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What is a verb?

Updated: May 5, 2023

This weeks post is another addition to my word class series.


Verbs


'A verb is a word used to describe an action, state or occurrence and forming the main part of the predicate of a sentence, such as hear, become or happen'.


'A verb is a "doing" word' - technically yes, but at the same time, no!


Verbs are essential in every sentence, they provide very important information about the sentence. But of course, when it comes to the English Language, nothing is ever simple...


Verbs don't only describe actions, a verb can add more information to the subject of the sentence.


There are three types of verbs:


Dynamic


Stative


Modal


Dynamic verbs are "doing words". They refer to actions...



'She went for a run'


'The dog chases the cat'


'I jumped on the trampoline'



Stative verbs show your state of being, feeling etc...


'I think that's right'


'I love chocolate'


'I don't remember'



And finally, the verbs you don't realise are verbs...


Modal verbs (also known as auxiliary verbs)


They are essentially there to support other verbs.


Could, would, should


'You should go to work'


'You must wear a hat'


'I could go out'



It doesn't matter if you're not sure which group your verb belongs to, just remember that modal verbs cannot exist on their own.



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