UNIT 5 : VERBS

Traditionally verbs have been called ‘doing words’. This is a misleading description because ‘doing’ seems to suggest ‘action’. In fact, verbs do not always suggest action.

In Unit 1, "Parts of Speech", verbs were defined as words that refer to actions or physical states or mental states. Referring to physical or mental states will almost always involve using the verb ‘to be’. This verb takes forms such as:

 
  Present Past
I am was
you (singular) are were
he / she / it is was
we are were
you (plural) are were
they are were

Examples:

Physical state Mental state
I am busy. I am content.
The weather was damp. She is clever.
You were tired. You were angry.
They are beautiful. They are ready.

None of the above examples of verbs involves any action. However, each example is a whole and complete idea and, as such, it is a clause incorporating a subject and a verb. The verbs are the various forms of ‘to be’; the words which follow (‘busy’, ‘content’, etc) are descriptive words.

SUMMARY Examples:
1) Verbs can be actions:

She visits the dentist every six months.

2) Verbs can be states:

 Mental state

She was very nervous last time.

Physical state Her face was set in a grim expression

TASK

Identify the verbs in the following sentences and categorise them as ‘action’ verbs or ‘state’ verbs, physical or mental. Don't forget to click the "Go back" button each time!

  1. The clock hands moved slowly.
  2. The children were very enthusiastic.
  3. He won a medal.
  4. The sunbathers were naked.
  5. They became friendly.
  6. The lion's roar was fierce.

VERBS ARE NOT ALWAYS JUST ONE WORD

All of the sentences in the previous task involved verbs of only one word. Now look at the verbs in the following examples:

  1. His behaviour is very foolish.

  2. He is watching T.V.

  3. He has been watching T.V. for three hours.

  4. By 10 o’clock he will have been watching T.V. for four hours.

  5. He should have been working tonight.

  6. Do you ever watch T.V. when you should be working?

It is clear that verbs can be one word or phrases of several words.

TASK

Identify the verbs in the following sequence. Don't forget to click the "Go back" button each time!

It is graduation day and Fiona is wearing her cap and gown. She should be collecting her certificate after the speeches. She would have been sitting in the audience by now but she tripped over her gown, tore a hole in her dress and is currently busy with a needle and thread.

G.A.P.S. Home Page Grammar Home Page Unit 4 Unit 5b