CATENATIVE VERB

Examples of Catenative Construction

Catenative verb is a chain of verbs occurring recursively in which all except the last have a non–finite complement.

It is that sort of verb which controls a non–finite complement.

In simple definition, catenative means chaining and reflects the way that the verb can link recursively with other catenatives to form a chain.

For Example:
  • We decided to try to buy a house near the water park.

There are various constructive elements in this sentence:

  • first, there is a chain of three verbs: decide, try and buy
  • second, to try to buy a house near the water park functions as the catenative complement of decide, and
  • third, to buy a house near the water park functions as the catenative complements of try.
Consider also this sentence:
  • She seems to want to stop trying to avoid meeting him.

In the sentence, all the head verbs have a non-finite clause as complement. These are shown in the chart below:

Head VerbComplement
seemsto want to stop trying to avoid meeting him
wantto stop trying to avoid meeting him
stoptrying to avoid meeting him
tryingto avoid meeting him
avoidmeeting him
  • All the non–finite clause in the complement column functions as catenative complements.
  • The head verbs in the first column are catenative verbs; and each of these verbs + complement pair forms what is called a catenative construction.

Like auxiliary verbsOpens in new window, catenative verbs are used in front of a main verb in its infinitiveOpens in new window form (including to).

Note that catenative verbs are sometimes used in combination with one another.

For Example:
    • She managed to seem to be surprised.
    • As time passes we begin to get to know each other better.
  • Share

Trending Collections

Recommended Books to Flex Your Knowledge