The study focuses on the interface between verb semantics, pragmatics and syntax. It examines three main aspects of syntax: (1) structural (or formal) syntax; (2) semantic syntax; (3) communicative syntax. The concept of verb valency is seen as a potential of a lexeme and as a textual- situational realization of this potential. Main approaches to verb valency are explored. Within semantic syntax the verb is a structural and semantic center of the sentence. Verb valency can be marked formally. According to the semantic approach the concept of semantic roles and their main types are examined. Within the current semantic pragmatic approach verbs do not only determine their environment but also are determined by it. Lines of thought are illustrated with examples from English civil engineering discourse. The study outcomes can be used in: (1) lexicography in compiling valency dictionaries for the English language; (2) computational linguistics in semantic parsing of natural language; (3) delivering a course of lectures on lexical semantics, verb semantics and syntax at tertiary institutions.