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What Is a Verb?
Verbs are words that show action in a sentence. Just like nouns and adjectives, they’re one of
the eight parts of speech.
A printable chart of the nine types of verbs can help you keep them and their functions
straight.
View & Download PDF
Verbs are the first part of a sentence predicate, and often the first word after a noun or
pronoun. For example:
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1. Action Verbs
Action verbs describe actions that someone can do or demonstrate. Most verbs are action
verbs. Typically, action verbs follow nouns or pronouns in a sentence.
2. Stative Verbs
Stative verbs describe a position or state of being that you can’t see, but exists anyway. While
they don't perform any visible action, notice that they're typically followed by a direct object.
You deserve a prize.
Jane hates humidity.
Henry loves billiards.
I remember you.
3. Regular Verbs
Most verbs are regular verbs — verbs that only add -d or -ed in their past tense form.
4. Irregular Verbs
5. Transitive Verbs
Transitive verbs express an action and are followed by a direct object. They “transfer” their
action to another noun (underlined). Many transitive verbs don’t make sense without an
object.
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6. Intransitive Verbs
Intransitive verbs express an action, but they aren’t followed by an object. However, they can
be followed by a phrase.
Some verbs (such as clean or read) can take transitive or intransitive meanings, depending
on the context in the sentence.
7. Linking Verbs
Linking verbs connect the subject to details about the subject. Various forms of the verb to
be are linking verbs, including am, is, are, and were.
8. Auxiliary Verbs
Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, help the main verb of the sentence (known as
a participle) by extending its meaning. You’ll see them in verb phrases where one verb
doesn’t form a complete thought, or in perfect verb tenses.
I have been there before.
Paul doesn’t know his way home.
He didn’t run for president.
The dogs are playing in the yard.
Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that show possibility or necessity. They always
accompany other action verbs.
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9. Compound Verbs
Compound verbs can be one or two words long, or they can be hyphenated.
Don’t overstay your welcome.
Can you babysit my kids tonight?
Be sure to waterproof your new shoes.
I color-coded my whole file cabinet.
Phrasal verbs are a type of compound verb that end with a preposition. They’re often difficult
to directly translate to different languages because they’re English idioms.