every morning,' 'runs' is the main verb.

B2Linguistics

(technical, academic)The verb in a clause that carries the highest semantic content, as opposed to auxiliary verbs.

Example

  • In 'He has finished his homework,' 'finished' is the main verb, while 'has' is an auxiliary verb.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "main verb":

strong verbverb phrasedeterminate verbweak verbindeterminate verbactive voice