Abstract:This study aims to investigate and discuss the compiling of the delexicalized verb constructions（DVCs）in general English-Chinese dictionaries. Delexicalized verbs（Dvs） are also named as “light verbs” (Leech, 2006:60), which refer to the verbs that collaborate with a verbal noun and the meaing of such verbs are delexicalized. Allerton (2002) classified Dvs as high frequency, medium frequency and low frequency verbs. Generally speaking, the meanings of these verbs are relatively broad, so it’s really hard to identify and explain them. The author will take A New English-Chinese Dictionary (century edition), A Multifunction English-Chinese Dictionary (second edition), Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English(7th edition) and LONGMAN Dictionary of Contemporary English（third edition with New Words Supplement） as reference tool books and probe into the way in which the above-mentioned dictionaries define and arrange Dvs by making some statistics. In this way, we will find out the advantages and shortcomings of different dictionaries.

Key words: delexicalized verbs; delexicalized verb constructions; representation; general English-Chinese dictionaries

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction1

2. Literature Review ..1

3. The Dedinition of Delexicalized Verbs and Delexicalized Verb Constructions.2

3.1 The Definition of Delexicalized Verbs

3.2 The Definition of Delexicalized Verb Constructions

4. The Classification of Delexicalized Verb Constructions...4

4.1 Delexicalized Verb Constructions

4.2 Semi-Delexicalized Verb Constructions

5. The Compiling of the Delexicalized Verb Constructions in General English-Chinese Dictionaries. ..5

6. Findings and Discussion.....7

7. Suggestions for the Compiling of the Delexicalized Verb Constructions..9

8. Conclusion..9

Bibliography.10

Acknowledgements..11