Verbs

 

A part of speech which conveys:

  1. Actions (read, sing, dance, cook)
  2. State of being (sleep, breathe)
 
  Transitive verbs  
     
 

Verbs that require one or more objects.

 
 

Examples: She reads the book. (Reads is the verb, book is the object)

He announces his arrival. (Announces is the verb, arrival is the object)

Can be categorized into two types:

1. Monotransitive: requires exactly one object

Example: She recites a poem.

2. Ditransitive: may require two objects, a direct object an indirect object

Example: He offered his friend (first object) the job (second object)

 
     

 

  Intransitive verbs  
     
 

In contrast to transitive verbs, intransitive verbs do not require objects.

 
 

Examples: They run.

The dog swims.

The verbs run and swims have no objects therefore, they are intransitive.

 
     

 

  Auxiliary verbs  
     
 

Known as function verbs or helping verbs.

 
 

Examples:

  • I am writing an essay.
  • He is helping his dad.
  • We will attend the meeting shortly.
  • They are singing in a choir.
  • He has repeated himself 10 times.
  • Do you like fruits?
  • You must go there.
  • Could you kindly open the door for me?
 
     

List of auxiliary verbs:

  • Be verbs (amareiswaswerebeing),
  • can,
  • could,
  • do (diddoesdoing),
  • have (hadhashaving),
  • may,
  • might,
  • must,
  • shall,
  • should,
  • will,
  • would

**Note: Whichever that is not in the list is not an auxiliary verb. They are known as full verbs.

 

 

  Causative verbs  
     
 

One person or thing causes another person or thing to do something or be something.

 
 

Examples:

1. Have (give someone responsibility to do something)

I had my mother cut my hair.

2. Make (force someone to do something)

The teacher made us work in groups.

3. Get (convince or trick someone into doing something)

I got him to buy me the chocolates.

4. Let (allow someone to do something)

My parents let me travel overseas.

Other causative verbs include: allow, help, enable, persuade, force, keep, require, hold