In phrase structure grammars such as generative grammar, the verb phrase is one headed by a verb. It may be composed of only a single verb, but typically it consists of combinations of main and auxiliary verbs, plus optional specifiers, complements (not including subject complements), and adjuncts.he third example presents three elements, the main verb gave, the noun Mary, and the noun phrase a book, all which comprise the verb phrase. Note, the verb phrase described here corresponds to the predicate of traditional grammar.
Origin of phrase waiting for the other shoe to drop. Posted by C Pfeil on October 26, 2001. Anyone have an idea as to the origin of the phrase waiting for the other shoe to drop? Waiting for the other shoe to drop ESC 10/26/01.
back of the foot, Old English hela, from Proto-Germanic *hanhilon (cf. Old Norse hÃ¦ll, Old Frisian hel, Dutch hiel), from PIE *kenk- (3) heel, bend of the knee (cf. Old English hoh hock). Meaning back of a shoe or boot is c.1400. Down at heels (1732) refers to heels of boots or shoes worn down and the owner too poor to replace them. For Achilles' heel only vulnerable spot see Achilles. To fight with (one's) heels (fighten with heles) in Middle English meant to run away..