1. Verbs

2. The verb The verb is the engine of the sentence
A verb is a word or group of words which denote some action or state
In English, the form of the verb varies according to:
Person (first, second, third)
Number (singular, plural)
Tense (past or present)
Aspect (progressive (-ing; to be) or perfective (have))
Voice (active or passive)
Eg: He drives a car (3rd person, singular, present tense)
I drove a car (1st person, singular, past tense)

3. If we omit the verb of any sentence, it is hard to understand.
Eg: Lucy is a teacher. (Lucy a teacher).
Here we see that a verb is not always a doing word.

4. Finite verbs have a definite relation with the subject.
FINITE VERB = a verb which has a subject, and shows number and tense. It does not always need an auxiliary verb.
Finite verbs have a definite relation with the subject.
It must have a subject, number and tense.
Eg: I cook the evening meal.
She plays.
They argue.

5. Non-finite verbs The infinitive should not be split:
= a verb that does not show tense, subject or number.
These verbs may have other forms – infinitive; or participles
The infinitive = when a verb is preceded by a ‘to’
It must be preceded by a finite verb: She wants to discuss
Eg: I tried to study (infinitive)
The infinitive should not be split:
Eg: I am going to definitely complete my work  wrong
I am definitely going to complete my work  correct

6. Examples of non-finite verbs
Sit over there
Sit= non-finite verb because it has no subject, number or tense.
I want to go there.
to go = non-finite verb because it is an infinitive

7. Auxiliary verbs A helping verb
Most common: be, do , have, will, am, are, can , could
Always comes before the verb
Regulates the tense of the verb: Eg: She will do her work (future tense). She had done her work (past tense).
An auxiliary verb can consist of more than one word – eg: had been, will have been.

8. Participles Two types: past and present.
Past participles: Help to make the past tense of the verb and usually end in ed.
Eg: giggled; helped; jumped
Present participles: State the continuous nature of the action and usually end in –ing
Eg: giggling; helping; jumping