Stiverbs

Stiverbs are a linguistic concept describing verbs that can take either a direct object or a prepositional phrase, where the prepositional phrase is semantically equivalent to a direct object. This means the verb's meaning remains largely the same regardless of the grammatical structure used. For example, "He looked at the house" and "He looked the house" (though the latter is less common in modern English, it exists in certain contexts or dialects) convey a similar core meaning of directing one's gaze towards the house.

The concept is often discussed in relation to verb transitivity. Stiverbs exhibit a form of double transitivity where the object can be either a noun phrase or a prepositional phrase. This flexibility can sometimes lead to subtle shifts in emphasis or nuance, but the fundamental action of the verb is preserved. Examples of stiverbs in English include verbs like "read," "play," "eat," and "write," though the degree to which they function as stiverbs can vary. For instance, "She read the book" and "She read to her children" are both common and understandable.

The term "stiverb" is not as widely established as other grammatical terms and might be found more in specialized linguistic discussions or specific theoretical frameworks. Understanding stiverbs helps in analyzing the flexibility of verb usage and the relationship between syntax and semantics in language. It highlights how different grammatical constructions can express very similar ideas, contributing to the richness and adaptability of communication.