Verb Types

There are different

types of verbs in
English.
They determine the
elements we find inside
the predicate.

Types of verbs:
Linking verbs.
Intransitive verbs.
Transitive verbs.

Linking Verbs
They are also called
copular
verbsare
or followed
copulas. by a
They
Subject Complement or
an

Lisa is a beautiful girl.

S LV

SC

Lisa is in her bedroom.

S LV

A (where?)

An Adjunct indicates the

where, when, why and how
in a sentence.
Some linking verbs are be,
taste, seem, become, keep,
go, run, look, smell, appear,
grow, turn, remain, feel,
sound, get, stay, prove,
resemble, lie.

Intransitive Verbs
They do not need an
Object.
They can be followed
by an
Adjunct.

The sun shines.

S

IV

He went to England last year.

S IV A (where?) A(when?)

Transitive Verbs
They take an Object.
They can be of three
types:
Monotransitive,
Ditransitive
or Complex-transitive.

Monotransitive Verbs
They take one object:
the
DirectObject.
The police caught the thief.
S

MTV

DO

Ditransitive Verbs
They take two objects:
the
Indirect Object and the
Direct
Object.
I sent my parents a letter.

S DTV

IO

DO

Complex-transitive Verbs
They take an Object +
an
Object Complement.
They can also take an
Object + Adjunct.

They called their son Peter.

S

CXTV

DO

OC

They appointed Sarah secretary

S CXTV

DO

OC

because she was well-prepared.

A (reason)

Many verbs in English can be

used either transitively or
intransitively.

I drive.

I drive a car.

S IV

S MTV DO

He plays.

He plays tennis.
S MTV DO

IV

Some verbs in English can be

very versatile.

Linking Verb
He got angry.
S LV

SC

Intransitive
He
got through the window.
Verb
S IV

A (how?)

Transitive Verb
He got a surprise.
S MTV

DO

He got her a present.

S DTV IO

DO

He got his socks and shoes wet.

S

CXTV

DO

OC