Verbs

Verbs

Words that denote action, state of mind and state of being.

I ran as fast as I can.He felt heavy with the fever.I think I know the answer.

Two Major Kinds of Verb

We will eat lunch together later.

Auxiliary Verb

Main Verb

Main Verb

Main source of action in the sentence. Can be classified into many kinds.

.Transitive.Intransitive

.Dynamic.Stative.Linkin

g

Transitive Verb

Verb that has an object in the sentence.

He saw a black cat.

subject

verb obje

ct

Intransitive Verb

Verb that does not have an object in the sentence.

Their parents have arrived.

subject

main verb

Some transitive verbs really do require an object, but this doesn’t mean that all verbs with no object are already intransitive verbs. Remember that most non-native English speakers are prone to fragmented sentences. Sentence Analysis is still a must.

All the same, we should not use the word “require” in differentiating transitive and intransitive verbs. It is whether they HAVE or DON’T HAVE an object in their sentence.

Reminder

Linking Verb

Verb that connects a subject with its predicate.

I felt dizzy.

subject ver

b

predicate

The predicate can either be a noun or an adjective.

She became the winner.

The kids were active this morning.

noun

adjective

ReminderLinking verbs are the same as auxiliary verbs in form but they differ immensely in use. Please keep in mind that LINKING verbs are followed by PREDICATE. AUXILIARY verbs are followed by MAIN VERB.

Dynamic Verb

Verb that denotes actual action that can be physically experienced.

He sliced the apples into cubes.

He slammed the door so hard.

Stative Verb

Verb that denotes a state of mind or being.

He resembles his father so much.

They were impressed with the act.

Auxiliary Verb

Verb that helps the main verb. Has several functions.

.Be.Have

.Do

.Modal

Be

is, are, was, were, am

Verb used for continuous action.

He is waiting outside.

be verb main

verb

Notice that the main verb waiting is in continuous tense. It is a RULE that when the main verb is in the continuous tense, a BE VERB should precede.

.Present Continuous

.Past Continuous

Present Continuous

is, are, am

I am talking to her.

Lisa is making sandwiches.

We are going to the beach.

Past Continuous

was, were

Harry was waiting right outside.

You were just standing there.

Reminder

The be verb AM is used only if the subject is in singular first person pronoun. IS is for subjects that are singular third person nouns and pronouns. ARE is for subjects that are second person pronoun and plural third person nouns and pronouns. AM, IS and ARE are all for PRESENT CONTINUOUS tense.

The be verb WAS is for subjects that are in first person pronoun or singular third person nouns and pronouns. WERE is for subjects that are in second person, plural first person pronoun or plural third person nouns and pronouns. Both WAS and WERE are for PAST CONTINUOUS tense.

Have

has, have, had +been

Verb used for the perfect tense of a sentence.

.Present Perfect tense.Past Perfect tense

Present Perfect tense

He has been to the doctor.He has eaten his lunch.

I have been to the same bookstore.

We have taken the trash out.

Past Perfect tense

They had been there before.

She had finished the painting.

Reminder

Notice that the main verbs eaten, taken and finished are either in their perfect tense or in the simple past tense. It is a RULE that in using the perfect tense of a main verb, the helping verbs HAS, HAVE or HAD should be used. Also, when the word been was added, it was usually only to tell of a location.

The auxiliary HAS is used only when the subject is in third person singular. HAVE is used when the subject pronoun is in the first or second person. Otherwise, it is used for plural subjects. Both HAS and HAVE are for the PRESENT PERFECT tense. HAD is used regardless of the quantity, it is only for the PAST PERFECT tense.

Do

do, did, does +not

Verb used to either ask a question, emphasize or negate something.

.Question.Emphasis.Negative

Question

Do you have any spare pencil?

Did you wash the old tablecloth?

Does this belong to you?

Emphasis

I do know how to sketch animals.

I did see them walking back.

She does look a lot like her mother.

Negative

They do not/don’t like vegetables.

I did not/didn’t finish my homework.

Maya does not/doesn’t want to go home yet.

Reminder

The verb DO is used for second person pronouns, plural third person nouns and pronouns and singular and plural first person pronouns. DOES is used for singular third person pronouns. Both DO and DID are for the SIMPLE PRESENT tense.

DID is used regardless of the quantity, it is for the SIMPLE PAST tense.

Modal

Verb that modifies the main verb in the sentence. Can have several functions.

.Permission.Possibility.Future Action

Permission

You may use that room for tonight.

modal main

verb

Possibility

I might leave by Sunday.

modal main

verb

Future Action

We will study again tomorrow.

modal main

verb