753: Performance-verbs Dec 30, 2016

There are lots of different types of verbs, and while kindergarten teachers do lot lie when saying, 'a verb is an action-word' they rarely explain the different types of actions. A performance-verb, for example, is one type that conveys the performed speech-act, or in other words, it explains what the action is as the action happens. 'Invite', 'congratulate', and 'forbid' are all performance-verbs, as should someone say, 'I invite you over' that sentence would itself be an invitation, while another sentence like, 'I will be a better person' does not make the speaker a better person.

I thank you (performance-verb) for reading and hope you keep this in mind while you write your new year's resolutions.