So that we can understand about the subject on which we will discuss, we must be aware of an aspect that is preponderant: the fact that the predicate is constituted by a verb or a verbal phrase. Thus, depending on the role they both play in a given context, verbs can be classified into notional and non-notional. In this sense, let us make sure of the characteristics that guide each of the modalities in question:
notional verbs
Those verbs that express processes are classified as such, that is, they indicate action, desire, mental activity, natural phenomenon, event, etc. Adding to these assumptions, it is worth emphasizing that they will always be the core of the predicates they are part of. Knowing some of them, we have:
TO DANCE
TO DO
TO DRIVE
BORN
WISH
THUNDER
LIGHTNING
THINK
TO INTEND...
non-notional verbs
They are defined by those that express the subject's state of being, better known as connecting verbs. As for them, it is worth mentioning that, unlike what happens with the notionals, even though they are part of the predicate, they do not represent the nucleus of this (predicate). Examples are:
Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)
TO BE
BE
TO STAY
WALK
CONTINUE
TURN
STAY
BECOME
PERSIST
TO FINISH...
Analyzing some of them, it may even be that, at first, we can ask ourselves about the meaning they represent, as many relate “visibly” to the action. However, when it comes to the context in which they are inserted, they no longer denote action, but state. Thus, only the communicative situation will give us clues to classify them in this modality. So let's look at two examples:
The girl turned into a beast.
Indicates the girl's state of being, therefore, a non-notional verb.
The girl turned her foot.
Notional verb, indicating action.
By Vânia Duarte
Graduated in Letters
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
DUARTE, Vânia Maria do Nascimento. "Notional and non-notional verbs"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/gramatica/verbos-nocionais-nao-nocionais.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
