Notional verbs and non-notional verbs. Notional Verb Traits

To understand about the subject that is presently present means, above all, to be aware that the VERB represents the nucleus, the most representative part, in the case of the predicate. Moving on, always starting from this principle, in order to analyze the role that this same verb plays, it is of fundamental importance to divide it into two specific groups: Notional verbs and non-notional verbs.

Thus, in light of this linguistic reality, let us turn our gaze to the analysis of the characteristics that guide both modalities - a fact that will help us significantly in the understanding about the relationship that exists between the subject and the verb and between it (the verb) and the respective complements that can be attributed to it - assumptions which underlie the call verbal predication.
In this sense, let's go to the first group: the notionals. They, in turn, conceptualize themselves as those that express processes, that is, they indicate action, mental activity, natural phenomenon, desire, event.

So, when talking about them, it is always good to remember that they represent the core of the predicates of which they are part. Citing some examples, we have:

BORN

LIGHTNING

REASON

WISH

TO JUDGE

TO INTEND

THINK

TO OCCUR

CONSIDER

SING...

The considered non-notional verbs are represented by those that express a notion of state, specifically known as connecting verbs. They, unlike the notionals, although being part of the predicate, do not act as its nucleus. Let's look at some representative cases:

TO BE

BE

CONTINUE

STAY

TO STAY

WALK

PASS

FIND YOURSELF

BECOME

TO FINISH

Another prerogative, also of equal importance in this study, concerns the fact that the contextin which a given verb is used to be the fundamental element for such characterization, taking into account the two modalities discussed herein. In other words, in order to know if a verb is notional or non-notional, it is necessary, first, to analyze the situation in which it finds itself used. Let's look at the examples, therefore:

Carlos walks fast

Notional verb, once indicating action.

Carlos is sad.

Non-notional verb, thus signaling the state in which the subject is (Carlos).


By Vânia Duarte
Graduated in Letters

Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/gramatica/verbos-nocionais-verbos-nao-nocionais.htm

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