Verb
Students often find it easy to understand the basic definition of a Verb. However, exams like Bank and Insurance Exams like IBPS PO, CLERK SO, SSC, CDS, RRB and Defence Exams require a deeper understanding of the verb. A candidate must understand the different types of English verbs and how to use them effectively in a sentence. This understanding is important in understanding the Tenses. When it comes to General English papers, a candidate can easily solve Error Spotting and Filler tests as many questions are based on use of Verb and Types of Verb. So, here is a complete guide. By the end of this, you can solve any question related to Verbs.
What are Verbs?
A verb is an action word or group of words. It is used to indicate the action done by the subject or doer or actor mentioned within a sentence. A verb can also showcase ‘possession’ or ‘being’.
Examples of English Verbs:
- I am going to the library.
- She was excited about the film.
- She works well.
- They maintain themselves.
- Let’s drop by at grand ma’s place!
- He is returning home after a long time.
Types of English Verbs
There are different types of verbs in generative grammar. A sentence can contain a single verb or a combination of auxiliary and main verb.
Main Verb:
The main verb is the action done by or on the subject of the verb. Action words are easy to identify. You need to ask the question ‘What is the subject doing?‘
Example:
- Richa is playing badminton.
Ask the question ‘What is Richa doing?’ the answer is “playing”- Verb.There are three types of the Main Verb:
- Transitive Verb & Intransitive Verb
- Regular Verb & Irregular Verb
- Finite Verb & Non-Finite Verb
Let’s go through each of them one by one.
Transitive Verb & Intransitive Verb
Transitive Verb: This kind of the main verb requires an object on which the action takes place. Here the object is not the verb but the action is.
Intransitive Verb: This kind is the opposite of the Transitive Verb. It doesn’t have an object of the action.
Example:
- I am painting.
In this sentence, there is an action being done but there is no mention of the object on which the action is being done. Hence, here the Verb painting is intransitive in nature.
- I am painting the car.
Unlike the above statement, this sentence has a definite object on which the action takes place. Hence, here the Verb painting is transitive in nature.
How to Identify a Transitive Verb?
A transitive verb is one that only makes sense if it exerts its action on an object. The effect of the transitive verbs can be directly seen on the object. For eg: Kick, throw, pat, give.
How to Identify an Intransitive Verb?
An intransitive verb does not allow a direct object. This is a distinction from a transitive verb, which takes one or more objects. The verb property is called transitivity. Intransitive verbs are often identified as those that can’t be followed by who or what. For eg: Arrive, Smile, Cry, Die, Happen, Occur, Grow, Develop.
Regular Verb & Irregular Verb
Regular Verb: Regular verbs are those whose conjugation follows the typical pattern, or one of the typical patterns, of the language to which it belongs. They form their inflected parts by adding the typical endings -s, -ing and -ed to give forms such as plays, entering, and liked. For eg: verbs such as play, enter, and like are regular
Irregular Verbs: Irregular verbs are the ones in which the past tense is not formed by adding the usual ‘-ed’ ending. Examples of irregular verbs are sing (sang), feel (felt), and go (went).
Example:
- I was singing a song yesterday. Here the verb singing has a regular -ing form.
- I went to a party yesterday. Here the verb went has an irregular form.
How to Identify a Regular Verb?
A regular verb will have a form that can be applied to other verbs in present, past, perfect and continuous tense.
Present | Past | Perfect | Continuous |
work | worked | worked | working |
walk | walked | walked | walking |
How to Identify an Irregular Verb?
An irregular verb has a different form in a different tense that is unique to itself.
Present | Past | Perfect | Continuous |
go | went | gone | going |
bite | bit | bitten | biting |
Finite Verb & Non-Finite Verb
Finite Verb: A finite verb is limited by the actor or a number. It is limited or bounded. It changes its form according to the tense. The structural form of finite V3 form:
Example:
- Ram has written a letter.
- She gave a written statement before the judge.
Non-Finite Verb: An infinite verb is unlimited and unbounded. It is opposite to a finite verb.
Example:
- I suspect it was him. Here, “suspect” is limited. It is limited by person and tense.
- I want to achieve success. Here, “achieve” is independent of person and tense.
How to Identify a Finite Verb?
Rule #1 A finite verb is controlled by the no. of subjects if the subject is singular, the verb will be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb will be plural.
Example:
- The girl runs slowly. (Subject is singular)
- The girls run slowly. (Subject is plural)
Rule #2 A finite verb is controlled by the person.
Example:
- I visit my grandparents at least once a month. (I – First Person)
- She visits her grandparents at least once a month. (She – Third Person)
Rule #3 A finite verb is controlled by the tense. It can be in the past, present or future tense.
Example:
- Mary studies Spanish. (Present Tense)
- Mary will study Spanish. (Future Tense)
How to Identify a Non-Finite Verb?
Types of Non-Finite Verb
The Non-Finite or Infinite Verb is divided into the following types.
Infinitives: Infinitives are the root verbs. They can be a ‘to infinitive’ like to eat or ‘bare infinitive’ like shall.
Participles:
- Present Participle: -ing form
- Past Participle: completed action.
- Perfect Participle: having + V4
Gerund: The gerunds are participle verbs working as a noun. They are just as same as a present participle in its form but it is used with a different cause.
Rule #1: Bare infinitive with (infinitive without ‘to’) some modals We, cannot use ‘to+V1’ form with modals. Modals are written without ‘to’.
Example:
- They can do the job. (Case of Bare infinitive)
- He shall come today. (Case of Bare infinitive)
Exception: Full infinitive (infinitive with ‘to’) is used with these two modals We use ‘to+V1’ with these two modals.
- Ought to
- Have to
Example:
- You ought to obey the rules.
- You have to study hard..
Rule #2: To is the only preposition that takes the base form of the verb. However, there are some phrases with to being at the end of them, which require the gerund form of the verbs.
Example:
- My kids volunteered to make cup cakes for the bake sale.
- Clara’s eagerness to volunteering is a surprise at her age.
Rule #3: To be, being, having, getting, etc. are generally followed by the past participle form of the verbs and other adjectives.
Example:
- Being sick, he took a day off from work.
- The kid felt happy, having eaten a burger.
Rule #4: Usage of used to/ accustomed to/ addicted to/ habituated to: used to/ accustomed to/ addicted to/ habituated to + V4
Example:
- She is addicted to using social media till late night
- My brother is accustomed to going for a walk everyday.
Rule #5: With these words to + V1 is always used Try, refuse, proceed, plan, neglect, hesitate, begin, manage, learn, forget, etc.
Example:
- The kid hesitates to speak in front of the entire school
- My mother refused me to talk to her.
Rule #6: Gerund form is always used after possessive pronouns like (my, mine, his, her, your, our, etc.
Example:
- Father is very upset about my failing in the entrance.
Points to Remember While Using the Main Verb:
- The base form of the verb is also used in the clauses that use the subjunctive mood. Some certain verbs + the conjunction that requires the next clause to use the subjunctive mood and the clause uses the base form of the verb in it.
advise, demand, prefer, require, ask, insist, propose, stipulate, command, recommend, suggest, decree, order, request, urge, move Subject + the verbs of the above list (any tense) + THAT + subject + base verb
Example:
- The manager requires that we complete our project timely.
- The board commanded that he should stop making excuses for the losses.
- The verbs are compulsorily followed by the subjects. They must agree with the subjects according to their number and person.
Singular Subject = Singular Verb Plural Subject = Plural Verb
Example:
- A boy plays Football.
- The boys play Football.
Auxiliary Verb
What is an Auxiliary Verb?
An auxiliary verb (abbreviated aux) is a verb that adds functional or grammatical meaning to the clause in which it appears, so as to express tense, aspect, modality, voice, emphasis, etc. Auxiliary verbs usually accompany the main verb. The main verb provides the main semantic content of the clause.
Example: I have finished my lunch.
Here, the main verb is “finished”, and the auxiliary “have” helps to express the perfect aspect. Some sentences contain a chain of two or more auxiliary verbs.
What is a Modal Auxiliary Verb?
Modals or Modal Verbs or Modal Auxiliary are used to show the mood or attitude of the subject. They are the verbs that are used to indicate modality. Such as likelihood, ability, permission, request, capacity, suggestions, order, obligation, or advice. Modal verbs always accompany the base (infinitive) form of another verb having semantic content. Modals are the type of auxiliary expressing the subject’s mood. They give information about the function of the main verb. In English, the modal verbs commonly used are can, could, may, might, must, will, would, shall, should, ought to, had better, “have to” and sometimes need or dare.
Modal Verb | Must | Shall | Will | Can | May |
Modal + ed | – | Should | Would | Could | Might |
Full negative forms | Must not – | Shall not Should not | Will not Would not | Cannot Could not | May not Might not |
Short Negative forms | Mustn’t – | Shan’t Shouldn’t | Won’t Wouldn’t | Can’t Couldn’t | – Mightn’t |
Different Kinds of Modals and their Usage:
Modals | Usage |
Can, Could, May | Permission |
Can, Could, be able to | past ability, power and capacity, remote possibility, formal request |
May, Might, Can, Could | Possibility |
Should | show assistance or polite suggestion, give advice, |
Would | Request |
Ought to, Must, have to, had to, have got to, will have to | Necessity, Compulsion |
Ought not to, Must not, | Prohibition |
Dare | challenge or courage |
Need to | requirements |
Used to | past habits, habitual action |
Common Rules for using Modals
Rule #1: Forming questions with Modals
We form questions by inverting the modal verb and the subject. We do not use auxiliaries to do so.
Example:
- Should I go to bed now?
- Must we do the work in excel?
Rule #2: Forming negatives by adding ‘NOT’
We form negative sentences by adding ‘NOT’. We do not add auxiliaries.
Example:
- Must we not do the work in excel?
- Should I not go to bed now?
- You must not be jealous of other’s progress.
- I cannot leave the place before being informed.
Rule #3: Interrogatives with Modals Modals can be used in tag/ interrogative sentences.
Example:
- You are not supposed to leave the place, are you?
- You can drive the car, can’t you?
Rule #4: Modals and Tenses Modals do not exist in all tenses. They are only in Simple tenses.
Example:
- The train might be at the station (Past tense)
- The train might arrive late (Future tense)
Rule #5: Forms of Modals There are perfect forms and continuous forms of Modals. The perfect form: (Modal + have + V3) The continuous form: (Modals + be + ing)
Example:
- You could have done better.
- You will be appearing for the examination soon.
Common Mistake while using Modals
We cannot place one modal after the other. The sequence will be grammatically wrong.
Example:
- She must can do it. —WRONG
- She must do it. —CORRECT
- She can do it.—CORRECT
Points to Remember While Using Modals
- Modals never change their form. We cannot add ‘s’, ‘ed’, ‘ing’ after them.
- Modals are always followed by the bare infinitive without to.
Hope this article helped you to understand Verbs and it’s types completely. Do try our Itselfu RBI Grade'B'App to get more practice to clear all your doubts. It’s absolutely free!
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