Alternation ‘Have-a-VP(nominal)’ (Coded)

The main verb have combines with a "semi-verbal" complement that appears with an indefinite article. 'S had a VP(nominal)' implies 'S VP', e.g. He had a look at my stamp collection implies He looked at my stamp collection. It normally implies the activity took a short time, lacked an external goal and was repeatable; something like pleasurability or benefit is also often implied.

Verb Meaning Verb form Basic coding frame Derived coding frame Occurs Comment # Ex.