Part of the speech

Parts of the speech.

Verb.

What is a Verb?

A verb express action, events, or states of being. Many verbs give the idea of action, of "doing" something.0Run, fight and work.

But some verbs do not give the idea of action; they give the idea of existence, of state, of "being".0Be, exist, seem and belong.

A verb always has a subject.0 John speaks english.

Verb Classification0Helping verbs0Main verbs

Helping verbs

Auxiliary verbs.Helping verbs have no meaning on their own.We usually use helping verbs with main verbs. They "help" the main verb .

0Primary helping verbs.0Modal helping verbs.

Primary helping verbs

0BeTo make continuous tenses = He is watching TV.To make the passive = Small fish are eaten by big fish.

0Haveto make perfect tenses = I have finished my homework.

0DoTo make negatives = I do not like you.To ask questions = Do you want some coffee?To show emphasis = I do want you to pass your exam.To stand for a main verb in some constructions = He speaks faster than she does.

Modal helping verbs

We use modal helping verbs to "modify" the meaning of the main verb in some way.Can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must, ought to.

Here are examples using modal verbs:0 I can't speak Chinese.0 John may arrive late.0Would you like a cup of coffee?0You should see a doctor.0 I really must go now.

Main verb

Main verbs have meaning on their own.

0Transitive and intransitive verbs.0Linking verbs0Dynamic and stative verbs.0Regular and irregular verbs

Transitive and intransitive verbs.

A transitive verb takes a direct object.0 I saw an elephant.0We are watching TV.0He speaks English.An intransitive verb does not have a direct object.0He has arrived.0 John goes to school.0She speaks fast.

Linking verbs

A linking verb does not have much meaning in itself.

0Mary is a teacher. (mary = teacher)0Tara is beautiful. (tara = beautiful)0That sounds interesting. (that = interesting)0The sky became dark. (the sky > dark)0The bread has gone bad. (bread > bad)

Dynamic and stative verbs

Some verbs describe action. They are called "dynamic“. Other verbs describe state (non-action, a situation). They are called "stative“.Dynamic verbs:0hit, explode, fight, run, goStative verbs:0Be, like, love, prefer, wish0 impress, please, surprise0hear, see, sound0belong to, consist of, contain, include, need0appear, resemble, seem

Regular and irregular verbs

The only real difference between regular and irregular verbs is that they have different endings for their past tense and past participle forms.0 regular verbs: 0 look, looked, looked0work, worked, worked0 irregular verbs: 0buy, bought, bought0 cut, cut, cut0do, did, done

Excersises

0The grocery clerk will carry your bags out for you.Helping or main.

0The mail arrived after I left.Transitive or intransitive.

0 I have already done my homework.Regular or irregular.

0 That book you recommended sounds interesting.0 Linking or transitive.

0 She seemed like an interesting person.0 Active or stative.

0 I prefer cream rather than milk.0Dynamic or stative.

0 Jerry studies for three hours every day.0Helping or main.

0We looked at all of the art in the museum.Regular or irregular.

0Would you take a picture for us?Transitive or intransitive.

0 I don't want to fight about who gets the car.Dynamic or stative.