She took little sips of the cold drink.
He took photographs of Vita in her summer house.
The newspaper made unpleasant remarks about his wife.
with uncountable noun
3.37 It is also occasionally possible to follow a delexical verb with an uncountable noun.
We have made progress in both science and art.
Cal took charge of this side of their education.
talking about a brief event
3.38 One difference in meaning between using a structure containing a delexical verb and a verb with a similar meaning is that the delexical structure can give the impression that the event you are describing is brief. For example, She gave a scream suggests that there was only one quick scream, whereas She screamed does not suggest that the event was brief.
Mr. Sutton gave a shout of triumph.
Zoe gave a sigh of relief.
He gave a laugh.
using adjectives
3.39 Another reason for choosing a delexical structure is that you can add further details about the event by using adjectives in front of the noun, rather than by using adverbs. It is more natural, for example, to say He gave a quick furtive glance round the room than to say He glanced quickly and furtively round the room.
He gave a long lecture about Roosevelt.
She had a good cry.
He was forced to make a humiliating apology.
These legends hold a romantic fascination for many Japanese.
nouns with no equivalent verb
3.40 There are some nouns used in delexical structures that do not correspond in form to a verb that has a similar meaning to the delexical structure. Sometimes there is such a verb, but the form is slightly different.
Work experience allows students to make more effective career decisions.
I decided I wouldn’t resign after all.
He made the shortest speech I’ve ever heard.
lain spoke candidly about the crash.
In other cases, there is no corresponding verb with a similar meaning at all and so there is no other structure that can be used.
He had been out all day taking pictures of the fighting.
That is a very foolish attitude to take.
She made a number of relevant points.
Try not to make so much noise.
nouns used with have
3.41 In most cases, only one delexical verb is used with any particular noun.
The following examples show nouns that are used after have.
They have a desperate need to communicate.
They had a fundamental belief in their own superiority.
She had a good cry.
Let’s not have a quarrel.
We should have a talk.
Here is a list of nouns that are used after have:
argument
belief
chat
cry
dance
disagreement
fall
fight
grouse
grumble
need
quarrel
respect
sleep
talk
nouns used with take
3.42 The following examples show nouns that are used after take.
He takes no interest in his children.
…kids taking turns to use a playground slide.
He was taking no chances.
She was prepared to take great risks.
Davis took the lead in blaming the pilots.
The Government fought against suggestions that it should take full blame for the affair.
Here is a list of nouns that are used after take. The first set of nouns are countable nouns; the second set of nouns are uncountable nouns or always either singular or pluraclass="underline"
attitude
chance
decision
interest
photo
photograph
picture
risk
turn
~
blame
care
charge
consequences
form
lead
offence
office
power
responsibility
shape
time
trouble
nouns used with give
3.43 Many nouns can be used after give.
Some of these nouns refer to noises that people make, or expressions they make with their face. Using give with one of these nouns often suggests that the action is involuntary or that it is not necessarily directed at other people. For example, She gave a scream suggests that she could not help screaming.
The young cashier gave a patient sigh.
Roger gave a grin of sheer delight.
He gave a shrill gasp of shock.
Both of them gave an involuntary little giggle.
He gave a soft chuckle.
Here is a list of nouns that refer to noises people make, or expressions they make with their face:
chuckle
cry
gasp
giggle
grin
groan
laugh
scowl
scream
shout
shriek
sigh
smile
sniff
snigger
whistle
yell
Another group of nouns are often preceded by an indirect object (that is, an object that refers to the person or thing that received the action) because they describe activities that involve someone else, apart from the subject.
They gave us a wonderfully warm welcome.
Elaine gave him a hug.
He gave her hand a squeeze.
He gave him a good kick.
She gave him a long kiss.
Here is a list of nouns that can be preceded by an indirect object:
clue
glance
hint
hug
kick
kiss
look
punch
push
ring
shove
slap
squeeze
welcome
A third group of nouns refer to actions involving something being said.
The poetry professor is required to give a lecture every term.
Lord Young will be giving a first-hand account of the economic difficulties the Russians are struggling to overcome.
Senator Brown has given warning that conflict over the plans could lead to a constitutional crisis.
Here is a list of nouns that refer to actions involving something being said: