phosphverb

Phosphverb is a term used in the field of linguistics to describe a verb that requires a complement consisting of a prepositional phrase beginning with "to" or "for". This type of verb is often referred to as a "dative" verb, as it typically involves the transfer of something to someone. The complement can indicate the recipient of the action, the purpose of the action, or the beneficiary of the action.

Examples of phosphverbs include "give", "send", "teach", and "write". In the sentence "She gave the book to her friend", "give" is a phosphverb because it requires the prepositional phrase "to her friend" to complete its meaning. Similarly, in the sentence "He sent the letter for his mother", "send" is a phosphverb because it requires the prepositional phrase "for his mother".

Phosphverbs are an important aspect of verb complementation and play a crucial role in the structure and meaning of sentences in many languages. They are often studied in the context of grammar and syntax, and their usage can vary depending on the language and the specific context in which they are used.