GUIDE ENGLISH GRAMMAR BOOK

11 BE, HAVE AND DO PAGE 110
87 Empty verbs
1 Compare these sentences.
We often swim in the pool.
We often have a swim in the pool.
The sentences have a very similar meaning. We can express some actions as a verb
(swim) or a verb + object (have a swim). The verb have is empty of meaning. Have
is the most common empty verb, but we can also use take, give, make and go.
These are all ordinary verbs and can be continuous.
We were having a swim.
2 Verb Empty verb + object
Leisure activities walk have/take a walk/go for a walk
run
have a run/go for a run
jog
have a jog/go for a jog
ride have a ridel go for a ride
swim have a swim/go for a swim
Resting and sleeping sit down have/take a seat
rest have/take a rest
lie down have a lie-down
sleep have a sleep
Eating and drinking eat have a meal/a snack/something to eat
drink have a drink/something to drink
Washing (yourself) wash have a wash
bath have/take a bath
shower have/take a shower
Speech talk have a talk/a word
chat have a chat
argue have an argument
explain give an explanation
complain make a complaint
suggest make a suggestion
Others act take action
decide make/take a decision
go/travel make a journey/take a trip
guess make/have a guess
laugh/smile give a laugh/smile
look have/take a look
try/attempt have a try/make an attempt
visit pay someone a visit
work do some work
3 Most expressions with empty verbs mean the complete action. A swim means a
period of swimming from start to finish. A walk means a complete journey on foot
which we do for pleasure.
Helen jumped in the water and swam a few strokes.
Helen went to the pool and had a swim.
We missed the bus, so we walked.
It was a lovely day so we went for a walk.