Verbs are words that denote action, state of mind, or state of being. There are two main kinds of verbs: auxiliary verbs and main verbs. Main verbs are the core of the action in a sentence and can be classified as transitive, intransitive, dynamic, stative, or linking. Transitive verbs take objects, intransitive verbs do not. Linking verbs connect subjects to predicates that are nouns or adjectives. Auxiliary verbs help the main verb and include forms of be, have, do, and modal verbs that indicate permission, possibility, or future action.

1. Verbs

2. 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.

3. Two Major
Kinds of
Verb
We will eat lunch together later.
AuxiliaryVerb
MainVerb

4. MainVerb
Main source of action in the
sentence. Can be classified into
many kinds.
.Transitive
.Intransitive
.Dynamic
.Stative
.Linking

5. Transitive
Verb
Verb that has an object in the
sentence.
He saw a black cat.
subject
verb
object

6. Intransitive
Verb
Verb that does not have an
object in the sentence.
Their parents have arrived.
subject main verb

7. 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

8. Linking
Verb
Verb that connects a subject with
its predicate.
I felt dizzy.
subject
verb
predicate

9. The predicate can either be a
noun or an adjective.
She became the winner.
The kids were active this morning.
noun
adjective

10. Reminder
Linking 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.

11. Dynamic
Verb
Verb that denotes actual action
that can be physically experienced.
He sliced the apples into cubes.
He slammed the door so hard.

12. Stative
Verb
Verb that denotes a state of mind
or being.
He resembles his father so much.
They were impressed with the act.

13. Auxiliary
Verb
Verb that helps the main verb.
Has several functions.
.Be
.Have
.Do
.Modal

14. Be
is, are, was,
were, am
Verb used for continuous action.
He is waiting outside.
be verb
main verb

15. 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 BEVERB
should precede.
.Present
Continuous
.Past
Continuous

16. Present
Continuous
is, are, am
I am talking to her.
Lisa is making sandwiches.
We are going to the beach.

17. Past
Continuous
was, were
Harry was waiting right outside.
You were just standing there.

18. 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.

19. Have
has, have, had
+been
Verb used for the perfect
tense of a sentence.
.Present Perfect tense
.Past Perfect tense

20. 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.

21. Past
Perfect
tense
They had been there before.
She had finished the painting.

22. 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.

23. Do
do, did, does
+not
Verb used to either ask a question,
emphasize or negate something.
.Question
.Emphasis
.Negative

24. Question
Do you have any spare pencil?
Did you wash the old tablecloth?
Does this belong to you?

25. Emphasis
I do know how to sketch animals.
I did see them walking back.
She does look a lot like her mother.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. Modal
Verb that modifies the main
verb in the sentence. Can
have several functions.
.Permission
.Possibility
.Future Action

29. Permission
You may use that room for tonight.
modal
main verb

30. Possibility
I might leave by Sunday.
modal
main verb

31. Future
Action
We will study again tomorrow.
modal
main verb