What is Verb? Definition, Types and Examples
1. A Verb can be defined as :
A Verb is a word that denotes an action or being or possession.
Read the following sentences:
1. Mary put the cups on the table. (action)
2. The bowler sends the ball to the batsman. (action)
3. This river is quite shallow. (being)
4. Shakespeare was the greatest dramatist. (being)
5. The nightingale has a sweet voice. (possession)
6. These bungalows have beautiful flower gardens. (possession)
In sentence 1, put is a doing word. It tells us what Mary did with the cups. She put them on the table.
In sentence 2, sends is a doing word. It tells us what the bowler does with the ball. He sends it to the batsman.
Such doing words or action-words are called Verbs in Grammar.
In sentence 3, 'is' is a being word. It tells us about the river being quite shallow (= not deep).
In sentence 4. was is a being word. It tells about Shakespeare being the greatest dramatist.
Such being words are called Verbs.
In sentence 5, has shows possession. It tells about the nightingale. The nightingale has a sweet voice.
In sentence 6, have shows possession. It tells about the bungalows. The bungalows have beautiful flower gardens.
The words which show possession are also called Verbs.
2. Object of the Verb
Look at these sentences and questions that follow :
1. The hunter killed the lion.
killed what? - the lion.
The lion is the Object of the Verb killed.
2. The chair needs repairs.
needs what? - repairs.
Repairs is the Object of the Verb needs.
3. He helps the poor.
helps whom? - the poor.
The poor is the Object of the Verb helps.
4. My mother loves me.
loves whom? - me.
Me is the Object of the Verb loves.
If we frame a question using the Verb and the word what or whom, the word that answers the question is the Object of the Verb.
3. Kinds of Verbs
Transitive, Intransitive and Auxiliary Verbs
Note the use of Verbs in the following sentences:
1. The woman filled the pail with water.
2. The soldiers fired their guns.
3. He kneeled to pray.
4. People crowded to see he king.
5. Gas and coal are fuels.
6. He is a good runner.
7. That dog looks dangerous.
8. You appear well today.
In sentences 1 and 2, the words filled and fired are the examples of Transitive Verbs.
The woman filled - what?
The answer is : pail.
(Pail is the Object of the verb filled.)
The soldiers fired - what?
The answer is : guns.
(Guns is the Object of the Verb fired)
Thus filled and fired are such words as require an Object to make the sense complete. Such Verbs are called Transitive Verbs.
A Verb that requires an Object to complete its meaning (sense) is called a Transitive Verb.
In sentences 3 and 4 kneeled and crowded do not require an object to make the sense complete. We don't ask the question he kneeled ... what? or people crowded ... what? Such Verbs are called Intransitive Verbs.
A Verb that does not require an Object to make sense but makes good sense by itself it called an Intransitive Verb.
4. Auxiliary Verbs
An auxiliary Verb is a Helping verb. Auxiliary Verbs are twenty-four in number.
They are:
is, am, are, was, were(to be) do, does, did (to do), have, has, had (to have) shall, will, should, would, can, could, may, might, must, ought to, need, dare, used to (Modal Auxiliaries)
a. Auxiliary Verbs:
1. help us in forming questions by inversion.
2. are necessary to form negatives.
3. are used in short answers.
4. are necessary for forming question tags.
5. are used for saying something with emphasis.
b. The 'to be' Verbs are used in
1. forming Continuous Tense Forms
2. The Passive Voice
3. The 'to be' Verbs are also used as Main Verbs.
4. The 'To do' Verbs are also used as Main Verbs.
5. The 'To have' Verbs are used in forming Perfect Tense Forms.
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