Verbs
This lesson delves into the complexities of verbs, exploring their roles in different grammatical structures and contexts. It offers comprehensive explanations, advanced exercises, and a quiz.
Types of Verbs
Verbs are categorized into different groups based different criteria, including:
Based on Regularity
Based on Transitivity
Based on Properties of Transitivity
Based on Contribution to Meaning
Based on Meaning
Based on Formation
Based on Regularity
Based on regularity, verbs are categorized into two groups:
Regular and Irregular Verbs
As their names suggest, 'regular verbs' follow specific rules when forming past and past participle forms, whereas 'irregular verbs' do not follow any particular pattern and are best memorized individually. Regular verbs generally form their past and past participle forms by adding "-ed" at the end. Irregular verbs, however, have unique forms in the past and past participle.
Regular Verbs | Irregular Verbs |
---|---|
walk → walked | be → was/were, been |
cook → cooked | come → came, come |
talk → talked | do → did, done |
look → looked | get → got, got/gotten |
laugh → laughed | give → gave, given |
I cooked dinner last night.
They have played in many matches.
He came home late last night.
They have come to our house several times.
Based on Transitivity
Based on transitivity, verbs can be categorized into five groups:
Intransitive Verbs
'Intransitive verbs' are the ones that do not need a verb complement to make a meaningful sentence. They have a complete meaning on their own. For example:
I sneezed.
Rivers flow.
Linking Verbs
Linking verbs (also called copula or copular verbs) do not show any specific action. They just link the subject of a sentence to the subject complement.
Mike is handsome.
The child will become an adult.
Mono-transitive Verbs
'Mono-transitive' verbs are those that require an direct object to convey a complete meaning.
He loves pizza for lunch.
We told everything to my mom.
Complex Transitive Verbs
A complex transitive verb (also known as an attributive ditransitive verb or resultative verb) is a verb that needs a direct object and an object complement that renames or describes it.
They called him Robinson Crusoe.
I will make her happy.
Ditransitive Verbs
Ditransitive verbs are used when someone other than the subject receives something as a result of the verb's action. These verbs require both direct and indirect objects. Check out the examples:
I sent him a letter.
They gave Julie the presents.
Based on Properties of Transitivity
Four groups of verbs demonstrate special properties with regards to transitivity:
Ergative Verbs
Ergative verbs (also known as labile verbs or ambi-transitive verbs) are verbs that can be both transitive and intransitive, with the condition that the object of the transitive form must be same as the subject of the intransitive form.
I rang the bell.
The bell rang.
Catenative Verbs
Catenative verbs (also known as chain verbs) link with other verbs and form a chain of two or three or more verbs.
I'm coming to help wash the dishes.
He expects to complete the project in June.
Causative Verbs
Causative verbs show that the subject causes another person or thing to do something. For example:
The teacher made us stay after class.
I had the waiter bring more water.
Reflexive Verbs
Reflexive verbs are those that only take reflexive pronouns as their object, or take on an idiomatic meaning when used with these pronouns. Here are some examples:
They availed themselves of the opportunity.
The child behaved himself well.
Based on Contribution to Meaning
Based on contribution to meaning, verbs can be categorized into four groups:
Main Verbs
'Main verbs' (also known as lexical verbs or principal verbs) are responsible for showing the action or state of the subject, and they hold significant importance. Every sentence needs at least one main verb. They can stand alone or be used in combination with a modal or auxiliary verb.
I study law in university.
These were all one the list and you still forgot them.
Auxiliary Verbs
'Auxiliary verbs' provide information that main verbs can not. They are sometimes referred to as helping verbs because they assist main verbs in expressing different tenses and forming questions and negations.
They have finished their homework.
(present perfect tense)
Do you like pizza?
(forming questions)
I don't know the answer.
(negating the verb)
Modal Verbs
English 'modal verbs' are a subset of auxiliary verbs. They can indicate necessity, probability, requests, and more. Modal verbs include can, could, shall, should, will, would, may, might, must. These verbs are never used alone and have to be followed by a main verb.
Do not get angry, but you could have fun with each other.
We will start dating again.
Light Verbs
'Light verbs' have no special meaning of their own and only reflect the meaning of their following noun. They are only used in sentences to serve a grammatical function by filling the verb position.
Jessica took a breath.
Carlos is having a drink with his best buddy.
Based on Meaning
Based on meaning, verbs can be categorized into two groups:
Action Verbs
'Action verbs' are verbs that indicate different kinds of actions, movements, changes, etc. Check out the examples:
We ran out of the hallway.
Alex exercises everyday, he is really in shape.
State Verbs
Stative verbs are used to talk about ongoing situations or facts, not an action. These verbs often often refer to things that are generally true or permanent rather than something that changes or happens in a short time. Take a look at some examples:
I have known him for about 8 years.
I have been thinking about him since then.
Based on Formation
Based on formation, there is a special group of verbs:
Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs consist of a main verb combined with one or more preposition or adverbs, creating a new meaning. Sometimes we can put an object between the verb and the preposition or adverb. While some other verbs cannot be separated.
Put your clothes on, we are going out for dinner.
I told him to take off his shoes.
Review
Verbs are one of the most important parts of sentences. The statements have no meaning without verbs. There are different types of verbs in English as follows.
regular verbs, irregular verbs
intransitive verbs, linking verbs, transitive verbs, complex transitive, ditransitive, ergative
main verbs, auxiliary verbs, modals verbs, light verbs
action verbs, state verbs
phrasal verbs, reflexive verbs, causative verbs
Quiz:
Select all irregular verbs from the list. (Select four.)
be
walk
wish
want
come
open
play
paint
get
give
Fill the table by identifying the transitivity status of the verb in each sentence.
They made him angry. | |
We discussed the problem. | |
He became a doctor. | |
She sleeps peacefully. | |
Anna sent her friend a postcard. |
Match each sentence to the correct type of verb.
Choose True or False for each statement.
Main verbs can never appear with auxiliary or modal verbs. | |
Light verbs have strong, independent meanings. | |
Auxiliary verbs help main verbs form different tenses, questions, and negations. | |
Modal verbs include "be," "do," and "have." | |
Modals and auxiliaries can be used interchangeably. |
Which of the following sentences contains a state verb?
The children danced in the living room.
We painted the fence yesterday.
He jumped over the fence easily.
She owns three small dogs.
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