“Run”, “sing”, “is”, “are”, “swam”, “dance”, “eat”, “cry”. These words are examples of verbs. There are a lot of types of verbs and each has its own usage. From linking verbs, irregular verbs, subject verb agreement, verb tenses, to regular verbs. Composing simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences, and even compound complex sentences, you will encounter or use verbs.
What are the kinds of verbs? Let’s have a fun fact here to lighten the mood of learning verbs. Did you know that there are about four kinds of verbs? The four kinds are called linking verbs, the is, are, was, and were verbs. Another is the passive verb, this type of verb is only used when in your sentence, the subject is acting on the verb.
Depending if your sentence is a simple sentence or a complex one. This would also depend on the level of your students when you plan on teaching them the functions of a verb in sentences. So, to keep it going, here are some how’s for you to check out, complete with a few example sentences and their definition.
Linking verbs or helping verbs from the term coining itself link the action to the subject. These verbs are considered helping verbs because when used in simple sentences, they simply help by linking or by pointing out that the subject is doing this or is doing that. To make it even easier, it also helps by answering who is doing the action or what is helping do the action.
Just as linking verbs help, other types of verbs also help out by pointing out the direct object and who or what the sentence is about. Some types of verbs need an extra helping hand than most, while others do not.
Let’s face it, without verbs, our periodic sentences will not make any more sense. Without verbs, our sentences would be all over the place and we would have to find a way to make them more understandable. This is why verbs are very useful when constructing sentences. It helps by making our sentences easier to decipher and it also makes our sentences sound and look good.
For most, a sentence is simply a sentence. Regardless if they are telling us something or not. But for writers, verbs help as they are the heart and soul of the sentences. Verbs help by giving, linking and stating that this part of the sentence is still connected in some way to the other sentence.
Different verbs with different kinds also show different moods to the sentence. This helps let readers understand how to read the sentence in the correct manner.
In simple definition, a verb is an action word. A term that defines the action in the sentence. It is a part of speech that go along with nouns, adjectives, conjunction, pronouns, gerunds, preposition, and prepositional phrase.
The kinds of verbs are: intransitive verbs, transitive verbs, linking/helping verbs, and passive verbs. Intransitive verbs are the verb clauses that can stand alone, while transitive verbs are words or phrases or clauses that need a direct object to help them stand. Linking or helping verbs from the name itself are verbs that help or that link the action to the subject.
So, verbs actually help out by making our sentences sound better in both reading it out loud and when you read it silently. Verbs help by explaining, linking and pinpointing what or who receives the action.
By simply asking a question like who is the action word directed to or what is the action word directed to. You will then know which one is the subject and which one is the verb.
To summarize everything, a verb is an action word. It answers the question who or what is receiving or getting the action. Verbs help by making our sentences feel complete and easy to understand. Verbs have a different role to play, depending on which type of verb you are using. You use verbs in any form of writing, report examples, essay writing, speeches, etc.
