What is a Verb and Types of Verbs in English Grammar?

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What is a Verb in English Grammar? We’ll explain the meaning of a verb, how to use verb, types of verbs, and provide a variety of examples of verb in English.

When you’re learning English grammar, you’ve to deal with the verb. But what exactly is it? And what does verb do in a sentence? In this article, we will look deeper into the definition of a verb, how it can be used, and the rules that govern its use.

Additionally, we will look at some examples to better understand the purpose of verbs.

As a guide, the below definitions and tables provide the fundamental use of the verb. Read on to get a more in-depth explanation of the rules and examples of when and how to use a verb.

Learn to use verb with example sentences and ESLBLOCK worksheets for printing.

Also read: Baby Farm Animals

What is a Verb?

A verb is a word that characteristically is the grammatical base of a predicate and defines an act, event, or mode of being, that in different languages is inflected for agreement with the subject, for tense, for mood, for voice, or for aspect, and that typically has complete descriptive sense and representing quality but is sometimes nearly devoid of these primarily when used as linking or an auxiliary verb. Verbs are one of the nine parts of speech.

Some common Verb examples: Talk, walk, seem, run, watch, see, swim, wash, stand, go, have, get, promise, invite, listen, sing, sit, knit, put, cut, forgive, forget, hide, hit, hold, hurt, swell, sweap, stand, spit, shrink, show, learn, know.

Some example sentences of verbs;

  • Olivia speaks English.
  • We don’t know how to spell the long words.
  • Charlotte studies hard.
  • She swims badly.
  • The football match ended quickly.
  • We only shopped locally.
  • They are happily marriaged.
  • Oliver stopped by briefly to say hello.
  • Isabella calls him regularly.
  • You don’t know.
  • I doubt if it’ll rain.
  • Olivia had to drag him out of room.
  • She drives a car.
  • I dropped my books.
  • William earns three times more than me.
  • They can’t eat their cake.
  • Oliver encouraged Olivia to learn how to speak English.
  • He entered the building.

The verb is a radically different part of speech from a preposition, conjunction, interjunction, noun, pronoun, adjective, and the rest.

Important Verb Rules

There are many rules covering the use of verbs in the English language. Let’s take a glance at the most significant verb rules.

  • When there is a third person, the verb needs an -s or -es in addition to verbs; for example, Olivia drives the bike.
  • If the subject and the verb have a long phrase between them, the verb has to coordinate with the actual subject and not that of the phrase. For example, The noodles which she gave to her daughter were delicious.
  • If two nouns are in a sentence and refer to the same thing or person, the following verb should be singular. For example, The director and the supervisor are working in the company.
  • If the subject is preceded by the phrase ‘one of,’ the following verb should be singular. For example, one of the children is sleeping.
  • A singular verb is required if the plural noun is preceded by the words ‘a pair of’. For example, A pair of shoes is quite cheap.
  • Plural nouns on their own will use a plural verb; for example, Her shoes are oversize.
  • If two nouns are synonymous within a sentence, they should be followed by a singular verb. For example, Her power and might is enormous.
  • If the noun is uncountable, then a singular verb is used; for example, The poetry that he writes is very patriotic.
  • When a collective noun refers to a single entity, it should use a singular verb; for example, The military is courageous. However, if it is being used to refer to an individual, then a plural verb is used; for example, The military are requiring new weapons.

Types of verbs

There are many types of verbs in English language. Some of the types of verbs are:

  1. Regular verbs
  2. Irregular verbs
  3. Modal verbs
  4. Dynamic verbs
  5. Auxiliary verbs
  6. Stative verbs
  7. Linking Verbs
  8. Transitive Verbs
  9. Finite Verbs
  10. Infinitive Verbs
  11. Intransitive Verbs
  12. Causative verbs

Regular Verbs

Regular Verbs Definition: Verbs differ from most other parts of speech because they can change their form. Sometimes, endings can be included -ed or -ing, and at other times, the verb is a different word (such as put and put).

Example Sentences:

  1. She walks to the park every morning.
  2. The children always play in the backyard after school.
  3. I usually clean the house on Saturdays.
  4. They consistently learn new skills at the workshop.
  5. The baker carefully bakes fresh bread every day.

Regular verbs are words which form past-tense simply by putting the letter “d” or “ed” at the end.

Following are the common regular verbs.

First Form (Base)Second Form (Simple Past)Third Form (Past Participle)
AcceptAcceptedAccepted
ActActedActed
Askaskedasked
Backbackedbacked
BakeBakedBaked
BehaveBehavedBehaved
Chasechasedchased
Chewchewedchewed
CloseClosedClosed
CompareComparedCompared
CompeteCompetedCompeted
Decidedecideddecided
Dependdependeddepended
DieDiedDied
DisagreeDisagreedDisagreed
DisturbDisturbedDisturbed
DressDressedDressed
DryDriedDried
EliminateEliminatedEliminated
Employeeemployedemployed
EndEndedEnded
EnjoyEnjoyedEnjoyed
Excuseexcusedexcused
Fadefadedfaded
FixFixedFixed
Foldfoldedfolded
FollowFollowedFollowed
FreezeFreezedFreezed
FryFriedFried
Gazegazedgazed
GreetGreetedGreeted
GuessGuessedGuessed
Handhandedhanded
HuntHuntedHunted
IdentifyIdentifiedIdentified
ImagineImaginedImagined
InviteInvitedInvited
JoinJoinedJoined
Jokejokedjoked
JumpJumpedJumped
Kickkickedkicked
KnockKnockedKnocked
Laughlaughedlaughed
Learnlearnedlearned
LoveLovedLoved
ManageManagedManaged
MarkMarkedMarked
MatchMatchedMatched
NameNamedNamed
NeedNeededNeeded
OpenOpenedOpened
OrderOrderedOrdered
OrganizeOrganizedOrganized
PackPackedPacked
PaintPaintedPainted
PassPassedPassed
PerformPerformedPerformed
PersuadePersuadedPersuaded
ProgramProgrammedProgrammed
ProtectProtectedProtected
ReviewReviewedReviewed
ShopShoppedShopped
SlowSlowedSlowed
TurnTurnedTurned
UnderlineUnderlinedUnderlined
WantWantedWanted

Irregular Verbs

Irregular Verbs Definition: Irregular verbs are one of the simple and common types of verbs. A verb in which the past tense is not formed by adding the usual -ed or -d at the end.

Example Sentences:

  1. He went to the store to buy groceries.
  2. We have eaten at that restaurant before.
  3. She sang a beautiful song at the concert.
  4. They took a detour to avoid traffic.
  5. I have driven a manual car before.

Following are the common irregular verbs.

First Form (Base)Second Form (Simple Past)Third Form (Past Participle)
arisearosearisen
awakeawokeawoken
bewas/werebeen
bearboreborne
beatbeatbeaten
becomebecamebecome
beginbeganbegun
bendbentbent
betbetbet
bidbidbid
bindboundbound
bitebitbitten
bleedbledbled
blowblewblown
breakbrokebroken
breedbredbred
bringbroughtbrought
broadcastbroadcastbroadcast
buildbuiltbuilt
burstburstburst
buyboughtbought
castcastcast
catchcaughtcaught
choosechosechosen
clingclungclung
comecamecome
costcostcost
creepcreptcrept
cutcutcut
dealdealtdealt
digdugdug
divedovedived
dodiddone
drawdrewdrawn
dreamdreamtdreamt
drinkdrankdrunk
drivedrovedriven
eatateeaten
fallfellfallen
feedfedfed
feelfeltfelt
fightfoughtfought
findfoundfound
fleefledfled
flingflungflung
fltflewflown
forbidforbadeforbidden
forgetforgotforgotten
forgiveforgaveforgiven
freezefrozefrozen
getgotgot
givegavegiven
gowentgone
grindgroundground
growgrewgrown
hanghunghung
havehadhad
hearheardheard
hidehidhidden
hithithit
holdheldheld
hurthurthurt
keepkeptkept
kneelkneltknelt
knowknewknown
laylaidlaid
leadledled
leaveleftleft
lendlentlent
letletlet
lielaylain
lightlitlit
loselostlost
makemademade
meanmeantmeant
meetmetmet
mistakemistookmistaken
mowmowedmown
overtakeovertookovertaken
paypaidpaid
proofreadproofreadproofread
putputput
quitquitquit
readreadread
resetresetreset
rideroderidden
ringrangrung
riseroserisen
runranrun
saysaidsaid
seesawseen
seeksoughtsought
sellsoldsold
sendsentsent
setsetset
sewsewedsewn
shakeshookshaken
shaveshavedshaven
shedshedshed
shineshoneshone
shootshotshot
showshowedshown
shrinkshrankshrunk
shutshutshut
singsangsung
sinksanksunk
sitsatsat
slayslewslain
sleepsleptslept
slideslidslid
slingslungslung
sneaksnucksnuck
sowsowedsown
speakspokespoken
speedspedsped
spendspentspent
spillspiltspilt
spinspunspun
spitspatspat
splitsplitsplit
spreadspreadspread
springsprangsprung
standstoodstood
stealstolestolen
stickstuckstuck
stingstungstung
stinkstankstunk
strikestruckstruck
stringstrungstrung
strivestrovestriven
swearsworesworn
sweepsweptswept
swellswelledswollen
swimswamswum
swingswungswung
taketooktaken
teachtaughttaught
teartoretorn
thinkthoughtthought
throwthrewthrown
thrustthrustthrust
treadtrodtrodden
understandunderstoodunderstood
upsetupsetupset
wakewokewoken
wearworeworn
weavewoveworn
weavewovewoven
weepweptwept
wetwetwet
winwonwon
windwoundwound
wringwrungwrung
writewrotewritten

Modal Verbs

Model Verb Definition: Modal verbs express certain hypothetical situations, such as advice, capability, possibility, advice, obligation, ability, permission, or requests. They’re used alongside the main verb to modify its meaning slightly.

Example Sentences:

  1. You can choose any seat in the theater.
  2. I might attend the party if I finish work on time
  3. He will assist you with the project requirements.
  4. Students must submit their assignments by the deadline.
  5. We should consider alternative solutions to the problem.

Following are the common model verbs.

  • Can
  • Could
  • Doesn’t have to
  • Don’t
  • had better
  • Has to
  • Have to
  • May
  • Might
  • Must
  • must not
  • Mustn’t
  • need not
  • Ought to
  • Shall
  • Should
  • Will
  • Would

Dynamic Verbs

Dynamic Verb Definition: A dynamic verb (such as go, ride, go, read, write) primarily indicates an action, process, or sensation. A dynamic verb is a verb that shows continued or progressive action on the part of the subject. This is contrary to a stative verb.

Example Sentences:

  1. The athletes regularly run in the morning to stay fit.
  2. She loves to dance at social events.
  3. The construction workers are currently building a new skyscraper.
  4. Children often play in the park after school hours.
  5. The artist passionately creates beautiful sculptures.

Following are the common dynamic verbs.

  • Eat
  • Go
  • Grow
  • Learn
  • Read
  • Run
  • Sleep
  • Talk
  • Walk
  • Write

Stative Verbs

Stative Verb Definition: Some English verbs not used in continuous tenses are called stative verbs or non-continuous verbs. Stative verbs are verbs that describe a state rather than an action. Stative verbs usually bond to emotions, thoughts, relationships, senses, states of being and measurements.

Example Sentences:

  1. She is a talented musician.
  2. The old house belongs to my grandparents.
  3. They have a vast collection of vintage books.
  4. He likes to read mystery novels.
  5. The coffee smells aromatic in the morning.

Following are the common examples stative verbs.

  • Adore
  • Agree
  • Appear
  • Astonish
  • Care for
  • Consist
  • Deny
  • Depend
  • Desire
  • Disagree
  • Dislike
  • Fit
  • Forget
  • Hate
  • Have
  • Imagine
  • Involve
  • Lack
  • Like
  • Matter
  • Mean
  • Measure
  • Mind
  • Need
  • Owe
  • Own
  • Possess
  • Prefer
  • Promise
  • Realise
  • Recognise
  • Remember
  • Satisfy
  • Seem
  • Suppose
  • Want
  • Weigh

Auxiliary Verbs

Auxiliary Verb Definition: A verb is used in forming the tenses, moods, and voices of other verbs. The auxiliary verbs help the main verb to describe actions. The primary auxiliary verbs in English are bedo, and have.

Example Sentences:

  1. They are attending the conference next week.
  2. She has completed her homework already.
  3. We do enjoy spending time at the beach.
  4. You will find the information in the library.
  5. I can help you with the presentation.

Following are the common examples of Auxiliary verbs.

  • Am
  • Are
  • Be
  • Been
  • Being
  • Can
  • Could
  • Did
  • Do
  • Does
  • Had
  • Has
  • Have
  • Is
  • May
  • Might
  • Must
  • Shall
  • Should
  • Was
  • Were
  • Will
  • Would

Linking Verbs

Linking verbs are verbs that connect the subject of a sentence to the complement, either a noun, pronoun, or adjective, providing additional information about the subject’s state or condition. Unlike action verbs, linking verbs do not show action but rather establish a relationship between the subject and the complement.

Example Sentences:

  1. She is a talented singer.
  2. The cake smells delicious.
  3. The flowers in the garden look vibrant.
  4. My brother became a doctor.
  5. The weather outside seems gloomy.

Examples:

  1. is
  2. am
  3. are
  4. was
  5. were
  6. seem
  7. appear
  8. become
  9. feel
  10. remain
  11. smell
  12. look
  13. taste
  14. sound
  15. grow
  16. turn
  17. prove
  18. stay
  19. get
  20. keep

Transitive Verbs

Transitive verbs are verbs that require a direct object to complete their meaning in a sentence. These verbs transfer the action to an object, providing a clear understanding of what or whom the action is affecting.

Examples:

  1. Read
  2. Build
  3. Paint
  4. Play
  5. Cook
  6. Complete
  7. Teach
  8. Buy
  9. Write
  10. Fix
  11. Plant
  12. Compose
  13. Solve
  14. Clean
  15. Invite
  16. Answer
  17. Challenge
  18. Visit
  19. Discover
  20. Repair

Example Sentences:

  1. She reads a captivating novel every weekend.
  2. The chef cooked a delicious meal for the guests.
  3. He built a sturdy wooden table.
  4. The artist painted a breathtaking landscape.
  5. They bought a new car last month.

Finite Verbs

Finite verbs are verbs that indicate tense, person, and number, signaling a completed action or state. They carry the primary meaning in a sentence and are often the main verb that shows the action or occurrence.

Examples:

  1. Write
  2. Eat
  3. Run
  4. Sing
  5. Dance
  6. Study
  7. Play
  8. Laugh
  9. Sleep
  10. Jump
  11. Talk
  12. Drive
  13. Work
  14. Read
  15. Swim
  16. Teach
  17. Learn
  18. Paint
  19. Travel
  20. Build

Example Sentences:

  1. They are playing in the park.
  2. She writes a captivating story every week.
  3. We ate dinner at 7 PM last night.
  4. He runs five miles every morning.
  5. The birds sing melodious tunes at dawn.

Infinitive Verbs

Infinitive verbs are the base form of a verb, often introduced by the particle “to.” They are not conjugated for tense or person and can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in a sentence.

Examples:

  1. To dance
  2. To sing
  3. To read
  4. To write
  5. To run
  6. To learn
  7. To teach
  8. To play
  9. To cook
  10. To travel
  11. To build
  12. To create
  13. To explore
  14. To innovate
  15. To laugh
  16. To dream
  17. To achieve
  18. To discover
  19. To inspire
  20. To communicate

Example Sentences:

  1. She likes to read fascinating novels.
  2. We plan to travel to exotic destinations.
  3. The musician aspires to compose soul-stirring melodies.
  4. He decided to learn a new language.
  5. Their goal is to build innovative solutions.

Intransitive Verbs

Intransitive verbs are verbs that do not require a direct object to complete their meaning. These verbs convey action but do not transfer it to a specific receiver, and they often stand alone in a sentence.

Examples:

  1. Laugh
  2. Arrive
  3. Cry
  4. Run
  5. Sleep
  6. Disappear
  7. Jump
  8. Listen
  9. Arrive
  10. Fall
  11. Wait
  12. Smile
  13. Dance
  14. Succeed
  15. Awaken
  16. Hesitate
  17. Appear
  18. Vanish
  19. Occur
  20. Surprise

Example Sentences:

  1. The baby laughs joyfully.
  2. They arrived at the destination.
  3. The flowers in the garden bloom beautifully.
  4. The athlete sprints across the finish line.
  5. The river flows gently.

Causative Verbs

Causative verbs are verbs that indicate the action of causing someone else to do something. These verbs bridge the connection between the instigator of an action and the person who performs it.

Examples:

Explore the world of causative verbs through this list:

  1. Make
  2. Have
  3. Let
  4. Get

Example Sentences:

  1. She made Alex bake cookies for the party.
  2. Peter had his sister fix his bicycle.
  3. The teacher let the students choose their own project topics.
  4. They got the mechanic to repair the car.
  5. Emma made Jake clean the entire room.

Verb Info Graphics

Here are some printable infographics about verb. Printable infographics are a fantastic way to share a significant amount of details in a short time in a stunning way. The verb infographic can help teachers and students to share their thoughts easily.

A Super Simple Guide to Verb, Auxiliary Verbs, Causative Verbs, Different Forms of Main Verbs, Dynamic Verbs, English Grammar, How to Use Verbs, Important Verb Rules, Intransitive Verbs, Irregular Verb Definition, Irregular Verb Examples, Irregular Verbs, Linking Verbs, List of Verbs, Mastering English Verbs, Modal Verbs, Parts of Speech, Parts of Speech in English Grammar, Stative Verbs, Subject Verb Agreement Rules, The Importance of Verbs, Transitive Verbs, Types of Verbs, Verb Definition, Verb Examples, Verb Rules, Verbs Used in Sentences, Verbs with Examples, What is an Verb

My Considerations

With this set of activities and explanations, you will quickly determine whether you are making the most effective use of the verb and how they could be used to enhance English writings.

Since the verbs are the main part of English Grammar, the importance of developing English learning skills cannot be undervalued without verb.

You can read the above sample sentences about verb to improve your understanding of English grammar.

Encourage your children to learn these basic but commonly used verb, by following the simple example sentences given above. Then, save this list of verb sentences, handy for your kids in future.

If you enjoyed a printable infographic about What is an verb?, I’d be very thankful if you’d help it spread by emailing it to your friends or sharing it on Pinterest, Reddit, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. Thank you!

Also read: Adjectives That Start With Y

Recap of what we just learned

  • What is a Verb?
  • Important Verb Rules
  • Types of verbs
    • Regular Verbs
    • Irregular Verbs
    • Modal Verbs
    • Dynamic Verbs
    • Stative Verbs
    • Auxiliary Verbs
    • Linking Verbs
    • Transitive Verbs
    • Finite Verbs
    • Infinitive Verbs
    • Intransitive Verbs
    • Causative verbs
  • Verb Info Graphics

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Also read: Adjectives That Start With Z

Explore the full list of Verbs from A to Z!

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