verb phrase

American  

noun

Grammar.

1. a group of words including a verb and its complements, objects, or other modifiers that functions syntactically as a verb. In English a verb phrase combines with a noun or noun phrase acting as subject to form a simple sentence.

2. a phrase consisting of a main verb and any auxiliaries but not including modifiers, objects, or complements.

---

verb phrase British  

noun

1.  VP.  grammar a constituent of a sentence that contains the verb and any direct and indirect objects but not the subject. It is a controversial question in grammatical theory whether or not this constituent is to be identified with the predicate of the sentence

---

Example Sentences

Indeed, it's a good habit to at least consider moving an adverb to the end of the verb phrase.

From The Guardian • Aug. 15, 2014

Indeed, it’s a good habit to at least consider moving an adverb to the end of the verb phrase.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

A verb phrase is a string of words of any length which fills a particular slot in a tree.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

It also determines the grammatical category of the phrase: in this case it is a verb phrase, a phrase built around a verb.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

They can also show up as an adjunct to a verb phrase or clause, as in She died young And They showed up drunk.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker