This study examined the use of single- versus multi-word verbs in writing samples from Iranian English language learners. It analyzed 100 essays written by intermediate and advanced learners and found that intermediate learners used significantly more single-word verbs, while advanced learners used more phrasal and prepositional verbs. The results suggest that learners' use of verb complexity increases with proficiency and native-like verb usage takes time to develop fully.

1. International Letters of Social and Humanistic Sciences Submitted: 2016-03-01
ISSN: 2300-2697, Vol. 69, pp 85-92 Revised: 2016-04-16
doi:10.18052/www.scipress.com/ILSHS.69.85 Accepted: 2016-04-28
© 2016 SciPress Ltd., Switzerland Online: 2016-05-16
SciPress applies the CC-BY 4.0 license to works we publish: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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10.18052/www.scipress.com/ILSHS.69
Use of Single- vs. Multi-Word Verbs in the Written Discourse of Iranian EFL Learners
10.18052/www.scipress.com/ILSHS.69.85