Verb

What is a Verb?

A verb is a word that shows action, state, or occurrence. It is the most important part of a sentence because it tells what the subject is doing or what is happening.

Examples:

• She runs every morning. (action)

• He is happy. (state)

• It rained yesterday. (occurrence)

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Main Types of Verbs

1. Action Verbs

These verbs show what someone or something does.

Examples:

• She writes a letter.

• The dog barks loudly.

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2. Linking Verbs

These verbs connect the subject with a state or condition. They do not show action.

Common linking verbs: is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been, become, seem

Examples:

• He is a doctor.

• The milk smells bad.

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3. Helping Verbs (Auxiliary Verbs)

These verbs are used with the main verb to show tense, voice, or mood.

Common helping verbs: is, am, are, was, were, have, has, had, do, does, did, will, shall, can, may, might, must

Examples:

• She is playing tennis.

• They have finished their work.

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4. Transitive Verbs

These verbs need an object to complete their meaning.

Examples:

• She reads a book. (Book = object)

• They play football.

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5. Intransitive Verbs

These verbs do not need an object. The action is complete in itself.

Examples:

• Birds fly.

• He sleeps peacefully.

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6. Regular Verbs

These verbs form their past tense by adding -ed or -d.

Examples:

• Walk → Walked

• Laugh → Laughed

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7. Irregular Verbs

These verbs do not follow the -ed rule in the past tense.

Examples:

• Go → Went

• Eat → Ate

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8. Finite Verbs

These verbs change according to the subject or tense.

Examples:

• He plays.

• They play.

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9. Non-Finite Verbs

These verbs do not change with subject or tense. They stay the same.

Types of non-finite verbs: Infinitive, Gerund, Participle

Examples:

• I like to swim. (infinitive)

• Swimming is good. (gerund)

• The boiling water burned me. (participle)

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10. Modal Verbs

These verbs show possibility, necessity, ability, or permission.

Common modal verbs: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would

Examples:

• She can dance.

• You must wear a uniform.

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Summary Table of Verb Types

Type of Verb	Definition	Example
Action Verb	Shows physical/mental action	She runs fast.
Linking Verb	Shows state or condition	He is tall.
Helping Verb	Helps the main verb	They are going.
Transitive Verb	Needs an object	She reads a book.
Intransitive Verb	Doesn’t need an object	He sleeps.
Regular Verb	Adds -ed/-d in past	Work → Worked
Irregular Verb	Past form changes	Go → Went
Finite Verb	Changes with subject/tense	He writes.
Non-Finite Verb	Doesn’t change	I like to write.
Modal Verb	Shows possibility/necessity	You must go.

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