Verbs

 
Verbs are the action words in a sentence that describe what the subject is doing
 
  There are three types of verbs:  
   
(a) Stative verbs
(b) Auxiliary verbs 
(c) Irregular verbs
 
     

 

6.1  Stative Verbs
 
  Stative verbs  
  Verbs express a state which is usually related to thoughts, emotions, relationships, senses, states of being, and measurements. They are used in the simple present tense.   
     

 

Example of stative verbs:
 
STATIVE VERBS EXAMPLES
Verbs of emotion hope, need, want
Verbs of senses feel, hear, see
Verbs that express a state of mind believe, remember, imagine
Verbs of possession belong to, have
Other verbs be, cost, contain

 

Example of sentences:

(a) He surprised me with tickets to New York.

(b) The beach smells terrible at low tide.

(c) You don't remember me, but we've met previously.

 
6.2  Auxiliary Verbs
 
Auxiliary verbs are helping verbs
 
  Present Tense Past tense
Verbs 'to be' am/is, are was,were
Verbs 'to have' has, have  had
Verbs 'to do' does, do  did
 

Example of sentences:

(a) I am going to make a trip to South Africa.

(b) He is doing it for fixing a date for them.

(c) Recently he has heard that a restaurant is offering a good deal for couples.

 
6.3  Irregular Verbs
 
Infinitive Simple Past Past Participle
speak spoke spoken
bite bit bitten
know knew known
drink drank drunk
understand understood understood

 

Example of sentences:

(a) My dog jumped out of the swimming pool and shook himself, causing water to spray everywhere.

(b) You should have seen Amy’s face when she got her surprise. 

(c) David intentionally stuck gum in Jeff’s hair.