Mastering verbs is crucial for success in any competitive English exam. Verbs are the backbone of sentences, conveying actions, states of being, and occurrences.
A strong understanding of verb tenses, moods, voice, and agreement is essential for accurate and effective communication. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the most important verbs and verb-related concepts you need to know to excel in your exams.
Whether you’re preparing for the TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, or any other English proficiency test, this resource will equip you with the knowledge and practice necessary to confidently tackle verb-related questions.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of Verbs
- Structural Breakdown of Verbs
- Types of Verbs
- Examples of Verbs in Sentences
- Usage Rules for Verbs
- Common Mistakes with Verbs
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of Verbs
A verb is a word that describes an action, occurrence, or state of being. It is a crucial part of a sentence, as it forms the main part of the predicate. Verbs indicate what the subject of the sentence is doing or experiencing. They are highly versatile and can change form to indicate tense, mood, voice, and number, making them essential for conveying nuanced meanings.
Verbs can be classified based on their function and behavior within a sentence. Understanding these classifications is crucial for mastering English grammar.
Some common classifications include action verbs, linking verbs, auxiliary verbs, and modal verbs. Each type has its own unique characteristics and rules for usage.
The context in which a verb is used greatly affects its meaning and form. Consider the difference between “I run every day” (present simple, habitual action) and “I am running now” (present continuous, action in progress). Recognizing these contextual variations is key to accurate interpretation and use of verbs in written and spoken English.
Structural Breakdown of Verbs
The structure of a verb can be broken down into several key components. These components determine how the verb functions within a sentence and how it interacts with other words.
Understanding these elements is essential for constructing grammatically correct and meaningful sentences.
The base form of a verb is its simplest form, often used in dictionaries. From the base form, we derive other forms by adding suffixes or changing the spelling. For example, from the base form “walk,” we can form “walks,” “walked,” and “walking.” These different forms indicate tense, number, and aspect.
Verb conjugations involve changing the form of a verb to agree with the subject in number and person, as well as to indicate tense, mood, and voice. English verb conjugations are relatively simple compared to some other languages, but they still require careful attention to detail. For example, the verb “to be” has different forms for different subjects: I am, you are, he/she/it is, we are, they are.
Types of Verbs
Action Verbs
Action verbs describe what the subject of a sentence does. They can express physical actions (e.g., run, jump, write) or mental actions (e.g., think, believe, understand). Action verbs are the most common type of verb and are essential for conveying dynamic and descriptive information.
Action verbs can be further categorized as transitive or intransitive, depending on whether they take a direct object. A transitive verb requires a direct object to complete its meaning (e.g., “She wrote a letter”). An intransitive verb does not require a direct object (e.g., “He slept“).
The following table provides examples of action verbs, categorized by physical and mental actions.
| Physical Action Verbs | Mental Action Verbs |
|---|---|
| Run | Think |
| Jump | Believe |
| Write | Understand |
| Eat | Consider |
| Sleep | Imagine |
| Dance | Remember |
| Sing | Forget |
| Swim | Analyze |
| Climb | Evaluate |
| Build | Question |
| Carry | Assume |
| Throw | Doubt |
| Catch | Recognize |
| Push | Perceive |
| Pull | Learn |
| Dig | Know |
| Cook | Decide |
| Lift | Intuit |
| Walk | Wonder |
| Speak | Contemplate |
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 action; instead, they link the subject to additional information about it. The most common linking verb is “to be” (am, is, are, was, were, been, being), but other verbs can also function as linking verbs, such as become, seem, appear, feel, look, sound, taste, smell, grow, remain.
Sentences with linking verbs often follow the pattern: Subject + Linking Verb + Subject Complement. The subject complement is a noun or adjective that renames or describes the subject. For example, in the sentence “She is a doctor,” “is” is the linking verb, and “doctor” is the subject complement.
The following table provides examples of linking verbs in sentences.
| Sentence | Linking Verb | Subject Complement |
|---|---|---|
| She is a teacher. | is | teacher |
| He seems happy. | seems | happy |
| The soup tastes delicious. | tastes | delicious |
| They are students. | are | students |
| It became cold. | became | cold |
| The music sounds beautiful. | sounds | beautiful |
| She looks tired. | looks | tired |
| He remained calm. | remained | calm |
| The flowers smell fragrant. | smell | fragrant |
| The sky turned grey. | turned | grey |
| The food grew cold. | grew | cold |
| He appears confident. | appears | confident |
| I am excited. | am | excited |
| You are kind. | are | kind |
| It was a surprise. | was | surprise |
| We were late. | were | late |
| They have been informed. | have been | informed |
| He is being difficult. | is being | difficult |
| The report is accurate. | is | accurate |
| The situation seems stable. | seems | stable |
Auxiliary Verbs
Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, assist the main verb in a sentence. They add grammatical information such as tense, mood, or voice. The most common auxiliary verbs are be, do, and have. Modal verbs (can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would) are also considered auxiliary verbs.
Auxiliary verbs combine with main verbs to form verb phrases. For example, in the sentence “She is reading a book,” “is” is the auxiliary verb, and “reading” is the main verb. Together, they form the present continuous tense.
The following table provides examples of auxiliary verbs in sentences.
| Sentence | Auxiliary Verb | Main Verb |
|---|---|---|
| She is studying. | is | studying |
| They have finished. | have | finished |
| He does not understand. | does | understand |
| We are going. | are | going |
| I have been working. | have been | working |
| You did not complete the task. | did | complete |
| It was raining. | was | raining |
| They had left before I arrived. | had | left |
| We will travel next year. | will | travel |
| I am writing an email. | am | writing |
| They are playing soccer. | are | playing |
| He has visited many countries. | has | visited |
| She did her homework. | did | do |
| We have eaten lunch. | have | eaten |
| The book was read by him. | was | read |
| The letter is being written. | is being | written |
| The cake has been baked. | has been | baked |
| The project will be completed soon. | will be | completed |
| The problem is being addressed. | is being | addressed |
| He has been promoted. | has been | promoted |
Modal Verbs
Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb that express possibility, necessity, permission, obligation, or ability. They are always followed by the base form of the main verb. Common modal verbs include can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would.
Modal verbs do not change form to agree with the subject. They also do not have infinitive or past participle forms.
Instead, they are used in conjunction with other verbs to convey specific meanings.
The following table provides examples of modal verbs in sentences.
| Sentence | Modal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| I can swim. | can | Ability |
| You should study. | should | Advice |
| They must arrive on time. | must | Obligation |
| We will go to the park. | will | Future intention |
| She might be late. | might | Possibility |
| He could help you. | could | Ability/Possibility |
| May I ask a question? | may | Permission |
| Would you like some tea? | would | Offer |
| I shall return. | shall | Formal future |
| You must not cheat. | must | Prohibition |
| He can speak French. | can | Ability |
| She should apologize. | should | Advice |
| They must finish the project. | must | Obligation |
| We will visit our grandparents. | will | Future intention |
| It might rain tomorrow. | might | Possibility |
| He could have won the race. | could have | Past possibility |
| May I use your phone? | may | Permission |
| Would you mind closing the window? | would | Polite request |
| I shall be there. | shall | Formal future |
| You must not enter. | must | Prohibition |
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
As mentioned earlier, action verbs can be classified as transitive or intransitive. A transitive verb requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object receives the action of the verb (e.g., “She wrote a letter”). An intransitive verb does not require a direct object (e.g., “He slept“).
Some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive, depending on the context. For example, the verb “eat” can be transitive (“She ate the apple”) or intransitive (“She ate early”).
The following table provides examples of transitive and intransitive verbs.
| Transitive Verbs | Intransitive Verbs |
|---|---|
| Write (She wrote a letter.) | Sleep (He slept soundly.) |
| Read (He read the book.) | Arrive (They arrived late.) |
| Eat (She ate the apple.) | Cry (The baby cried.) |
| Build (They built a house.) | Smile (She smiled happily.) |
| Drive (He drove the car.) | Die (The plant died.) |
| Catch (She caught the ball.) | Exist (Life exists on Earth.) |
| Throw (He threw the ball.) | Rain (It rained yesterday.) |
| Kick (He kicked the ball.) | Snow (It snowed last night.) |
| Paint (She painted the picture.) | Wait (We waited patiently.) |
| Cook (He cooked dinner.) | Dance (They danced all night.) |
| Sing (She sang a song.) | Travel (They travel frequently.) |
| Play (He played the guitar.) | Fly (Birds fly in the sky.) |
| Watch (She watched the movie.) | Swim (He swims every day.) |
| Hear (I heard a noise.) | Grow (Plants grow quickly.) |
| See (They saw the accident.) | Fall (Leaves fall in autumn.) |
| Find (He found the key.) | Seem (He seems tired.) |
| Give (She gave a gift.) | Appear (She appears confident.) |
| Take (He took a picture.) | Happen (Accidents happen.) |
| Make (She made a cake.) | Stay (We stayed home.) |
| Buy (He bought a car.) | Begin (The movie begins soon.) |
Regular and Irregular Verbs
Verbs are also classified as regular or irregular based on how they form their past tense and past participle. Regular verbs form their past tense and past participle by adding “-ed” to the base form (e.g., walk – walked – walked). Irregular verbs do not follow this pattern and have unique forms for their past tense and past participle (e.g., go – went – gone).
Irregular verbs must be memorized, as there is no predictable pattern for their formation. They are common in English, so mastering them is essential for accurate grammar.
The following table provides examples of regular and irregular verbs.
| Base Form | Past Tense | Past Participle | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walk | Walked | Walked | Regular |
| Play | Played | Played | Regular |
| Talk | Talked | Talked | Regular |
| Jump | Jumped | Jumped | Regular |
| Study | Studied | Studied | Regular |
| Go | Went | Gone | Irregular |
| See | Saw | Seen | Irregular |
| Eat | Ate | Eaten | Irregular |
| Write | Wrote | Written | Irregular |
| Take | Took | Taken | Irregular |
| Bring | Brought | Brought | Irregular |
| Buy | Bought | Bought | Irregular |
| Catch | Caught | Caught | Irregular |
| Feel | Felt | Felt | Irregular |
| Find | Found | Found | Irregular |
| Have | Had | Had | Irregular |
| Know | Knew | Known | Irregular |
| Make | Made | Made | Irregular |
| Say | Said | Said | Irregular |
| Think | Thought | Thought | Irregular |
Examples of Verbs in Sentences
Verbs are the core of any sentence, providing the action or state of being. Here are more examples showcasing different types of verbs in various contexts:
| Sentence | Verb Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The dog barks loudly. | Action (Intransitive) | Describes a physical action done by the subject. |
| She writes novels. | Action (Transitive) | Describes a physical action with a direct object. |
| He is a doctor. | Linking | Connects the subject to a noun that renames it. |
| The food tastes delicious. | Linking | Connects the subject to an adjective describing it. |
| They are studying. | Auxiliary | Helps the main verb to form a tense. |
| I have finished my work. | Auxiliary | Helps the main verb to form a perfect tense. |
| You should apologize. | Modal | Expresses advice or recommendation. |
| We can swim. | Modal | Expresses ability. |
| The sun rises in the east. | Action (Intransitive) | Describes a natural phenomenon. |
| She painted the picture beautifully. | Action (Transitive) | Describes a creative action with a direct object. |
| He became angry. | Linking | Connects the subject to an adjective describing a state. |
| The music sounds pleasant. | Linking | Connects the subject to an adjective describing a quality. |
| They will arrive soon. | Auxiliary | Helps the main verb to express future tense. |
| She has been working hard. | Auxiliary | Helps the main verb to form a perfect continuous tense. |
| I must leave now. | Modal | Expresses obligation or necessity. |
| We might go to the beach. | Modal | Expresses possibility. |
| The river flows gently. | Action (Intransitive) | Describes a natural movement. |
| He solved the problem quickly. | Action (Transitive) | Describes a problem-solving action. |
| She felt happy. | Linking | Connects the subject to an adjective describing a feeling. |
| The cake smells delicious. | Linking | Connects the subject to an adjective describing a sensory quality. |
Usage Rules for Verbs
Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement means that the verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. This is a fundamental rule of English grammar.
A singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb.
For example, “He is” (singular) and “They are” (plural). Pay close attention to this rule, especially in complex sentences where the subject may be separated from the verb by other words.
Here are some examples illustrating subject-verb agreement:
- The dog barks. (Singular subject, singular verb)
- The dogs bark. (Plural subject, plural verb)
- She is a teacher. (Singular subject, singular verb)
- They are students. (Plural subject, plural verb)
- He has a car. (Singular subject, singular verb)
- We have a house. (Plural subject, plural verb)
Verb Tenses
Verb tenses indicate when an action takes place. English has three main tenses: past, present, and future.
Each tense has simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous forms, allowing for nuanced expression of time.
Understanding and using verb tenses correctly is crucial for clear and accurate communication. Each tense conveys a specific meaning and is used in particular contexts.
Here’s a brief overview of the main verb tenses:
- Present Simple: Describes habitual actions, general truths, or facts (e.g., “I eat breakfast every day”).
- Present Continuous: Describes actions happening now or around now (e.g., “I am eating breakfast now”).
- Present Perfect: Describes actions that started in the past and continue to the present or have a result in the present (e.g., “I have eaten breakfast”).
- Present Perfect Continuous: Describes actions that started in the past and are still continuing (e.g., “I have been eating breakfast for an hour”).
- Past Simple: Describes completed actions in the past (e.g., “I ate breakfast yesterday”).
- Past Continuous: Describes actions in progress at a specific time in the past (e.g., “I was eating breakfast at 8 am”).
- Past Perfect: Describes actions completed before a specific time in the past (e.g., “I had eaten breakfast before I left”).
- Past Perfect Continuous: Describes actions that had been in progress before a specific time in the past (e.g., “I had been eating breakfast for an hour before I left”).
- Future Simple: Describes actions that will happen in the future (e.g., “I will eat breakfast tomorrow”).
- Future Continuous: Describes actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future (e.g., “I will be eating breakfast at 8 am tomorrow”).
- Future Perfect: Describes actions that will be completed by a specific time in the future (e.g., “I will have eaten breakfast by 9 am tomorrow”).
- Future Perfect Continuous: Describes actions that will have been in progress for a period of time before a specific time in the future (e.g., “I will have been eating breakfast for an hour by 9 am tomorrow”).
Active and Passive Voice
Verbs can be in the active or passive voice. In the active voice, the subject performs the action (e.g., “The dog chased the cat”). In the passive voice, the subject receives the action (e.g., “The cat was chased by the dog”).
The passive voice is formed using a form of the verb “to be” + the past participle of the main verb. The active voice is generally more direct and concise, while the passive voice is used when the action is more important than the actor or when the actor is unknown.
Here are some examples of active and passive voice:
- Active: She wrote a letter.
- Passive: A letter was written by her.
- Active: They built a house.
- Passive: A house was built by them.
- Active: He eats the apple.
- Passive: The apple is eaten by him.
Conditional Sentences
Conditional sentences express a condition and its result. They typically contain an “if” clause and a main clause.
There are four main types of conditional sentences:
- Zero Conditional: Expresses general truths or facts. (If + present simple, present simple) – e.g., “If you heat water, it boils.”
- First Conditional: Expresses a possible condition and its probable result. (If + present simple, will + base form) – e.g., “If it rains, I will stay home.”
- Second Conditional: Expresses an unlikely or hypothetical condition and its probable result. (If + past simple, would + base form) – e.g., “If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.”
- Third Conditional: Expresses an impossible condition in the past and its hypothetical result. (If + past perfect, would have + past participle) – e.g., “If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.”
Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood expresses wishes, suggestions, commands, or hypothetical situations. It is less common in modern English but still important to recognize.
The subjunctive mood often uses the base form of the verb, regardless of the subject. For example, “I suggest that he be on time.” Common expressions that use the subjunctive mood include “I suggest that,” “It is important that,” and “I wish that.”
Here are some examples of the subjunctive mood:
- I suggest that he study harder.
- It is important that she be present.
- I wish I were taller.
- If I were you, I would apologize.
Common Mistakes with Verbs
Even advanced English learners make mistakes with verbs. Here are some common errors to watch out for:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| He don’t like it. | He doesn’t like it. | Subject-verb agreement: “He” requires “doesn’t.” |
| I have went to the store. | I have gone to the store. | Incorrect past participle of “go.” |
| She is being agree with you. | She agrees with you. | “Agree” is a stative verb and not usually used in the continuous form. |
| If I would have known, I would have helped. | If I had known, I would have helped. | Incorrect conditional structure. |
| They was happy. | They were happy. | Subject-verb agreement: “They” requires “were.” |
| He must to study. | He must study. | Modal verbs are followed by the base form of the verb. |
| I am agree. | I agree. | “Agree” is a stative verb and not usually used in the continuous form. |
| She has finish her work. | She has finished her work. | Missing “-ed” ending on the past participle. |
| We are waiting him. | We are waiting for him. | Missing preposition “for” after “waiting.” |
| They didn’t went. | They didn’t go. | After “did not,” use the base form of the verb. |
| I seen him yesterday. | I saw him yesterday. | Incorrect past tense of “see.” |
| She goed to the party. | She went to the party. | Incorrect past tense of “go.” |
| He is taller than me. | He is taller than I am. | Using the correct pronoun form after “than.” |
| We was at the park. | We were at the park. | Subject-verb agreement: “We” requires “were.” |
| They has finished the work. | They have finished the work. | Subject-verb agreement: “They” requires “have.” |
| I am knowing the answer. | I know the answer. | “Know” is a stative verb and not usually used in the continuous form. |
| She don’t like coffee. | She doesn’t like coffee. | Subject-verb agreement: “She” requires “doesn’t.” |
| He have a car. | He has a car. | Subject-verb agreement: “He” requires “has.” |
| We is going to the beach. | We are going to the beach. | Subject-verb agreement: “We” requires “are.” |
| They is coming tomorrow. | They are coming tomorrow. | Subject-verb agreement: “They” requires “are.” |
Practice Exercises
Test your knowledge of verbs with these practice exercises. Choose the correct form of the verb in each sentence.
- He (go/goes) to school every day.
Answer: goes
- They (are/is) playing soccer now.
Answer: are
- She (has/have) finished her homework.
Answer: has
- I (was/were) at the library yesterday.
Answer: was
- We (will/shall) go to the movies tomorrow.
Answer: will
- If it (rain/rains), we will stay home.
Answer: rains
- They (build/built) a house last year.
Answer: built
- He (does/do) not like coffee.
Answer: does
- She (is/are) a doctor.
Answer: is
- We (have/has) a meeting tomorrow.
Answer: have
- The dog (bark/barks) loudly.
Answer: barks
- They (eat/eats) dinner at 7 PM.
Answer: eat
- She (write/writes) novels.
Answer: writes
- He (is/are) being helpful.
Answer: is
- We (will/shall) visit them soon.
Answer: will
- If I (were/was) you, I would apologize.
Answer: were
- They (see/saw) the movie yesterday.
Answer: saw
- He (doesn’t/don’t) understand the question.
Answer: doesn’t
- She (is/are) a student.
Answer: is
- We (has/have) a car.
Answer: have
Advanced Topics
Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb. These combinations often have meanings that are different from the individual words.
Mastering phrasal verbs is crucial for understanding idiomatic English.
Phrasal verbs can be transitive or intransitive, and some can be separated (the object can go between the verb and the particle) while others cannot.
Here are some examples of phrasal verbs:
- Look up: to search for information (e.g., “I need to look up the definition of this word.”)
- Give up: to stop trying (e.g., “Don’t give up on your dreams.”)
- Take off: to remove or to depart (e.g., “Please take off your shoes.” or “The plane will take off soon.”)
- Turn on: to activate (e.g., “Turn on the light.”)
- Put off: to postpone (e.g., “We had to put off the meeting.”)
Gerunds and Infinitives
Gerunds and infinitives are verb forms that function as nouns. A gerund is a verb ending in “-ing” (e.g., swimming, reading, writing). An infinitive is the base form of the verb preceded by “to” (e.g., to swim, to read, to write).
Gerunds and infinitives can be used as subjects, objects, or complements in a sentence. Some verbs are followed by gerunds, while others are followed by infinitives.
Knowing which form to use is important for grammatical accuracy.
Here are some examples of gerunds and infinitives:
- Gerund as subject: Swimming is my favorite exercise.
- Gerund as object: I enjoy reading novels.
- Infinitive as subject: To travel is my dream.
- Infinitive as object: I want to learn Spanish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a transitive and an intransitive verb?
A transitive verb requires a direct object to complete its meaning, while an intransitive verb does not.
How do I identify a linking verb?
Linking verbs connect the subject to a noun or adjective that describes or identifies the subject. Common linking verbs include “to be” (am, is, are, was, were) and verbs like “seem,” “appear,” and “become.”
What are modal verbs, and how are they used?
Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that express possibility, necessity, permission, obligation, or ability. They are always followed by the base form of the main verb.
Common modal verbs include can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would.
How can I improve my subject-verb agreement skills?
Pay close attention to the subject of the sentence and ensure that the verb agrees in number (singular or plural). Practice identifying the subject and verb in various sentences.
What is the difference between the active and passive voice?
In the active voice, the subject performs the action, while in the passive voice, the subject receives the action. The passive voice is formed using a form of the verb “to be” + the past participle of the main verb.
How do I use conditional sentences correctly?
Understand the four main types of conditional sentences (zero, first, second, and third) and their corresponding verb tenses. Practice constructing sentences using the correct structure for each type.
What is the subjunctive mood, and when is it used?
The subjunctive mood expresses wishes, suggestions, commands, or hypothetical situations. It often uses the base form of the verb, regardless of the subject.
Common expressions that use the subjunctive mood include “I suggest that,” “It is important that,” and “I wish that.”
How can I master phrasal verbs?
Study lists of common phrasal verbs and their meanings. Practice using them in sentences and pay attention to their usage in context.
What are gerunds and infinitives, and how are they used?
Gerunds are verb forms ending in “-ing” that function as nouns, while infinitives are the base form of the verb preceded by “to” that also function as nouns. Learn which verbs are typically followed by gerunds and which are followed by infinitives.
Conclusion
A strong command of verbs is indispensable for success in competitive English exams. This guide has covered the fundamental aspects of verbs, including their definition, structural breakdown, types, usage rules, common mistakes, and advanced topics.
By mastering these concepts and practicing regularly, you can significantly enhance your English proficiency and confidently tackle verb-related questions in any exam. Remember to focus on subject-verb agreement, verb tenses, active and passive voice, conditional sentences, the subjunctive mood, phrasal verbs, and gerunds and infinitives.
Consistent practice and attention to detail will pave the way for your success.