Introduction
In English grammar, verbs are the heartbeat of a sentence. Without verbs, words cannot form meaningful expressions. Whether it is an action (run, play, write), a state of being (is, seem, become), or an occurrence (happen, occur), verbs tell us what is happening in a sentence.
For example:
- She runs every morning.
- They are happy.
- The event happened yesterday.
This article explores verbs in depth—their definition, functions, types, forms, and examples—using clear explanations and easy-to-follow tables.
Table of Contents
What is a Verb? (Definition)
A verb is the part of speech that tells us about an action, an incident, or a condition of existence. It tells us what the subject of the sentence does, experiences, or is.
👉 In short, verbs are “doing words” or “being words.”
Examples:
- Action: The baby cries loudly.
- State: He is a doctor.
- Event: A miracle occurred.
Why are Verbs Important?
Verbs are essential because they:
- Make sentences complete.
- Show tense (past, present, future).
- Express possibility, necessity, or conditions.
- Connect the subject with information about it.
| Without Verb | With Verb |
|---|---|
| She a teacher. ❌ | She is a teacher. ✔ |
| They cricket. ❌ | They play cricket. ✔ |
Functions of Verbs in Sentences
| Function | Example Sentence | Verb Used |
|---|---|---|
| Show Action | The boy runs fast. | runs |
| Show State | She is tired. | is |
| Show Possibility | You can win. | can |
| Show Obligation | You must study. | must |
| Form Questions | Do you like coffee? | do |
Types of Verbs
Verbs can be classified into different categories. Here’s a structured explanation with examples.
1. Main Verbs (Lexical Verbs)
Carry the main meaning in a sentence.
| Example | Sentence |
|---|---|
| eat | She eats bread. |
| run | They run daily. |
| write | He writes a story. |
2. Helping Verbs (Auxiliary Verbs)
Help main verbs form tenses, negatives, or questions.
| Helping Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| is | She is singing. |
| have | They have finished. |
| do | Do you like tea? |
3. Action Verbs
Show physical or mental actions.
| Action Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| jump | The dog jumps high. |
| think | She thinks deeply. |
4. Linking Verbs
Connect subject with its description.
| Linking Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| is | The sky is blue. |
| became | She became a singer. |
5. Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs
| Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Transitive | Needs an object | She writes a letter. |
| Intransitive | No object needed | He sleeps peacefully. |
6. Regular vs. Irregular Verbs
| Type | Rule | Example | Past Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | Add -ed | play → played | played |
| Irregular | Changes differently | go → went | went |
7. Modal Verbs
Express ability, possibility, permission, or obligation.
| Modal Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| can | She can dance well. |
| must | You must study. |
| should | We should respect elders. |
8. Phrasal Verbs
Verb + Preposition/Adverb → New meaning.
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| give up | quit | He gave up smoking. |
| look after | take care of | She looks after her brother. |
| break down | stop working | The car broke down. |
9. Finite vs. Non-Finite Verbs
| Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Finite | Changes with subject/tense | She plays cricket. |
| Non-Finite | Doesn’t change | She likes to play cricket. |
Verb Forms in English
Every verb has five main forms:
| Base Form | Past Simple | Past Participle | Present Participle | 3rd Person Singular |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| go | went | gone | going | goes |
| eat | ate | eaten | eating | eats |
| play | played | played | playing | plays |
Verb Tenses
Verbs show time using tenses.
| Tense | Example Sentence | Verb Used |
|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | I eat rice. | eat |
| Past Simple | I ate rice. | ate |
| Future Simple | I will eat rice. | will eat |
| Present Continuous | I am eating rice. | am eating |
| Past Perfect | I had eaten rice. | had eaten |
Examples of Verbs in Sentences
| Type | Example Sentence | Verb Highlighted |
|---|---|---|
| Action Verb | She sings beautifully. | sings |
| Linking Verb | The food is delicious. | is |
| Helping Verb | They are studying. | are studying |
| Modal Verb | You should try harder. | should |
| Transitive Verb | He wrote a book. | wrote |
| Intransitive Verb | The baby cried. | cried |
Common Verb Mistakes
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| She go to school. | She goes to school. | Subject-verb agreement |
| He didn’t went home. | He didn’t go home. | Wrong verb form after did |
| She is play football. | She is playing football. | Progressive tense error |
Tips to Master Verbs
- Learn irregular verb lists.
- Practice tenses daily.
- Focus on subject-verb agreement.
- Use phrasal verbs in writing.
- Read books and notice verb usage.
👉 In English grammar, the eight Parts of Speech are Noun, Pronoun, Verb, Adjective, Adverb, Preposition, Conjunction, and Interjection — each playing a unique role in building sentences. To understand them better, explore our detailed guides on every Part of Speech.
Conclusion
Verbs are the backbone of English grammar. They express actions, states, and events, making sentences meaningful. Whether it’s a simple action verb like run, a linking verb like is, or a modal verb like must, mastering verbs improves both writing and speaking skills.
If you want to excel in English, focus on verbs—they are the life force of language.
