This dissertation examines, within a structural and functional perspective and based on the valency grammar, the linguistic structures of the verbs of measurement (measure, weigh, cost and last) with the specific aim of discussing the grammatical relations of their phrasal elements. From a traditional standpoint, the verbs herein studied are classified either as transitive or as intransitive and the elements to their right denominated direct objects or adverbials. This concept of transitivity, however, is insufficient in analyzing the myriad uses of these verbs. From the issues raised in this paper, a syntactic-semantic analysis is provided. The conclusion illustrates that classifying the clause elements is restrictive since it does not take into account the diversity of semantic features expressed in these clauses, culminating in a need for rethinking the traditional teaching paradigm of syntactic analysis used by many schools.