Grammar – Verbs in English, Verb Words Worksheet #2

Verbs can be expressed as words that indicate an action in a sentence. The words denoting all kinds of movements, situations, occurrences, and actions in which beings are within the scope of a time and place are called verbs.

How to know if a word is a verb?

In order to distinguish the verbs, you need to pay attention to the following points.

⇒ In order for a word to be a verb, it should be made into a gerund or infinitive. For example, you can’t use the word ‘car’ as ‘to car’ or ‘caring’. So, it is not a verb. 

⇒ Verbs can be made negative. 

Verbs can be defined as words that express action, and they can be classified into groups in terms of various points.

Verbs According to Their Meanings

Verbs are divided into different categories according to many features. According to their content, namely their meanings, we can examine the verbs under three headings: action, linking and helping verbs.

1) Action Verbs

Verbs that describe an observable action. There is a subject doing this action (work) and an object affected by it. Action verbs are divided into two as transitive and intransitive verbs, depending on whether the effect of the action is transferred to the object or belongs directly to the subject.

Examples:

She climbs the tree easily.

I’m taking notes.

He runs around the football field every morning.

2) Linking Verbs

 Linking verbs, or copular verbs, are verbs that are denoted by adjectives, not adverbs. These are the verbs to be, become, look, taste, seem, sound, get, smell, appear, grow, keep, remain, stay, turn and feel. The verb ‘to be’ is the most frequently used linking verb.

Examples:

These students are successful.

You look tired.

This show appears to be magnificent.

3) Helping Verbs

Helping (Auxiliary) verbs add more meaning to your sentences and allow you to express more complex thoughts. They are placed next to other verbs to add a new meaning to the sentence. For example, they can change the tense of the main verb or express something like possibility, permission, or necessity.

Common helping verbs are: can, could, should, may, might, shall, will, and must.

Examples:

I will sing this song just for you.

He can make yummy cakes.

You must obey the rules.