1

abstract verb

Rate this phrase:0.0 / 0 votes
Used other than as an idiom: see abstract, verb.
2

abstract verb

Rate this phrase:0.0 / 0 votes
A verb of motion whose motion is multidirectional (as opposed to unidirectional) or indirect, or whose action is repeated or in a series (iterative), instead of being a single, completed action. Abstract verbs are always imperfective in aspect, even with prefixes that are normally associated with the perfective aspect.

(abstract) I went to the post office. (there and back, multidirectional)
(concrete) I went to the post office. (and am there now, unidirectional)

(abstract) I went to the theater and had an accident. (the event occurred during the trip there and back)
(concrete) I went to the theater and had an accident. (the event occurred at the theater)

(abstract) I like to fly. (repeated action) Polish example: Lubię latać. (infinitive: latać)
(concrete) I flew to Frankfurt. (a single, completed action) Polish example: Poleciałem do Frankfurtu. (infinitive: (po)lecieć)

Translation

Find a translation for the abstract verb phrase in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to abstract verb

abstract awayabstract awayabstract ideaabstract ideaabstract nonsensein the abstract

Discuss this abstract verb phrase with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this abstract verb definition to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "abstract verb." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/idioms/abstract-verb>.

    Powered by CITE.ME Cite.Me

    We need you!

    Help us build the largest human-edited phrases collection on the web!

    Quiz

    Are you a phrases master?

    »
    _______ is a man's best friend.
    A a cat
    B a dog
    C a spouse
    D a log

    Browse Phrases.com

    #ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ