Verbs SUTHERLAND HIGH SCHOOL

A verb is a ‘doing’ or an ‘action’ words Verbs A verb is a word that shows actions or links a subject to another word in a sentence. A verb is a ‘doing’ or an ‘action’ words

1. THE THREE TENSES Present, past and future The tense tells when the action takes place. Present (today) Verb I paint a picture. Past (yesterday) Verb + ed I painted a picture. Future (tomorrow) Will/shall + verb I shall paint a picture.

SIMPLE, CONTINUOUS & PERFECT TENSES (generally) (at the moment/ongoing) (already completed) PRESENT I drive. I am driving. I have driven. PAST I drove. I was driving. I had driven. TENSES I shall drive. I shall be driving. I shall have driven. The meaning of each tense is subtly different: I shall drive to the coast tomorrow. (future simple tense) I shall be driving to the coast tomorrow. (future continuous tense) I shall have driven to the coast by this time tomorrow. (future perfect tense)

2. FINITE VERBS A finite verb is a form of a verb that has a subject (expressed or implied) and can function as the root of an independent clause; an independent clause can, in turn, stand alone as a complete sentence. A sentence does not make sense without a finite verb. A finite verb gives meaning to a sentence.

Finite verbs must agree with the number and person of its subject. Example: I love food. The “I” agrees with the word “love.” Kevin loves food. The word “Kevin” agrees with the word “loves.”

If the tense of the sentence changes, then the form of the verb also changes. Such a verb is a finite verb. Example: He works at the photo shop. (Simple present tense) He worked at the photo shop. (Simple past tense)

3. INFINITE / NON-FINITE A non-finite verb is any of several verb forms that are not finite verbs; that is, they cannot serve as the root of an independent clause. When a verb is preceded by a to, it is known as the infinitive: to play to argue to study to discuss

The infinitive should not be split: The infinitive cannot stand alone. It must be preceded by a finite verb. She wants to discuss… They start to argue. We tried to argue. We tried to study The infinitive should not be split: I am going to definitely complete my work tomorrow. X I am definitely going to complete my work tomorrow. √

4. AUXILIARY VERBS An auxiliary verb is an helping verb. It helps the main verb express tense and voice. It is followed by an action verb. They assist the main verb. Also know as HELPING VERBS.

Depending on the sentence, the verb may be classified as a finite or an auxiliary verb: He is the president of his company. (finite verb) He is hoping to become the president of his company. ( auxiliary verb + present participle)

5. THE LINKING VERB – THE VERB ‘TO BE’ The verb ‘to be’ (is, am, are) is also referred to as the linking verb. A linking verb connects a noun with another noun, or a noun with an adjective. The man is a soldier. (noun) The man is brave. (adjective)

EXAMPLES OF LINKING VERBS Linking verbs include the forms of the verb to be is, am , was, were, are, be, being, been Linking verbs are also related to the senses tastes, smells, looks, feels, sounds, seems, and more

Mr. Childers is the nicest teacher in the school. EXAMPLE Mr. Childers is the subject Mr. Childers is the nicest teacher in the school. Here is the linking verb

6. TRANSITIVE AND INTRANSITIVE VERBS The batter hit the ball. Transitive verbs are action verbs that have an object to receive that action. In the first sentence above, the direct object ‘ball’ received the action of the verb ‘hit’. Here are some more examples of transitive verbs: I baked some cookies. I rode the bicycle. I moved the chair. All of the verbs in the above sentences are transitive because an object is receiving the action of the verb.

??? But what about the sentence “The bird sang.” Is the verb in that sentence a transitive verb? No, in this case the verb sang is an intransitive verb.

INTRANSITIVE VERBS “The bird sang.” Intransitive verbs are action verbs but unlike transitive verbs, they do not have an object receiving the action. Notice there are no words after the verb sang. More examples of intransitive verbs: I laughed. I cried. The book fell. The horse galloped. The sun set. In all of the above cases the subject is performing the action of the verb and nothing is receiving the action.

7. MOODS OF THE VERB The mood of the verb indicates the speaker’s intention or attitude. There are three main moods: 1. Indicative- this verb is used to express a fact or provide information. 2. imperative- this verb is used to express instructions or commands. 3. Subjective- this verb is used when something is unlikely or to express a wish, doubt or uncertainty.

8. PARTICIPLES Participles are formed when we combine an auxiliary verb and a finite verb + ing or ed. E.g. Clouds had formed before the storm. The participle cannot stand alone: The tap leaking. X The tap is leaking.

PRESENT / PAST PARTICIPLES Present Participle- They state the continuous nature of the action and usually end in ing. E.g. He reads. He is reading… He was reading… He will be reading… Past Participle- They help to make the past tense of a verb and usually end in ed, d, en or n. They follow verbs such as has, had, have, was and were to form new tenses: The present was given to the child.