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Verb - Definition, Types, Use & Examples, Worksheet

Verbs: The Energetic Engines of Language

Definition : 

A word that makes a sentence and expresses action about the subject of a sentence is called as "Verb".

For example: Run, Play, Read, Fly, See, etc.

1. Introduction

Verbs are the lively engines that power our language, driving our sentences with action and vitality. These action-packed words bring our ideas to life, expressing what we do, feel, and experience. Without verbs, our language would be static and lifeless. In this friendly guide, we'll dive into the world of verbs, exploring their definition, types, and why they are the driving force behind effective communication.

2. What Are Verbs?

Verbs are like the superheroes of language – they show action, state of being, or existence in a sentence. They are the "doers" that allow us to convey activities, emotions, and connections between elements. Verbs are the dynamic heartbeat that brings energy and life to our language.

3. Types of verbs

  •  Verbs can be classified as Main verb & Helping verb. 

3.1. Main verb - (Shows action or state)

3.2. Helping Verbs - (Shows time of action)

     Helping verbs are of two types:

    a. Primary 

  1. To be  (am, is, are / was, were / will be)
  2. To do  (do, does / did / will do )
  3. To have (have, has / had / will have)

     b. Secondary (Modal Auxiliaries)



Main verb, Helping verb, Auxiliary verb, Use of verb, To be, To do, To have, Regular verbs, irregular verbs

Verbs are one of the essential parts of speech in the English language, and they can be categorized into several types based on their functions, forms, and meanings. Here are some common types of verbs:

1. Action Verbs: 

  • Action verbs, also known as dynamic verbs, express physical or mental actions performed by the subject.

Examples: run, eat, sleep, think, write, jump, speak.

2. State verbs:

State verbs, also called stative verbs, describe a state or condition rather than an action. They represent feelings, thoughts, senses, or states of being.

Example: "He knows the answer."


3. Auxiliary Verbs (Helping Verbs): 

  • Auxiliary verbs assist the main verb in forming different tenses, voices, moods, or aspects.

Examples: be, have, do.


4. Linking Verbs: 

  • These verbs connect the subject of a sentence with a noun, pronoun, or adjective that renames or describes the subject.

Examples: am, is, are, was, were, appear, seem, become, feel.

See also : Auxiliary verbs vs. Linking verbs


5. Modal Verbs: 

  • These auxiliary verbs express necessity, possibility, ability, permission, or obligation. They are used with other verbs to indicate mood or tense.

Examples: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would.


6. Phrasal Verbs: 

  • These are combinations of verbs and one or more particles (prepositions, adverbs) that together have a different meaning than the individual words. 

Example: "give up" meaning to surrender or stop trying.

Understanding these various types of verbs can help in constructing grammatically correct sentences and expressing different meanings effectively.


4. Categories of Verbs


4.1. Transitive and Intransitive Verbs:

1. Transitive Verbs: 

  • These verbs require a direct object to complete their meaning. They transfer action from the subject to the object.

Example: She ate the cake. ("ate" is transitive because it requires a direct object, "cake")

2. Intransitive Verbs: 

  • These verbs do not require a direct object to complete their meaning. They express an action or state that does not require an object.

Example: He slept. ("slept" is intransitive because it doesn't require a direct object)


4.2. Regular and Irregular Verb

1. Regular Verbs: 

  • These verbs form their past tense and past participle by adding -ed to the base form.

Example: walk (base form), walked (past tense/past participle).

2. Irregular Verbs: 

  • These verbs form their past tense and past participle in irregular ways and do not follow the typical -ed pattern.

Example: go (base form), went (past tense), gone (past participle).


4.3. Dynamic and Stative Verbs

1. Dynamic Verbs: 

  • These verbs express actions, processes, or changes.

Examples: walk, eat, talk, study.

2. Stative Verbs: 

  • These verbs express a state or condition rather than an action.

Examples: love, hate, own, believe.

See also: Dynamic verbs vs. Stative Verbs


5. Verb Forms: Root, V1, V2, V3, -ing, and Gerund

Ready to dive into the world of verbs? Buckle up because we're about to explore verb forms – the magic that brings action to your speaking & writing skills!

So, what's the deal with Root, V1, V2, V3, -ing and Gerund? Let's break it down.

5.1. Root :

The root form of a verb, also known as the base form or infinitive, is the simplest form of the verb and typically the form listed in dictionaries. In English, the root form of a verb usually consists of the word itself without any inflections, such as tense or person markers. For example:  "To jump", "To eat", "To run", etc. 

It can be used as noun in a sentence. For example: "She likes to sing", "To learn a new language is my goal".

5.2. Present (V1): 

This is your basic verb form, like "jump," "eat," or "run." It's the present tense form. If the subject is third person singular (He, She, It) or noun singular, we add -s, -es to it. Like "jumps", eats", "runs". 

5.3. Past (V2): 

Now we're talking about the past! V2 is where verbs like "jumped," "ate," or "ran" come into play. It's like hitting rewind on the action to talk about what happened before.

5.4. Past participle (V3): 

Time to get fancy! V3, also known as the past participle, adds a touch of sophistication to your speaking & writing skills. Think "jumped," "eaten," or "run." It's used with helping verbs like "have" or "has" to show completed actions.

5.5. Present participle (-ing): 

Ah, the present participle! Adding "-ing" to verbs like "jumping," "eating," or "running" gives your speaking &  writing a sense of ongoing action. It's perfect for describing what's happening right at this moment.

5.6. Gerund:

A gerund is a verb form that functions as a noun in a sentence. It is created by adding the suffix "-ing" to the base form of the verb. Gerunds can be used as subjects, objects, or complements in sentences.

For example:

  1. "Running is good exercise." (Here, "running" is the gerund functioning as the subject of the sentence.)
  2. "I enjoy cooking." (Here, "cooking" is the gerund functioning as the object of the verb "enjoy.")
  3. "His favorite activity is swimming." (Here, "swimming" is the gerund functioning as the complement of the verb "is.")

Gerunds can also be used in various grammatical constructions, such as gerund phrases:

  1. "She is fond of reading books."
  2. "After finishing her homework, she went to bed."

In both sentences above, "reading books" and "finishing her homework" are gerund phrases.

So, why does all this matter? Well, understanding verb forms helps you express yourself clearly and adds variety to your writing. Whether you're telling a story, writing an essay, or just chatting with friends, playing with verb forms makes your language more colorful and interesting.

So go ahead, sprinkle some Root, V1, V2, V3, -ing, Gerund into your sentences and watch your speaking & writing skills come to life!


6. Regular vs. Irregular Verbs: Making Sense of Action Words

Have you ever wondered why some verbs seem to follow the rules, while others march to the beat of their own drum? Let's learn about regular and irregular verbs – the dynamic duo of the language world!

6.1. Regular Verbs: 

These are the rule-followers, the predictable pals of the verb world. They stick to a pattern when it comes to changing tense. For example, "walk" becomes "walked" in the past tense, and "play" becomes "played." Easy peasy!

6.2. Irregular Verbs: 

Now, these are the rebels, the rule-breakers that keep us on our toes! They don't follow the standard pattern when changing tense. Instead, they have unique forms for past and past participle. Take "go" for example – its past tense is "went," not "goed" like you might expect.

So, why does this matter? Understanding regular and irregular verbs helps us speak and write correctly. It's like having a secret code to unlock the full potential of our language! Whether you're telling a story, writing a report, or just having a conversation, knowing which verbs are regular and which are irregular makes your language more clear and precise.

So, embrace the regulars and embrace the rebels – they're all part of what makes our language so vibrant and exciting!


7. Verb Tenses

Verbs have various tenses, indicating when an action occurs. Each tense shows a different point in time, allowing us to talk about the past, present, and future:

7.1. Present Tense:

The present tense refers to actions happening right now. Examples include "talk," "eat," and "play."

7.2. Past Tense:

The past tense is used for actions that have already happened. Examples include "talked," "ate," and "played."

7.3. Future Tense:

The future tense is used for actions that will happen in the future. Examples include "will talk," "will eat," and "will play."

Above mentioned three tenses have four sub-types each "Simple", "Continuous", "Perfect", "Perfect Continuous". This is how there are 12 verb tenses.


8. Uses of  Main Verb

8.1. V1 - Present form

  • Simple Present Tense

e.g. I play football daily.
       He plays football daily.

  • Simple Future Tense

e.g. I will play football tomorrow

8.2. V2 - Past Form

  • Simple Past Tense

e.g. I played football yesterday.

8.3. V3- Past participle

  • In Perfect Tenses


Remember, "To Be, To Do, To Have" can be used as main verb also.


9. Why Verbs Matter?

Verbs are the life force that propels our language forward, and they play a crucial role in effective communication:

1. Action and Movement:

Verbs allow us to describe actions, adding energy and excitement to our sentences.

2. Time and Tense:

Verbs help us talk about different timeframes, allowing us to discuss the past, present, and future.

3. Connecting Ideas:

Verbs link subjects and complements, helping us provide more information about a subject.

4. Expressing Possibilities:

Verbs, especially helping verbs, allow us to express possibilities, desires, abilities, and more.


10. Conclusion

Verbs are the dynamic engines that keep our language in motion. From action verbs that depict movement to linking verbs that connect ideas, and helping verbs that form verb phrases, these linguistic powerhouses play a vital role in expressing action, time, and connections. So, let verbs be your enthusiastic companions on the journey of effective communication, adding energy and life to your language!

See also : 


11. Verb Worksheet/ Exercise

Instructions: Read each sentence carefully and identify the Verb. Write the Verb you find in the space provided.

1. The dog barked loudly at the mailman.

Verb: _________________

2. She dances beautifully on stage.

Verb: _________________

3. The children played in the park all afternoon.

Verb: _________________

4. He sings in the choir at church every Sunday.

Verb: _________________

5. We cooked dinner together last night.

Verb: _________________

6. The sun sets in the west every evening.

Verb: _________________

7. They studied for their exams late into the night.

Verb: _________________

8. My cat sleeps on my bed every night.

Verb: _________________

9. The birds chirped happily in the trees outside.

Verb: _________________

10. I read a book before going to bed.

Verb: _________________


Answers:

  1. Verb: barked
  2. Verb: dances
  3. Verb: played
  4. Verb: sings
  5. Verb: cooked
  6. Verb: sets
  7. Verb: studied
  8. Verb: sleeps
  9. Verb: chirped
  10. Verb: read

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