Verbs bring sentences to life by expressing actions, states, or occurrences. Whether you’re describing what someone does (run, eat) or how something exists (is, seems), verbs form the foundation of clear communication. Mastering verbs not only enhances your grammar but also boosts your confidence in writing and speaking. In this guide, we’ll cover everything about verbs – what they are, their types, and how to use them. Let’s answer all your questions!
What Is a Verb?
A verb is a word that denotes an action, an occurrence, or a state of being. In essence, verbs tell us what the subject of a sentence is doing (action), what is happening (occurrence), or the condition of the subject (state) (For example, verbs also play a key role in compound predicates, where more than one action or state is linked to the same subject.).
Download: What Is a Verb?
Examples:
- Action: “She runs every morning.”
- Occurrence: “The event happened yesterday.”
- State: “He is happy.”
Understanding verbs is fundamental to mastering English grammar, as they are an integral part to sentence construction and convey the dynamics of the subject.
Types of Verbs
Verbs can be categorized into several types, each serving a unique function within a sentence. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the main types:
1. Action Verbs
Action verbs describe actions performed by the subject of the sentence. These can be physical actions (e.g., run, jump) or mental actions (e.g., think, remember).
Download: Action Verbs Worksheet
Examples:
- Physical Actions: run, jump, write, eat, dance.
- Example: “She writes a letter.”
- Mental Actions: think, imagine, decide, remember, consider.
- Example: “He considers the problem.”
2. Linking Verbs
Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to additional information about the subject. They do not show action but describe a state of being or condition.
Common linking verbs include:
- Forms of “to be”: am, is, are, was, were
- Sensory verbs: look, smell, sound, taste, feel
- Verbs of becoming: become, grow, turn, prove
Download: Linking Verbs Worksheet
Examples:
- “The sky is blue.”
- “He seems tired.”
3. Auxiliary Verbs (Helping Verbs)
Auxiliary verbs support the main verb to form different tenses, moods, or voices. They are essential in constructing complex verb phrases.
Common auxiliary verbs include:
- Be (am, is, are, was, were)
- Have (has, had)
- Do (does, did)
- Modal auxiliaries (can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must)
Download: Helping/Auxiliary Verbs Worksheet
Examples:
- “She has been working all day.”
- “They were singing a song.”
4. Modal Verbs
Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb that express necessity, possibility, permission, or ability. Common modal verbs include can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, and must.
Download: Modal Verbs Worksheet
Examples:
- “You must finish your homework.” (necessity)
- “She can drive a car.” (ability)
5. Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs consist of a verb combined with a preposition or an adverb (or both) that creates a meaning different from the original verb.
Download: Phrasal Verbs Worksheet
Examples:
- “He gave up smoking.”
- “They ran out of milk.”
6. Stative Verbs
Stative verbs describe states or conditions rather than actions. They often refer to thoughts, emotions, relationships, senses, or possession.
Common types of stative verbs:
- Verbs of Thinking: know, believe, understand
- Verbs of Emotion: love, hate, like, prefer
- Verbs of Possession: have, own, belong
Download: Stative Verbs: Comprehensive Worksheet
Verb Forms in English
Understanding the various forms of verbs is essential for mastering English grammar. Each form serves a specific function, indicating tense, aspect, mood, or voice. Here’s an in-depth look at the primary verb forms:
Download: Verb Forms Worksheet
1. Base Form (Infinitive without “to”)
The base form is the simplest form of a verb, uninflected and without any endings. It serves as the root for other verb forms and is used in various constructions.
Examples:
- Run
- Eat
- Write
Uses:
- Imperative Mood: Used for commands or requests.
- Example: “Run to the store.”
- Subjunctive Mood: Expresses wishes, demands, or suggestions.
- Example: “I suggest that he write the report.”
- Bare Infinitive: Used after modal verbs and certain expressions.
- Example: “She can sing beautifully.”
2. Third-Person Singular Present Form
In the present simple tense, verbs take an “-s” or “-es” ending when the subject is third-person singular.
Examples:
- “He runs every morning.”
- “She watches television daily.”
Formation Rules:
- Add “-s” to most verbs:
- Example: talk → talks
- Add “-es” to verbs ending in “-sh,” “-ch,” “-s,” “-x,” or “-z”:
- Example: wash → washes
- Change “y” to “i” and add “-es” if a consonant precedes the “y”:
- Example: cry → cries
3. Present Participle (Gerund)
The present participle ends in “-ing” and is used in continuous tenses and as gerunds.
Examples:
- “They are running a marathon.“
- “Swimming is a good exercise.“
Formation Rules:
- Add “-ing” to the base form:
- Example: play → playing
- Drop the final “e” and add “-ing” for verbs ending in silent “e”:
- Example: make → making
- Double the final consonant if a single vowel precedes it and the word is one syllable or stressed on the last syllable:
- Example: run → running
Understanding verb spelling rules is also important—just like in Silent E Words, where endings change when adding “-ing.”
4. Simple Past
The simple past tense indicates that an action occurred in the past.
Examples:
- “She walked to the store yesterday.”
- “They played soccer last weekend.”
Formation Rules:
- Regular Verbs: Regular verbs follow standard conjugation patterns, typically adding “-ed” or “-d” to form their past tense and past participle.
- Example: talk → talked
- Irregular Verbs: Irregular verbs do not follow standard conjugation rules. Their past tense and past participle forms often change entirely.
- Example: go → went, eat → ate
5. Past Participle
The past participle is used in perfect tenses and the passive voice.
Examples:
- “She has written a novel.”
- “The cake was eaten by the children.”
Formation Rules:
- Regular Verbs: Same as the simple past form:
- Example: talk → talked
- Irregular Verbs: Must be memorized as they do not follow a consistent pattern:
- Example: see → seen, take → taken
Download: Regular vs. Irregular Verbs Worksheet
Verb Conjugation
Verb conjugation means changing a verb’s form to match the tense, subject, mood, or voice. It’s essential for constructing grammatically correct sentences. Here are key aspects of verb conjugation:
Download: Verb Conjugation Worksheet
1. Tenses: Expressing Time
Conjugation helps indicate when an action happens – past, present, or future. Each tense also includes additional forms, like simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous.
- Present Tense: Describes actions happening now or habitual actions.
- Example: “She walks to school daily.”
- Past Tense: Refers to actions that have already occurred.
- Example: “He walked to school yesterday.”
Download: Conjugation of Verbs Worksheet
- Future Tense: Refers to actions that will occur.
- Example: “They will walk to school tomorrow.”
Want to dive deeper into verb tenses? Check out our Past, Present, Future: Complete Guide to Verb Tenses for an in-depth exploration.
2. Person and Number: Matching the Subject
Verb conjugation changes based on whether the subject is singular or plural and its grammatical person (first, second, or third).
- Singular: “She eats lunch.”
- Plural: “They eat lunch.”
3. Mood: Expressing Intentions
Conjugated verbs convey the speaker’s intent through mood:
- Indicative: States facts or asks questions.
- Example: “She is here.”
- Imperative: Gives commands or instructions.
- Example: “Go to bed.”
- Subjunctive: Describes wishes, doubts, or hypothetical situations.
- Example: “If I were rich, I’d travel.”
4. Voice
Conjugation can also indicate whether the subject is performing or receiving the action:
- Active: The subject performs the action.
- Example: “She wrote a letter.”
- Passive: The subject receives the action.
- Example: “A letter was written by her.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs?
Transitive verbs require a direct object to complete their meaning (e.g., “She reads the book”), while intransitive verbs do not need an object (e.g., “He sleeps peacefully”).
2. What are phrasal verbs, and why are they important?
Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and one or more particles (e.g., “give up”, “run out of”). They often have meanings that differ from their individual parts, making them essential for understanding everyday language.
3. How can I identify a linking verb?
Linking verbs connect the subject to additional information about the subject. Common examples include “is”, “seems”, and “becomes”. Test this by replacing the verb with “equals.” If it still makes sense, it’s likely a linking verb.
4. Why is verb conjugation challenging for English learners?
Verb conjugation can be complex due to irregular forms, numerous tenses, and the need to agree with subjects. Practice and exposure to correct usage help overcome these challenges.
Summary
Verbs are the foundation of language, essential for describing actions, states, and occurrences. By understanding their types, forms, and conjugations, learners gain the tools to express themselves effectively in English. Whether mastering simple sentences or crafting more complex ideas, a solid grasp of verbs is indispensable. And if you’re teaching younger learners, pairing verb lessons with first-grade handwriting worksheets can reinforce both grammar and writing skills.
Take your grammar skills to the next level! Explore additional resources and worksheets on verbs at Worksheetzone to practice and perfect your understanding of this critical language element. Start your journey to becoming a grammar pro today!
