Verbs in English

Introduction

Verbs are one of the most important parts of speech in the English language. Every sentence needs a verb because verbs show actions, states, or conditions. Without verbs, sentences would not be complete.

For example:

She runs fast. (The verb runs shows an action.)
He is a doctor. (The verb is shows a state of being.)

This article will help students understand verbs, their types, and how to use them correctly in sentences.

What is a Verb?

A verb is a word that expresses an action, a state, or an occurrence in a sentence.

Examples of Verbs in Sentences:

Action Verb: He writes a letter.
State Verb: She feels happy.
Occurrence Verb: It happens every year.

Types of Verbs

Verbs are classified into different types based on their function

Action Verbs (Doing Verbs)

Action verbs express a physical or mental action that a subject performs.

Examples in Sentences:

Physical Action:

She jumps over the fence.
They play football every evening.

Mental Action:

I think you are right.
She remembers the story.

Tip: If you can act it out, it’s an action verb!

Linking Verbs (State of Being Verbs)

Linking verbs do not show action; instead, they connect the subject to additional information. They describe a state or condition.

Common Linking Verbs:

Forms of “to be”: am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being
Sensory verbs: look, feel, taste, sound, smell
Others: seem, become, remain, appear

Examples in Sentences:

She is a doctor. (is links “she” to “doctor.”)
The soup smells delicious.
He became angry.

Helping Verbs (Auxiliary Verbs)

Helping verbs are used with main verbs to create different tenses, moods, and voices.

Common Helping Verbs:

Primary Helping Verbs: be, have, do (used in forming tenses)
Modal Helping Verbs: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would

Examples in Sentences:

She is writing a book. (is helps the verb writing)
They have finished their homework. (have helps the verb finished)
You should study for the test. (should helps the verb study)

Transitive Verbs

Transitive verbs require an object to complete their meaning.

Examples in Sentences:

He kicked the ball. (Object = the ball)
She wrote a letter. (Object = a letter)

Intransitive Verbs

Intransitive verbs do not need an object.

Examples in Sentences:

She sleeps peacefully. (No object)
They run every morning. (No object)

Regular Verbs

Regular verbs follow a fixed pattern when changing to past tense (-ed is added).

Base Form	Past Form	Past Participle
Walk	Walked	Walked
Play	Played	Played

Examples in Sentences:

I walked to school yesterday.
She played the piano beautifully

Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs do not follow a fixed pattern in the past tense.

Base Form	Past Form	Past Participle
Go	Went	Gone
Eat	Ate	Eaten

Examples in Sentences:

He went to the park.
I have eaten my lunch.

Causative Verbs

Causative verbs show that one person causes another person to do something. Instead of doing the action themselves, they make someone else do it.

Common Causative Verbs:

Make → Forces someone to do something.
Let → Allows someone to do something.
Have → Gives someone responsibility for something.
Get → Persuades or asks someone to do something.
Help → Assists someone in doing something.

Examples in Sentences:

The teacher made the students rewrite the essay. (Forced them to rewrite.)
She let her brother use her laptop. (Allowed him to use it.)
I had my car repaired. (Arranged for someone to repair it.)
He got his friend to help with the project. (Persuaded his friend.)
My mother helped me complete my homework. (Assisted me.)

Summary

Type	Purpose	Examples
Action Verbs	Show physical or mental actions	Run, Think, Jump
Linking Verbs	Connect the subject to information	Is, Seems, Becomes
Helping Verbs	Support the main verb	Is running, has finished
Transitive Verbs	Require an object	Read a book, Buy a car
Intransitive Verbs	Do not need an object	Sleep, Cry, Arrive
Regular Verbs	Form past tense with -ed	Walked, Played
Irregular Verbs	Do not follow a fixed pattern	Went, Eaten
Phrasal Verbs	Verb + preposition/adverb	Give up, Look after
Causative Verbs	Make someone do something	Make, Let, Have, Get, Help

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