light verb

In GRAMMAR, a term describing a VERB whose meaning is so unspecific that it needs a COMPLEMENT in order to function effectively as a PREDICATE. Examples in English include make, have and give, as used in such phrases as she made a sign, we had a look and they gave an answer. In many cases an alternative LEXICAL verb with a more specific meaning is available, as in she signed, we looked and they answered. The term is also used for such verbs as suru in Japanese – a thematically incomplete verb which adds CASE-marking to its complement but requires another verb in order to THETA-mark it. The notion is important in relation to the analysis of complex PREDICATION in GOVERNMENT-BINDING THEORY and the MINIMALIST PROGRAMME.