tegusõnafraas

Tegusõnafraas, known in English as a verb phrase, is a grammatical unit consisting of a main verb and any auxiliary verbs, adverbs, or objects that modify it. In Estonian grammar, the verb phrase is a fundamental component of sentence structure, carrying the primary action or state of being. It is distinct from a simple verb in that it includes all the elements that work together to complete the verb's meaning.

A simple verb phrase might consist of just a single verb, for example, "loeb" (reads). However, it can also include auxiliary verbs, such as in "on lugenud" (has read) or "hakka lugema" (will start reading). Adverbs can also be part of the verb phrase, modifying the verb's action, as in "kiiresti loeb" (reads quickly). Furthermore, direct and indirect objects, along with prepositional phrases that function as complements, are often considered integral parts of the verb phrase, specifying who or what is affected by the action or where and when it occurs. For instance, in "loeb raamatut" (reads a book), "raamatut" (book) is the direct object and part of the verb phrase. Understanding the structure and components of the verb phrase is crucial for comprehending sentence construction and meaning in Estonian.