In the English language, all sentences and phrases need verbs. Verbs are words that refer to actions (doing things) and to states of being (how things are.) Eating, sleeping, crying, washing, etc. are examples of verbs.
Verbs are critical in grammar, and there are many different types. Because of their ubiquity and importance, it is necessary to learn about some of the common types of verbs.
11 Types of Verbs
1. Action Verbs
Also known as dynamic verbs, action verbs refer to actions. These can be physical actions performed with objects or bodies (hit, sing, make) or mental actions (think, remember, wonder).
Action Verbs in Sentences
- The monkey hit the branch it was sitting on.
- The boy sang a song.
- The book makes us think about the plight of the homeless.
- I wonder why she refused to come to the party.
2. Stative Verbs
Stative verbs refer to conditions or states of being. They are generally used to describe things like states of existence, qualities, emotions, and beliefs. Some verbs, however, can be used as either stative or action verbs, depending on their meaning. Stative verbs are unlikely to be used in continuous verb tenses.
Stative Verbs in Sentences
- I would love to own a Ferrari.
- John wants to take a beach vacation next week.
- The kids definitely resemble their mother.
- Do you own a tuxedo?
3. Transitive Verbs
Transitive verbs express actions that affect the direct object in the sentence. The direct object is the noun, noun phrase, or pronoun that is being acted upon by the subject of the sentence.
Transitive Verbs in Sentences
- My son loves gardening.
- Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa.
- The thieves raided the jewelry store.
- The wind blew the sand in our faces.
4. Intransitive Verbs
Unlike transitive verbs, intransitive verbs are never used with direct objects because they do not require an object to act upon in order to make sense.
Intransitive Verbs in Sentences
- The kids jumped when the ghost appeared suddenly.
- He sang beautifully.
- The moon shone brightly.
- The dog ran as fast as it could.
5. Linking Verbs
Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence with a word that provides information about the subject. They do not convey an action; they merely link the subject with the rest of the sentence.
Linking Verbs in Sentences
- Mary is worried about the test.
- The apple looks rotten.
- He went pale after hearing the news.
- The idea of a picnic on a sunny day sounds good.
6. Auxiliary/Helping Verbs
An auxiliary verb is used with the main verb of a sentence to help express the main verb’s voice, mood, or tense.
The main auxiliary verbs are to be, to have, and to do. These are the forms in which they appear:
- To be: am, is, are, was, were, being, been, will be
- To have: has, have, had, having, will have
- To do: does, do, did, will do
Auxiliary Verbs in Sentences
- He is a famous concert pianist who has performed all over the world.
- My dog is certainly not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
- The pie was eaten and appreciated by the family.
- It does pay to be kind.
7. Modal Verbs
A modal verb is a type of auxiliary verb that expresses ability, possibility, obligation, or permission. Semi-modals, also known as modal phrases, are a combination of auxiliary verbs and the preposition to and are used to express the same things as modals.
Here is a list of modals and semi-modals:
- Can/could/be able to
- May/might
- Shall/should
- Must/have to
- Will/would
Modals and Semi-Modals in Sentences
- You may play once you finish your homework.
- I would sleep all day if I could.
- You must add two eggs for the omelet.
- Paul should be more careful with his money.
8. Regular Verbs
Regular verbs are verbs whose simple past tense and past participle forms are constructed by adding the suffix “d” or “ed” or changing it to the “t” form. For most regular verbs, this is the only change that occurs in their spellings.
Regular Verbs in Sentences
- I tried to sleep, but the dog’s barking kept me awake.
- She lent him some money to buy new clothes.
- John looked around but couldn’t see a thing.
- He was so tired that he slept all night.
9. Irregular Verbs
Unlike their regular counterparts, irregular verbs do not follow spelling rules in order to construct their simple past tense or past participle forms. The only way to learn how to spell them is to memorize the simple past tense or past participle forms for each irregular verb.
Irregular Verbs in Sentences
- I took a cookie from the jar.
- She was the type who knew the price of everything but the value of nothing.
- He rode shotgun with me in the car.
- We swam in the river all summer.
10. Phrasal Verbs
A phrasal verb is a phrase consisting of a verb and a preposition and/or an adverb. Phrasal verbs convey different meanings depending on the combination of words used. For example:
- Verb + adverb – Example: Look up
- Verb + preposition – Example: Look after
- Verb + adverb + preposition – Example: Look forward to
The entire combination acts as a verb and does not mean the same as the original verb. Look up, look after, and look forward to, for example, do not mean the same as look.
Phrasal Verbs in Sentences
- They had to put off the wedding for a few months.
- We ran out of gas last night.
- My mother will look after the kids when I’m away.
- I intend to get up early tomorrow morning.
11. Infinitives
Infinitives are verbs that function as nouns, adverbs, or adjectives in order to act as the purpose of an object or action, to express an opinion, or to answer questions such as who, why, or what. Most infinitives consist of to + the base form of the verb.
Infinitives in Sentences
- He loves to eat.
- To be a good human being is very important.
- I really need to go now.
- Ron left the hospital to finish his convalescence at home.
Understanding the different types of verbs is crucial as it helps writers ensure they use the correct ones in the right context.Â
