A verb is the part of speech that relates to a state of being or an action. It is also recognized, less formally, as an action word. They are often the centre of any statement, and each sentence must include one. Distinguishing what the verb is in a statement is fundamental to comprehending what that statement means.
What Is a Verb?
A verb is a word that carries action or a state of being.
Types of Verbs
There are several types of verbs. But verbs are divided into three main types mentioned as follows:
- Action verbs, i.e. which are intransitive or transitive
- Modal verbs called helping verbs
- Auxiliary verbs sometimes called linking verbs
What is an Action Verb?
When a thing or person is doing something, that’s an action verb. Action verbs remain the best ones to utilize in your writing to drive your story onward and build tension. It’s crucial to remember that the action does not have to be real. Action verb examples: Smile, Listen, Run, Dance, Think, Do, Go, Slide, Jump, and stand e.t.c.
They can be split into two categories:
Transitive Verbs
Transitive verbs are action verbs that express doable actions that relate or affect something or someone else. This type of verb entails both a direct subject and one or more objects. Such as show, make and take. In a sentence with a transitive verb, something or someone receives the action of the verb. Transitive verb examples: Tolerate, Believe, Love, Respect, Maintain e.t.c
Examples of transitive verbs in the sentence are given below:
- I ate the Pizza (in this sentence, “pizza” is the direct object of “ate”).
- I read the Novel (in this sentence, “novel” is the direct object of “read”).
Intransitive Verbs
Intransitive verbs are action verbs that always express doable activities. This type of verb does not require an object. The main point of difference between a transitive verb and an intransitive verb is that the former uses a direct object while the latter does not use it. Intransitive verb examples: Walk, Cough, Laugh, Run, Play e.t.c
Examples of intransitive verbs are given below:
- The sun sets in the west (in this sentence, the word “sets” does not use a direct object)
- They read (note the use of the verb in this sentence).
Notice, the verb is not followed by an object when it is used intransitively.
- What is an Auxiliary Verb?
Auxiliary verbs are also known as helping, or linking verbs is a kind of verb that is used to connect the subject with two kinds of compliments either noun or adjective.
Common examples of auxiliary verbs include is, was, will.
Examples of linking verbs are given below:
- He is handsome.
- She is beautiful.
- Mike is a student.
- She became ill.
What is a Modal Verb?
Modal verbs assist us in knowing more about the verb in question. They give us hints on the possibility, permissions, and obligations of something happening (can, should, etc.) or time (has, did, was, etc.). When you add a modal or helping verb to your sentence, you’ve created a verb phrase. Examples;
He can shoot a three-point shot easily. The auxiliary verb can is expressing ability, suggesting that shooting a three-point shot is a skill the subject possesses.
Thus, these were the types of verbs and their uses in sentences. They are an important part of speech in the English language and serve as the centre of attention.
Brought to you by the KidsEnglishCollege™ Editorial Team.
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