Verbs - Types, Forms & Usage
- Verbs are words that express actions, states or occurrences (e.g.: run, be, happen).
- Every English verb has five basic forms: base, -s form, past, past participle and -ing.
- Verbs also have three moods - indicative (statements), imperative (commands) and subjunctive (hypotheticals).
We use verbs in every sentence we speak - be, have and do are the three most common verbs in the English language.
What is a verb in English?
A verb is a word that describes an action (run, write), a state (be, seem) or an occurrence (happen). Every complete English sentence needs at least one verb.
Examples:
She writes novels.
The film was excellent.
It rained all night.
Verb Forms and Moods
Every English verb has five forms and operates in one of three moods.
The five forms are: base (work), -s form (works), past (worked), past participle (worked) and -ing form (working). The three moods are: indicative (statements), imperative (commands) and subjunctive (hypotheticals).
Incorrect: She go to school every day.
Correct: She goes to school every day.
Forms tell you when and who; moods tell you what kind of sentence.
The Different Kinds of Verbs
| Verb Type | Use | Examples |
| To Be | Links the subject to a state. | am, is, are, was, were |
| Transitive | Takes a direct object. | She ate lunch. |
| Intransitive | Does not take a direct object. | He sleeps. |
| Infinitive | The base form, usually with "to". | to run, to learn |
| Imperative | Gives a command. | Sit down. |
| Subjunctive | Expresses wishes or hypotheticals. | I wish I were taller. |
| Negative | Adds "not" to express negation. | I do not know. |
The Verb "To Be"
The verb to be is the most common and most irregular verb in English. It links the subject to a description, and works as an auxiliary in continuous and passive forms.
| Subject | Present | Past |
|---|---|---|
| I | am | was |
| You / we / they | are | were |
| He / she / it | is | was |
Other forms: been (past participle) and being (-ing form).
Examples:
I am a teacher.
They were at the cinema last night.
She is being very kind today.
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
A transitive verb takes a direct object. An intransitive verb has no object.
- Transitive - She ate lunch.
- Intransitive - He sleeps.
Some verbs work both ways: She sings (intransitive) vs She sings opera (transitive).
Infinitives and Split Infinitives
The infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by to (to run, to learn).
A split infinitive places a word between to and the verb. The famous example is Star Trek's "to boldly go where no one has gone before." Once considered a grammar error, split infinitives are now widely accepted.
Examples:
She wants to learn Spanish.
I plan to quickly review the notes. (split infinitive - acceptable)
The Imperative
The imperative gives commands, instructions or invitations. It uses the base form with no subject - you is understood.
Examples: Sit down. Close the door. Don't worry. Let's go.
The Subjunctive
The subjunctive expresses wishes, demands or hypothetical situations. It often appears after verbs like suggest, demand, insist and recommend.
Examples:
I wish I were taller. (not was)
He suggested that she take the train.
If I were you, I would accept.
Negative Verbs and Double Negatives
To make a verb negative, add not after an auxiliary (do, be, have, will, can). Contractions are common: don't, isn't, won't.
Examples:
I do not know. → I don't know.
She is not here. → She isn't here.
A double negative uses two negatives in the same sentence, cancelling each other out. Standard English avoids them.
Incorrect: I don't know nothing.
Correct: I don't know anything.