Verbs & Verb usage

Verbs

A verb is a word the expresses an action, or a state of being.

Kinds of Verbs

Action Verbs – show either a physical or mental action.The plane landed at the airport a while ago. (physical action)Mother always hopes for the best. (mental action)

Kinds of Verbs

Linking Verbs – connect the subject with a noun or an adjective that identifies or describes the noun or the pronoun.

The verb be is the most frequently used linking verb. Be, being, been, am, is, are, was, and were are its most common forms.

Kinds of Verbs

Other linking verbs include:

appear get remain soundbecome grow seem stay

feel look smell taste

Kinds of Verbs

Auxiliary Verbs – verbs used with main verbs to form verb phrases. The most common auxiliary verbs are forms of be, have, and do.

be, been, am, is, was, were

do, does, did

have, has, had can, could

will, would may, might

shall, should must

Characteristics of Verbs

A verb is transitive when a person or thing directs the action toward someone or something. The receiver of the action is called the object of the verb.He wrote a beautiful poem. (a what? – a poem)

A verb is intransitive when the doer of the action does not direct the action toward someone or something.The sky darkened.

Active and Passive Voice

Voice tells whether the subject of the sentence is the doer of the receiver of the action.

The verb is in the active voice if the subject performs the action.Mother gave me a new dress.

The verb is in the passive voice is the subject receives the action.I was given a new dress by Mother.

Moods of Verbs

a. Indicative mood – expresses something factual that has happened, is happening, or will happen.Rommel eats quickly.

b. Imperative mood – is used for commands or requests.Please stop at the next gas station.

c. Subjunctive mood – expresses a wish or statement contrary to fact.If I were you, I would visit my family more often.

Changes in Verb Form

1. It changes form according to how it is formed.

2. It changes form in order to agree in person and number with a noun or pronoun.

3. A verb also changes form to express tense.

Verb Tenses

Simple Tense Simple Present Tense Simple Past Tense Simple Future Tense

Progressive Tense (Continuous) Present Progressive Past Progressive Future Progressive

Verb Tenses

Perfect Tense Present Perfect Tense Past Perfect Tense Future Perfect Tense

Perfect Progressive (Continuous) Tense Present Perfect Progressive Tense Past Perfect Progressive Tense Future Perfect Progressive Tense

Simple Tenses

Simple Present Tense

base form + -s/es expresses action happening at the present moment or

action that happens habitually

A strange noise comes from the basement.

Simple Tenses

Simple Past Tense

base form + -d/ed express action or a state of being that took place in

the past

The students waited for the guest for more than four hours.

The president signed the peace treaty.

Simple Tenses

Simple Future Tense

will / shall + base form expresses an action that will take place sometime in

the future; may also express a prediction or give an order

The Zoom Master will play against the Gin-Makers on Sunday.

The candidate will surely win the pageant.

Progressive Tenses

Present Progressive Tense

present auxiliary verb + -ing form

of the verb shows action happening in the present or continuing

action

Look! That girl is waving at you.

They are painting landscapes.

Progressive Tenses

Present Progressive Tense

past auxiliary verb + -ing formof the verb express action or a state of being that took place in

the past

I was writing my report when you called.

When the principal came, the students were doing their English projects.

Progressive Tenses

Future Progressive Tense

will / shall + be + -ing formof the verb indicates future action

I was writing my report when you called.

When the principal came, the students were doing their English projects.

Perfect Tenses

Present Perfect Tense

has / have + past participle of the verb describes an action in the past and continues to the

present; also expresses an action that has been completed at

some indefinite past

The basketball player has had a lot of trouble with his knee.

We have waited long for this blessing.

Perfect Tenses

Past Perfect Tense

had + past participle of the verb express an action that was completed in the past at

some time before another action took place

Mariz had worked as a nanny before she graduated.

I had already left by the time the school bus came to pick me up.

Perfect Tenses

Future Perfect Tense

will / shall + have + past participle of the verb

used to express future action that will be completed before another future action

My brother will have graduated by 2005.

In December, they will have known each other for a year.

Perfect Progressive Form

Present Perfect Progressive Form

has/have + been + -ing form of the verb

indicates past action that continues to the present

I have been hoping you would call.

Sheila had been dreaming of a nice and peaceful vacation.

Perfect Progressive Form

Past Perfect Progressive Form

had + been + -ing form of the verb

indicates continuous action that has been completed in the past

Nico had been seeing Nikki a lot until summer.

Until the end of her European tour, Tracy had been traveling alone with a backpack.

Perfect Progressive Form

Future Perfect Progressive Form

will / shall + have + been +-ing form of the verb

indicates a continuous action that will be completed at some point in the future

In another five minutes, we will have been driving for five hours.

The twins will have been surfing for ten days by sundown today.

Non-Verb Forms - Participles

A participle must be in a verb string in order to behave as a verb. Without an auxiliary, a participle plays a non-verb role in its sentence. Arriving home late, Priscilla rushed into the

kitchen. She was thinking about the burnt potatoes.

Remember that participles are parts of verb strings. They need auxiliaries to do a verb's work. If a participle has no auxiliary in front of it, look elsewhere for the sentence's verb.

Infinitives

When the word to stands in front of the base form of a verb, it creates an infinitive. An infinitive plays a non-verb role in its sentence.

To know him is to love him.I want to bring him with me at

Christmas.