Abstract：Abstract: Under the framework of functional grammar, the study makes general and systemic analysis to the syntax and meaning of English “hypotactic verbal group complexes”, interprets the semantic relation of internal structure, clarifies the properties of “hypotactic verbal group complexes” and reconfirms the notion of “verbal group complexes”. The paper holds that the phenomenon of the unit complex does not exist at the rank of verbal groups. Specifically, Verbal group complexes fall under the categories of verbal groups and clause complexes. General and passive form of “Hypotactic expanding verbal group complexes” share similarities with verbal groups, consisting of auxiliaries and non-finite verbal groups; causative form of “Hypotactic expanding verbal group complexes” and “hypotactic projecting verbal group complexes” which express two events belong to clause complexes. Key words: “hypotactic verbal group complexes”; meaning; syntactic function
