Verb-Intensifier Collocations in English

Sidney Greenbaum's Verb-Intensifier Collocations in English presents a systematic study of intensifier usage in the English language. This linguistic analysis focuses on words that modify verbs to express degree or emphasis. The book draws from extensive corpus research, examining authentic examples of English language usage across different contexts and time periods. Through statistical analysis and detailed categorization, Greenbaum documents patterns in how intensifiers pair with specific verbs. The work includes comprehensive data on frequently occurring verb-intensifier combinations and explores variations between British and American English usage. Tables and charts throughout provide quantitative evidence for the observed linguistic patterns. This research contributes to the broader understanding of how meaning is constructed and modified in English, with implications for both theoretical linguistics and practical language teaching.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Sidney Greenbaum's overall work: Readers consistently note Greenbaum's clarity in explaining complex grammatical concepts. The Oxford English Grammar and A Student's Grammar of the English Language receive particular attention for their systematic organization and detailed examples. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of difficult concepts - Comprehensive coverage of grammar rules - Practical examples from real usage - Logical organization and indexing - Usefulness as a reference tool What readers disliked: - Dense academic writing style - Limited coverage of informal language - High price point for textbooks - Some explanations too technical for beginners Ratings from academic platforms: Goodreads: The Oxford English Grammar - 4.2/5 (86 ratings) Amazon: Student's Grammar - 4.4/5 (52 reviews) One university instructor noted: "Greenbaum provides exactly what serious students need - thorough analysis backed by real examples." A graduate student wrote: "The technical terminology can be overwhelming at first, but the systematic approach helps master complex concepts." His works are primarily reviewed in academic contexts, with fewer general reader reviews available online.

English Collocations in Use by Michael McCarthy and Felicity O'Dell This reference work provides systematic analysis of collocational patterns with detailed examples from corpus linguistics.

Lexical Phrases and Language Teaching by James R. Nattinger and Jeanette S. DeCarrico The text examines fixed expressions and their functions through empirical research and linguistic theory.

Formulaic Language and the Lexicon by Alison Wray The book presents research on how prefabricated language chunks function in communication and language processing.

The Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English by Douglas Biber, Stig Johansson, Geoffrey Leech This corpus-based grammar explores patterns of word combinations across different registers of English.

Exploring the Lexis-Grammar Interface by Ute Römer and Rainer Schulze The work investigates the intersection between vocabulary and grammar through corpus linguistics methodology.

🔍 This groundbreaking 1970 study was one of the first comprehensive examinations of how intensifiers (words like "very," "extremely," and "totally") pair with specific verbs in English. 📚 Sidney Greenbaum conducted extensive research at University College London, where he later became Quain Professor of English Language and Literature. ⚡ The book demonstrates that certain intensifiers strongly prefer particular verbs - for example, "badly" tends to collocate with "need" and "want," while "deeply" often pairs with "regret" and "appreciate." 🎓 The methodology used in this book influenced countless later studies in corpus linguistics and helped establish collocational analysis as a vital tool in language research. 🌍 Greenbaum's findings have proven valuable not just for linguistics but also for English language teaching, helping students understand natural-sounding word combinations rather than just grammatical rules.