Sunday, September 23, 2012

Verbs





Verbs are the words that tell actions or states of being. For examples,
  • I read a book. [ "read" shows the action. ]
  • They are playing football. [ "are playing" shows action.]
  • He looks happy. ["look" shows state of being happy. ]
  • Mary is beautiful. [ "Mary" shows state of being beautiful] 

TYPES OF VERBS


 There are two main types of verbs: action verbs (verbs that show the actions), state verbs (verbs that shows state of being or link subject and predicate).


1. Actions verbs

Action verbs, also called dynamic verbs, show actions or performance of actions such as hit, walk, explode, write, fight, teach, run, …

 For examples,
  • He walks to school everyday.
  • She eats ice cream. 

2. State verbs

State verbs, also called linking verbs, show state of being rather than actions. They link the subject (noun phrase) of the sentence with the rest of the sentence. They show the state of being, emotion, the senses, thoughts, measurement, and possession; as, appear*, be*, equal, exist, look*, look like*, resemble, seem, sound, appreciate, amaze, astonish, care, dislike, envy, fear, hate, like, love, mind, please, prefer, feel* , hear , see* , smell* , taste*, believe, desire, know, remember, cost*, weigh*, pay, belong, have*, own, owe, possess, consist of, include*, contain …

For examples,
  • He looks tired.
  • They own a house.

PROPERTIES OF VERBS


 There are five properties of verbs: persons, numbers, tenses, voices, and moods.

1. Persons

Person shows the identity of subjects, which are:
  • First persons -- the ones speaking (I, We)
  • Second persons -- the ones being spoken to (You)
  • Third persons -- the ones being spoken about (He, She, It, They)

2. Numbers

Numbers tell whether the verbs agree with their subjects, i.e.
  • Singular verbs -- used when the subjects are singular.
  • Plural verbs -- used when the subjects are plural.

3. Tenses

Tenses show the relationship between the time and aspects of the actions or states.
  • Time -- past, present, future
  • Aspects -- simple, continuous, perfect simple, perfect continuous
Thus, the combinations of times and aspects form 12 tenses below--

4. Voices

Voices show who or what does the action, and who or what receives the action.
  • Active voice -- the subject acts or does the action.
  • Passive voice -- the subject is acted upon or receives the action.

5. Moods

Mood shows the mode or manner in which a thought is expressed. It tells a reader whether a sentence is a statement, a question, a request, or a wish.

Indicative mood --

It tells whether the sentence is presented as a statement (positive or negative), or a question. For examples,
  • What do you do?
  • I am a student.
  • She doesn't work in a bank.

Imperative mood --

It tells whether the sentence is presented a command, order, or request. For examples,
  • Open the door, please!
  • Review your lessons.

Subjunctive mood --

It tells whether the sentence is presented as a desire or condition contrary to the fact. For examples,
  • I suggested that you read the book.
  • She recommended that we discuss the problems again.
  • If you were rich, what would you do?
  • He acts as if he were a technician.

ROLES OF VERBS IN SENTENCE

Verbs can be divided according to the job they do in a sentence.

1. Finite verbs

Finite verb is a verb form that distinguishes person, number, and tense, and also mood or voice.

Transitive verbs

Transitive verb is the verbs that needs object, like eat, write, drink, phone.... For examples,
  • He wrote a letter.
  • She does her homework.

Intransitive verbs

Transitive verb is the verbs that does not need object, like smile, run, laugh, cry.... For examples,
  • The baby smiled at us.
  • He runs so quick.

Linking verbs

Linking verbs (also called copula verbs or state verbs) are verbs that do not show action. They link the subjects to the complement. (Please see the state verbs above.)

2. Non-finite verbs

a verb form that does not indicate person or number; they (also called verbals) are gerund, infinitive, and participles.

Infinitives

Infinitive is a verb form (to + verb) that functions as a noun. For examples,
  • To understand the lessons is a lot better than to remember.
  • To forgive is the best form of revenge.

Gerunds

Gerund is a verb form (verb-ing) that functions as a noun. For examples,
  • Trying hard is a great value.
  • Swimming is my favourite.

Participles

Participle is a verb form (either ends in -ed or -ing) that functions as an adjective or complement. For examples,
  • The book is interesting.
  • He is interested in it.

3. Helping verbs

a word used in construction with and preceding certain forms of other verbs, as infinitives or participles, to express distinctions of tense, aspect, mood.

Primary auxiliary verbs

Primary auxiliary verbs are BE, HAVE, and DO. For examples,
  • She is playing piano. ["is" is auxiliary verb helping to create present continuous .]
  • The bridge was being built. ["was" is auxiliary verb helping to create past continuous passive.]
  • He has studied there for 3 years. ["has" is auxiliary verb helping to create present perfect.]
  • Have you ever been abroad? ["have" is auxiliary verb helping to create present perfect question.]
  • Do you like coffee? ["do" is auxiliary verb helping to create present simple question.]
  • He didn't finish his homework. ["did" is auxiliary verb helping to create past simple.]

Semi-modal auxiliary verbs

Semi-modal auxiliary verbs are NEED, DARE, and USED TO. For examples,
  • He used to smoke a lot.
  • She used to be a teacher.
  • He need not take his car.
  • They need not buy this dress.
  • How dare you talk to your boss like that!
  • She dare not discuss with her father.

Modal verbs

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that are used to express modality. They are: CAN, COULD, MAY, MIGHT, SHALL, SHOULD, OUGHT TO, WILL, WOULD, and MUST. For examples,
  • Can you speak English? [ability]
  • May I open the window? [permission]
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