CGEL by Quirk et. al.:
Simple and complex verb phrases
3.54 The finite verb phrase is SIMPLE when it consists of only one word, which may be present, past (cf 3.2), imperative (cf 11.24), or subjunctive (cf 3.58):
He works hard. He worked hard; Work harder!
It is important that he work hard.
The parts in bold type are finite verb-phrases according to Quirk.
The verb phrase is COMPLEX when it consists of two or more words, as in :
John has worked hard. John should be working hard.
They may have been sold.
Mary is having a smoke
The parts in bold type, according to Quirk et. al., are VPs.
There are four basic types of construction in a complex verb phrase:
Type A (MODAL) consists of a modal auxiliary + the base of a verb: eg: must
examine.
Type B (PERFECTIVE) consists of the auxiliary HAVE + the -ed participle of a
verb : eg: has examined. (Traditionally the term PERFECT has been frequently
used instead of PERFECTIVE.)
Type C (PROGRESSIVE) consists of the auxiliary BE + the -ing participle of a
verb : eg : is examining.
Type D (PASSIVE) consists of the auxiliary BE + the -ed participle of a verb:
eg : is examined.
These four basic constructions also enter into combination with each other:
AB : may have examined
AC : may be examining
AD : may be examined
BC : has been examining
B D : has been examined
CD : is being examined
ABC : may have been examining
AB D : may have been examined
ACD : may be being examined
BCD : has been being examined
ABCD: may have been being examined
In these strings the different constructions are 'telescoped' into one another.
This means that combinations of the basic types A, B, etc form structures in
which the nonfinite verb of the first construction also functions as the auxiliary of the second, and so forth. For example, ABD (may haue been
examined) has the following structure, where have is shared by A and B, and
been is shared by B and D
The term verb is used in two senses:
1. The verb is one of the elements in clause structure, like the subject and the object.
2. A verb is a member if a word class, like a noun and an adjective.
The two senses are related in this way:
A verb phrase consists of one or more verbs; the verb phrase operates as the verb in the clause.
The verbs are in bold. :-D
They are verb-phrases (regarding their formal properties) operating (functioning) as the verb in the clause. :-D:up:
function and form; form and function
He is Peter.
Peter = noun phrase (form), predicate nominative (function) :up:
