Therefore, "syntactically in verbs" means how verbs function within a sentence's structure. Here are some aspects of verbs that are "syntactically" significant:
* Verb Phrase: Verbs often form the core of a verb phrase, which can include auxiliary verbs (helping verbs) and other elements like adverbs. For example, "is eating" is a verb phrase composed of the auxiliary verb "is" and the main verb "eating."
* Subject-Verb Agreement: Verbs must agree with their subjects in number (singular or plural). For instance, "she *walks*" (singular subject, singular verb) vs. "they *walk*" (plural subject, plural verb).
* Transitivity: Verbs are either transitive or intransitive. Transitive verbs require a direct object, while intransitive verbs do not.
* Transitive: "The dog *chased* the ball." (The verb "chased" requires a direct object, "ball.")
* Intransitive: "The dog *ran*." (The verb "ran" does not need an object.)
* Voice: Verbs can be active or passive.
* Active: "The cat *caught* the mouse." (The subject, "cat," performs the action.)
* Passive: "The mouse *was caught* by the cat." (The subject, "mouse," receives the action.)
* Tense: Verbs indicate time. They can be past, present, or future, and can also express other temporal nuances like perfect and progressive tenses.
In summary: "Syntactically in verbs" refers to how verbs function within the grammar of a sentence, including their relationship to other words, their agreement with subjects, their transitivity, voice, and tense.