The English Verb (Part I) – English I – School of Psychology & Social Sciences – Stéfano – UCES

UNIT 5 – THE ENGLISH VERB– THEORY FILE (PART 1+)

5.1 THE INFINITIVE IN ENGLISH

The infinitive with to is called the full infinitive, or the to-infinitive.

- to talk
- to sleep
- to have
- to think
TOP TIP – In a full infinitive verb, the ‘to’ is part of the verb, not a preposition. An infinitive verb is
never conjugated.
Examples:
I want to travel.
I study to graduate.
I am pleased to work here.

The infinitive without 'to' is called the bare infinitive, or the base form of a verb. This is the verb’s
most basic form.
- talk
- sleep
- have
- think
We use them with auxiliary verbs and modal verbs.
Examples:
I can do it!
I will do it!
 The English Verb (Part I) – English I – School of Psychology & Social Sciences – Stéfano – UCES

5.2 THE -ING FORM

We make the -ing form by adding -ing to the base verb and adjusting the spelling as necessary:

• work → working

• sit → sitting

• smoke → smoking

Check the spelling to avoid mistakes.

5.3 THE IMPERATIVE IN ENGLISH

You can watch this video for extra practice.

https://youtu.be/04FEseWTeRA Spanish

https://youtu.be/2UzjHbcK2Wo English
 The English Verb (Part I) – English I – School of Psychology & Social Sciences – Stéfano – UCES

FORMATION

AFFIRMATIVE

The Imperative is formed with the verb without a subject:

Examples:

Be positive!

Turn to page 4, please

NEGATIVE

The Negative Imperative is formed with DO NOT or DON´T and the verb without a subject:

Examples:

Don´t move!

Do not focus on negative thoughts.

USAGE

We use the Imperative for a number of functions:

5.4 TENSES IN ENGLISH

MODAL SIMPLE
VERBS PRESENT

SIMPLE SIMPLE
FUTURE PAST
TENSES IN
ENGLISH l
 The English Verb (Part I) – English I – School of Psychology & Social Sciences – Stéfano – UCES

5.4.1 THE SIMPLE FUTURE TENSE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmK0ICnYTvM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmK0ICnYTvM

FORM

WILL + BASE FORM

_________________________________________
WILL NOT (=WON´T) + BASE FORM
_________________________________________

WILL + PERSON + BASE FORM?

USAGE
The simple future tense is used:

i. To indicate an action in the future

Example: She will monitor the research.

ii. To make a promise

Example: I will be there.

iii. To express a sudden decision

Example: I feel terrible! I will consult a health professional.

iv. To describe future predictions

They will not come tomorrow.

Will you teach when you graduate?

TIME EXPRESSIONS

FUTURE SIMPLE:
TOMORROW
THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW TIME
NEXT WEEK
NEXT YEAR EXPRESSIONS
IN 2030
IN A WEEK’S TIME
PROBABLY
POSSIBLY
 The English Verb (Part I) – English I – School of Psychology & Social Sciences – Stéfano – UCES

5.2 ENGLISH MODALS

Watch this video on the topic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zhn10aHwuo

Modals (also called modal verbs, modal auxiliary verbs) are special verbs which behave irregularly in
English. They give additional information about the function of the main verb that follows it. They have
a great variety of communicative functions.

Here are some characteristics of modal verbs:

▪ They never change their form. You do not add "s", "ed", "ing"...
▪ They are always followed by an infinitive without "to" (e.i. the bare infinitive.)
▪ Speakers use them to express modality or different language functions

Here is a list of the most common modal verbs:

can, may, must, should

Use of modal verbs:

Modal verbs are used to express functions such as:

1. Permission
2. Ability
3. Obligation
4. Prohibition
5. Lack of necessity
6. Advice
7. possibility
8. probability

Let´s concentrate on the following modal verbs:

MODAL VERBS

They are verbs that give additional meaning to the verb

Structure
 The English Verb (Part I) – English I – School of Psychology & Social Sciences – Stéfano – UCES

MODAL VERBS IN SENTENCES

1. It can affect your life, appetite, sleep, work, and relationships.

2. You must consult a health professional.
3. People may feel under pressure.
4. Scientific research must cope with diversity of contexts.
5. You should know how to release your anger.

MODAL VERB TRANSLATION

can affect puede afectar

must consult debe consultar

may feel puede sentirse

must cope with debe contemplar

should know debería conocer