ESL Lesson Plan: Mastering Verb Functions in English

Verbs are the backbone of English sentences, conveying actions, states of being, and occurrences. A solid understanding of verb functions is crucial for effective communication, whether you’re writing an email, giving a presentation, or simply chatting with friends.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to verb functions, covering everything from basic definitions to advanced usage. This resource is designed for ESL learners of all levels who want to improve their grammar skills and speak English with confidence and accuracy.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is a Verb?
3. Structural Breakdown of Verbs
4. Types of Verbs
   • Action Verbs
   • Linking Verbs
   • Auxiliary Verbs
   • Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
   • Modal Verbs
   • Phrasal Verbs
5. Examples of Verb Functions
6. Usage Rules for Verbs
7. Common Mistakes with Verbs
8. Practice Exercises
9. Advanced Topics in Verb Usage
10. Frequently Asked Questions
11. Conclusion

What is a Verb?

A verb is a word that describes an action, occurrence, or state of being. It is the essential part of a sentence because it tells us what the subject does or is. Without a verb, a group of words cannot form a complete sentence. Verbs can express physical actions (run, jump), mental actions (think, believe), or states of being (be, seem).

Understanding the different functions and types of verbs is essential for constructing grammatical and meaningful sentences. Verbs change their form to indicate tense (past, present, future), number (singular, plural), and mood (indicative, imperative, subjunctive).

This adaptability allows us to express a wide range of ideas and nuances in English.

Structural Breakdown of Verbs

Verbs have different forms depending on their function and tense. The basic forms of a verb are the base form (or infinitive without “to”), the past simple form, the past participle form, and the present participle form.

Understanding these forms is crucial for correct verb conjugation.

Base Form: This is the infinitive form without “to” (e.g., walk, eat, sleep). It’s used in the present tense (except for the third-person singular), with modal verbs, and in the infinitive form.

Past Simple Form: This form indicates an action that happened in the past (e.g., walked, ate, slept). For regular verbs, it is formed by adding “-ed” to the base form. Irregular verbs have unique past simple forms.

Past Participle Form: This form is used with auxiliary verbs to form perfect tenses (e.g., have walked, had eaten, will have slept) and in passive voice constructions. For regular verbs, the past participle is the same as the past simple. Irregular verbs have unique past participle forms.

Present Participle Form: This form is used to indicate an ongoing action (e.g., walking, eating, sleeping). It is formed by adding “-ing” to the base form and is used with the auxiliary verb “be” to form continuous tenses.

Types of Verbs

Verbs are classified into several types based on their function in a sentence. The main types are action verbs, linking verbs, auxiliary verbs, transitive verbs, intransitive verbs, modal verbs, and phrasal verbs.

Each type has its own characteristics and usage rules.

Action Verbs

Action verbs describe actions or activities. They can be either physical (e.g., run, jump, write) or mental (e.g., think, believe, understand). Action verbs are the most common type of verb and are essential for expressing what someone or something does.

Linking Verbs

Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a noun or adjective that describes or identifies the subject. They do not express an action. Common linking verbs include be (is, are, was, were, been), seem, become, appear, look, feel, taste, smell, and sound.

For example, in the sentence “She is happy,” the verb “is” links the subject “She” to the adjective “happy,” which describes her state of being.

Auxiliary Verbs

Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, are used with main verbs to form different tenses, moods, and voices. The most common auxiliary verbs are be, have, and do. Modal verbs (can, could, will, would, shall, should, may, might, must) are also considered auxiliary verbs.

For instance, in the sentence “I have finished my work,” the auxiliary verb “have” helps to form the present perfect tense of the main verb “finished.”

Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Transitive verbs require a direct object to complete their meaning. The direct object is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb. For example, in the sentence “She reads a book,” the verb “reads” is transitive, and “a book” is the direct object.

Intransitive verbs do not require a direct object. They express a complete action on their own. For example, in the sentence “He sleeps,” the verb “sleeps” is intransitive.

Some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive, depending on the context. For example, “She sings” (intransitive) vs.

“She sings a song” (transitive).

Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that express possibility, necessity, permission, ability, or advice. They are always followed by the base form of a main verb. Common modal verbs include can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would.

For example, “You should study for the exam” (advice), “I can speak English” (ability), “It might rain tomorrow” (possibility).

Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb (or both) that create a new meaning. The meaning of a phrasal verb is often different from the meaning of the individual words. Examples include look up (search for information), give up (stop trying), turn on (activate), and take off (remove or depart).

Phrasal verbs can be transitive or intransitive, and some are separable (the object can go between the verb and the particle) while others are inseparable.

Examples of Verb Functions

The following tables provide examples of different verb types and their functions in sentences. These examples illustrate how verbs are used to express actions, states of being, and relationships between subjects and objects.

Table 1: Action Verbs

This table displays 30 examples of action verbs in sentences, highlighting their usage in expressing physical and mental activities.

Sentence	Verb	Type
The dog barks loudly.	barks	Physical Action
She writes a letter.	writes	Physical Action
He runs every morning.	runs	Physical Action
They play soccer on weekends.	play	Physical Action
I eat breakfast at 7 AM.	eat	Physical Action
The bird flies in the sky.	flies	Physical Action
She dances gracefully.	dances	Physical Action
He swims in the pool.	swims	Physical Action
They cook dinner together.	cook	Physical Action
I read a book before bed.	read	Physical Action
She thinks about the problem.	thinks	Mental Action
He believes in himself.	believes	Mental Action
They understand the concept.	understand	Mental Action
I remember my childhood.	remember	Mental Action
She knows the answer.	knows	Mental Action
He imagines a better future.	imagines	Mental Action
They consider the options.	consider	Mental Action
I feel happy today.	feel	Mental Action
She learns new things every day.	learns	Mental Action
He studies hard for his exams.	studies	Mental Action
The baby cries when he is hungry.	cries	Physical Action
The students listen to the teacher.	listen	Mental Action
The chef prepares the meal with care.	prepares	Physical Action
The artist paints a beautiful landscape.	paints	Physical Action
The musician performs on stage.	performs	Physical Action
The programmer codes new software.	codes	Mental Action
The doctor treats patients with compassion.	treats	Physical Action
The manager organizes the team’s tasks.	organizes	Mental Action
The writer creates compelling stories.	creates	Mental Action
The engineer designs innovative solutions.	designs	Mental Action

Table 2: Linking Verbs

This table illustrates the use of linking verbs by connecting subjects to descriptive adjectives or nouns, emphasizing their role in describing states of being.

Sentence	Verb	Function
She is happy.	is	Connects subject to adjective
He seems tired.	seems	Connects subject to adjective
They are students.	are	Connects subject to noun
It becomes cold in winter.	becomes	Connects subject to adjective
The food tastes delicious.	tastes	Connects subject to adjective
The music sounds beautiful.	sounds	Connects subject to adjective
The flower smells sweet.	smells	Connects subject to adjective
She appears confident.	appears	Connects subject to adjective
He feels sick.	feels	Connects subject to adjective
The sky looks clear.	looks	Connects subject to adjective
That is my car.	is	Connects subject to noun
She was a teacher.	was	Connects subject to noun
They were friends.	were	Connects subject to noun
It has been a long day.	has been	Connects subject to noun
He will be a doctor.	will be	Connects subject to noun
The cake is ready.	is	Connects subject to adjective
She remains optimistic.	remains	Connects subject to adjective
The problem is complex.	is	Connects subject to adjective
The answer is correct.	is	Connects subject to adjective
The situation is difficult.	is	Connects subject to adjective
The building stands tall.	stands	Connects subject to adjective
The coffee smells strong.	smells	Connects subject to adjective
The project turned successful.	turned	Connects subject to adjective
The task proved challenging.	proved	Connects subject to adjective
The weather stayed pleasant.	stayed	Connects subject to adjective
The situation seems manageable.	seems	Connects subject to adjective
The result appears promising.	appears	Connects subject to adjective
The atmosphere feels relaxed.	feels	Connects subject to adjective
The plan sounds feasible.	sounds	Connects subject to adjective
The idea sounds interesting.	sounds	Connects subject to adjective

Table 3: Auxiliary Verbs

This table provides examples of auxiliary verbs used with main verbs to form different tenses and express various modalities such as possibility, necessity, and permission.

Sentence	Auxiliary Verb	Main Verb	Function
I have finished my work.	have	finished	Present perfect tense
She is reading a book.	is	reading	Present continuous tense
They will travel tomorrow.	will	travel	Future tense
He can speak English.	can	speak	Ability
You should study for the exam.	should	study	Advice
It might rain later.	might	rain	Possibility
We must finish the project.	must	finish	Necessity
They are going to visit.	are	going	Future intention
He has been working hard.	has been	working	Present perfect continuous
She had already left.	had	left	Past perfect tense
I do not understand.	do	understand	Negative statement
Did you see the movie?	Did	see	Question
She does her homework.	does	do	Emphatic statement
They were playing outside.	were	playing	Past continuous tense
He will have completed it.	will have	completed	Future perfect tense
I would like to go.	would	like	Polite request
She could help you.	could	help	Possibility
They may arrive late.	may	arrive	Possibility
He would always complain.	would	complain	Past habit
She is being interviewed.	is being	interviewed	Passive voice
The report was written by her.	was	written	Passive voice
The task has been completed.	has been	completed	Passive voice
The book is being read by many.	is being	read	Passive voice
The room will be cleaned tomorrow.	will be	cleaned	Passive voice
The problem can be solved easily.	can be	solved	Passive voice
The issue should be addressed promptly.	should be	addressed	Passive voice
The question may be answered later.	may be	answered	Passive voice
The decision must be made soon.	must be	made	Passive voice
The arrangements have been finalized.	have been	finalized	Passive voice
The documents are being reviewed.	are being	reviewed	Passive voice

Table 4: Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

This table shows examples of verbs used both transitively (with a direct object) and intransitively (without a direct object), showcasing how context determines their function.

Sentence	Verb	Type	Object
She reads a book.	reads	Transitive	a book
He sleeps.	sleeps	Intransitive	–
They eat dinner.	eat	Transitive	dinner
I run every morning.	run	Intransitive	–
She sings a song.	sings	Transitive	a song
He sings beautifully.	sings	Intransitive	–
They write letters.	write	Transitive	letters
I write every day.	write	Intransitive	–
She opens the door.	opens	Transitive	the door
The flower opens in the morning.	opens	Intransitive	–
The chef cooks the meal.	cooks	Transitive	the meal
He cooks well.	cooks	Intransitive	–
She plays the piano.	plays	Transitive	the piano
He plays outside.	plays	Intransitive	–
They watch the movie.	watch	Transitive	the movie
He watches carefully.	watches	Intransitive	–
I drive a car.	drive	Transitive	a car
She drives fast.	drives	Intransitive	–
He drinks water.	drinks	Transitive	water
She drinks often.	drinks	Intransitive	–
The cat chases the mouse.	chases	Transitive	the mouse
The athlete trains hard.	trains	Intransitive	–
The teacher teaches the lesson.	teaches	Transitive	the lesson
The bird flies south.	flies	Intransitive	–
The gardener waters the plants.	waters	Transitive	the plants
The team competes fiercely.	competes	Intransitive	–
The author writes the novel.	writes	Transitive	the novel
The baby sleeps soundly.	sleeps	Intransitive	–
The student answers the question.	answers	Transitive	the question
The music plays loudly.	plays	Intransitive	–

Table 5: Modal Verbs

This table illustrates the use of modal verbs to express different modalities, such as ability, permission, obligation, and possibility. Each example demonstrates how modal verbs modify the meaning of the main verb.

Sentence	Modal Verb	Function
I can swim.	can	Ability
You may leave now.	may	Permission
We must study.	must	Obligation
He should apologize.	should	Advice
They will arrive soon.	will	Future
She would help if she could.	would	Conditional
It could rain tomorrow.	could	Possibility
You shall not pass.	shall	Formal command
Shall we dance?	shall	Suggestion
He might be late.	might	Possibility
You can borrow my book.	can	Permission
We must pay attention.	must	Necessity
They should exercise regularly.	should	Recommendation
She will succeed.	will	Certainty
I would prefer coffee.	would	Preference
It could be true.	could	Speculation
You may use my phone.	may	Authorization
We must respect the rules.	must	Requirement
He should listen to advice.	should	Suggestion
They will understand eventually.	will	Prediction
You can solve this problem.	can	Capability
We must adhere to the guidelines.	must	Duty
They should consider the consequences.	should	Advisability
She will graduate next year.	will	Likelihood
I would appreciate your help.	would	Polite request
It could happen to anyone.	could	Contingency
You can start the meeting now.	can	Authorization
We must protect the environment.	must	Responsibility
They should review the document carefully.	should	Prudence
He will finish the project on time.	will	Expectation

Usage Rules for Verbs

Correct verb usage is essential for clear and accurate communication. Here are some key rules to keep in mind:

Subject-Verb Agreement: Verbs must agree in number with their subjects. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs. For example, “He walks” (singular) vs. “They walk” (plural).

Tense Consistency: Maintain consistent verb tense within a sentence or paragraph unless there is a clear reason to change tense. For example, “She went to the store and bought some milk” (both verbs are in the past tense).

Active vs. Passive Voice: Use the active voice when the subject performs the action, and the passive voice when the subject receives the action. For example, “The dog chased the ball” (active) vs. “The ball was chased by the dog” (passive).

Use of Infinitives and Gerunds: Infinitives (to + base form) and gerunds (verb + -ing) can function as nouns in a sentence. Certain verbs are followed by infinitives (e.g., want to go), while others are followed by gerunds (e.g., enjoy swimming).

Correct Use of Modal Verbs: Modal verbs are always followed by the base form of the main verb. They cannot be used with another modal verb (e.g., “I can swim” is correct, but “I can will swim” is incorrect).

Common Mistakes with Verbs

ESL learners often make common mistakes with verb usage. Being aware of these errors can help you avoid them.

Subject-Verb Agreement Errors:

• Incorrect: He like to play soccer.
• Correct: He likes to play soccer.

Incorrect Tense Usage:

• Incorrect: I will went to the store yesterday.
• Correct: I went to the store yesterday.

Misuse of Auxiliary Verbs:

• Incorrect: She don’t like coffee.
• Correct: She doesn’t like coffee.

Confusion between Transitive and Intransitive Verbs:

• Incorrect: He sleeps the bed.
• Correct: He sleeps in the bed.

Incorrect Use of Modal Verbs:

• Incorrect: You must to study hard.
• Correct: You must study hard.

Misunderstanding Phrasal Verbs:

• Incorrect: I looked the information up. (when the object is a pronoun)
• Correct: I looked it up.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of verb functions with these practice exercises. Each exercise focuses on a different aspect of verb usage.

Answers are provided at the end of each exercise.

Exercise 1: Subject-Verb Agreement

Choose the correct form of the verb in the following sentences:

Question	Options	Answer
1. She (like/ likes) to read novels.	like / likes
2. They (play/plays) soccer every weekend.	play / plays
3. He (has/have) a new car.	has / have
4. We (is/are) going to the beach.	is / are
5. The dog (bark/barks) loudly.	bark / barks

Answers:

1. likes
2. play
3. has
4. are
5. barks

Exercise 2: Identifying Verb Tenses

Identify the tense of the verb in each of the following sentences:

Question	Tense Options	Answer
1. I am studying English.	Present Simple / Present Continuous / Past Simple
2. She visited Paris last year.	Present Perfect / Past Simple / Future Simple
3. They will travel to Japan next month.	Future Simple / Present Continuous / Past Perfect
4. He has finished his work.	Past Simple / Present Perfect / Future Perfect
5. We were watching TV when she arrived.	Past Simple / Past Continuous / Past Perfect

Answers:

1. Present Continuous
2. Past Simple
3. Future Simple
4. Present Perfect
5. Past Continuous

Exercise 3: Using Auxiliary Verbs

Fill in the blanks with the correct auxiliary verb (is, are, was, were, have, has, do, does, did):

1. She ______ reading a book.
2. They ______ playing in the park yesterday.
3. He ______ finished his homework.
4. We ______ going to the movies tonight.
5. ______ you see the new film?

Answers:

1. is
2. were
3. has
4. are
5. Did

Exercise 4: Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Identify whether the verb in each sentence is transitive or intransitive:

1. She reads novels. (Transitive / Intransitive)
2. He sleeps. (Transitive / Intransitive)
3. They eat dinner. (Transitive / Intransitive)
4. I run every morning. (Transitive / Intransitive)
5. The bird flies. (Transitive / Intransitive)

Answers:

1. Transitive
2. Intransitive
3. Transitive
4. Intransitive
5. Intransitive

Exercise 5: Modal Verbs

Choose the correct modal verb to complete each sentence:

1. You ______ study for the exam. (must / may)
2. I ______ swim. (can / should)
3. They ______ arrive late. (might / will)
4. We ______ go to the party. (should / can)
5. She ______ help you. (could / must)

Answers:

1. must
2. can
3. might
4. should
5. could

Advanced Topics in Verb Usage

For advanced ESL learners, mastering more complex aspects of verb usage can significantly enhance their fluency and accuracy. These topics include the subjunctive mood, conditional sentences, and advanced phrasal verbs.

Subjunctive Mood: The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, suggestions, commands, or hypothetical situations. It often uses the base form of the verb and is common in formal writing. For example, “I suggest that he be on time” or “If I were you, I would study harder.”

Conditional Sentences: Conditional sentences express conditions and their results. They typically use “if” and can be in various forms, including zero, first, second, and third conditionals. Each type has specific verb tense patterns. For example, “If it rains, I will stay home” (first conditional) or “If I had studied, I would have passed the exam” (third conditional).

Advanced Phrasal Verbs: Understanding and using advanced phrasal verbs can make your English sound more natural and idiomatic. These phrasal verbs often have multiple meanings and can be challenging to master. Examples include bring about (cause), iron out (resolve), and tide over (help through a difficult period).

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Understanding verb functions is a cornerstone of English grammar, crucial for ESL learners aiming for fluency and accuracy. This article has covered the essential aspects of verb usage, from basic definitions and types to common mistakes and advanced topics.

By mastering these concepts and practicing regularly, you can significantly improve your ability to communicate effectively in English. Keep learning, keep practicing, and you’ll be well on your way to mastering verb functions in English.