Introduction to Verbs
A verb is a word that expresses an action, event, or state of being. Verbs are one of the most important parts of speech in English, as they tell us what the subject of a sentence is doing or what condition the subject is in.
Types of Verbs
Verbs that express physical or mental actions.
run, eat, write, think, believe
Verbs that connect the subject to additional information (state or condition).
Auxiliary (Helping) Verbs
Verbs that are used with a main verb to express tense, mood, or voice.
Regular and Irregular Verbs
1. Formation of Regular Verbs
Regular verbs follow a consistent pattern when forming their past tense and past participle. To form the past tense of regular verbs, we usually add -ed to the base form of the verb.
2. Common Irregular Verbs
Irregular verbs do not follow the standard -ed rule when forming their past tense or past participle. Each irregular verb has its own unique form.
Common regular Verbs in English
Common irregular Verbs in English
Verb Tenses
1. Present Simple
The present simple tense is used to describe general truths, habits, or repeated actions.
2. Present Continuous
The present continuous tense indicates an action that is currently happening or ongoing.
3. Past Simple
The past simple tense describes an action that was completed in the past.
Examples
I ate dinner yesterday.
4. Past Continuous
The past continuous tense describes an action that was ongoing in the past, often interrupted by another action.
5. Present Perfect
The present perfect tense indicates an action that occurred at an unspecified time in the past or that started in the past and continues to the present.
6. Future Simple
The future simple tense describes an action that will happen at a later time.
Modal Verbs
Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that express necessity, possibility, ability, permission, or requests. They are used with the base form of the main verb and do not change form based on the subject.
Common Modal Verbs
can: ability or permission
could: past ability or polite requests
may: possibility or permission
might: possibility (less certain than may)
must: obligation or necessity
Modal Verbs in Context
Ability:
can: I can swim. (I have the ability to swim.)
could: When I was younger, I could run fast. (Past ability)
Obligation:
must: You must finish your homework. (Strong obligation)
You should study for the exam. (Advice, softer obligation)
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
1. Transitive Verbs
Transitive verbs are action verbs that require a direct object to complete their meaning. The action of the verb is performed on the object.
Examples
She reads a book.
They bought a car.
He wrote a letter.
2. Intransitive Verbs
Intransitive verbs are action verbs that do not require a direct object. The action is complete without needing to act upon something.
Examples
He sleeps.
The sun sets.
The baby cried.