‘If you know how to handle the verbs, you know how to handle the language. Everything else is just vocabulary.’ Michel Thomas
Types of Verbs
1. Action Verbs
Definition: Express actions that a subject performs.
Examples: run, write, jump, think, eat
1 A. Stative Verbs – These are another type to action verbs (Without physical action)
Definition: Describe a state or condition rather than an action.
Examples: know, believe, like, own, belong
Example in a sentence: She knows the answer.
1 B. Types of Action Verbs:
a. Transitive Verbs: Require an object to complete their meaning.
Example: She reads a book. (reads acts on the object book.)
b. Intransitive Verbs: Do not require an object.
Example: He runs every morning. (runs does not act on an object.)
2. State of being verb
These verbs tell us about the state/condition, and location of something or someone (In present, past and future-times) am, is, are, was, were and will be, are mostly used as state of bing verbs.
Example: She is a teacher/They are Americans./I was at home yesterday./They will be here in a few minutes.
3. Modal Verbs
Definition: A type of auxiliary verb that expresses necessity, possibility, permission, or ability.
Examples: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would
Example in a sentence: You must study for the exam.
NOTE : We will be discussing the above three verbs in detail in our future Blogs. Following verbs are just for information.
4. Linking Verbs
Definition: Connect the subject to more information about the subject (a subject complement). These verbs do not show action.
Examples: be, seem, become, appear, feel
Example in a sentence: She is a doctor. (is links the subject she to the complement doctor.)
5. Helping (Auxiliary) Verbs
Definition: Help the main verb to form tense, mood, or voice.
Examples: is, are, was, were, have, has, do, will, shall
Example in a sentence: They are running late. (are helps the main verb running to show present continuous tense.)
NOTE: Verbs that act both as ‘main verb’ and helping verb (=auxiliary verb)
Example: What do (Helping verb) you do (Main verb) for a living
6. Modal Verbs
Definition: A type of auxiliary verb that expresses necessity, possibility, permission, or ability.
Examples: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would etc.
Example in a sentence: You must study for the exam.
7. Regular and Irregular Verbs
Regular Verbs: Form their past tense and past participle by adding “-ed” or “-d.”
Example: talk → talked
Irregular Verbs: Form their past tense and past participle in unpredictable ways.
Example: go → went → gone
8. Phrasal Verbs
Definition: Verbs combined with prepositions or adverbs, often changing the verb’s meaning.
Examples: look after, give up, break down
Example in a sentence: She gave up smoking.
Understanding these types of verbs helps in constructing meaningful and grammatically correct sentences.
NOTE: A verb can also start at the beginning of the sentence.
“Throw the ball at the catcher”
“Run towards the finish line”
