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Monday, March 23, 2015

Verb Sequence in Finite Verb Phrases-2

Even if there are two, three or even four verbs in a finite verb phrase, the tense always combines with the first verb morpheme (morphemes are written in capital letters):

Examples; 

Henry can swim well (PResent tense goes with CAN, the first verb morpheme)

Henry has swum the English Channel (PResent tense goes with HAVE, the first verb morpheme)

Henry will be swimming across Lake Titicaca tomorrow (PResent tense goes with WILL, the first verb morpheme, so BE and SWIM have no tense).