Page 199 - English - Teaching Academic Esl Writing

LEXICAL CLASSES OF VERBS 185
abandon fa direction/venture] accelerate [growth/development] access [information/facilities] accompany [innovation/change] accumulate [resources/ capital] acquire [meaning/business]
adhere [to rules/guidance /direction] adjust [figures/course of action]
According to Biber's, et al. (1999) findings, in academic text the most common activity verbs include in declining order (including various forms and combinations with other words):
make use show provide obtain give deal move apply reduce take with produce form
These verbs also provide an effective venue for two- and three-word verb or idiom practice, e.g.
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make up—consist (of)—form; also idiomatic expressions: make a differ- ence, make do, make time, make way,make something up
take up—start; take out—remove—omit; take on—undertake; also idi- omaticexpressions:takeplace,takepart,taketime(money/space), take something well/badly
give off-—emit—produce; give up—stop—leave—abandon; give in— agree (unwillingly); also give a thought, give time, give impression,give credit, give authority
Practice materials for these common verbs can be found in various types of print media and used for group or individual work in context (see also Teaching Strategies later in this chapter). For example, newspapers (and news article titles) and other authentic materials provide a wealth of oppor- tunities for exposure to activityverbs:
• Heinz will catch up in California (Seattle Times, January 31, 2001)
• Making wayfor theNew Student Center (The Spectator, February 8, 2001)
• New clam showing up in Oregon (Seattle Times, March 23, 2001)
• More college students drop out than graduate (Yahoo Daily News, August
15,2001)
On the other hand, such basic activity verbs such as buy, put, pay, bring,
meet, play, run, or wait are hardly ever encountered in academic prose, even
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