What Is a Verb

What is a Verb?The verb is perhaps the most important part of the sentence. A verb or compound verb asserts something about the subject of the sentence and express actions, events, or states of being. The verb or compound verb is the critical element of the predicate of a sentence.In each of the following sentences, the verb or compound verb is in bold:Dracula bites his victims on the neck. The verb “bites'' describes the action Dracula takes.In early October, Giselle will plant twenty tulip bulbs. Here the compound verb “will plant'' describes an action that will take place in the future.My first teacher was Miss Crawford, but I remember the janitor Mr. Weatherbee more vividly. In this sentence, the verb “was'' (the simple past tense of “is'') identifies a particular person and the verb “remembered'' describes a mental action.Karl Creelman bicycled around in world in 1899, but his diaries and his bicycle were destroyed. In this sentence, the compound verb “were destroyed'' describes an action which took place in the past.Compound Verbs You construct a compound verb out of an auxiliary verb and another verb.In particular, you may use an auxiliary verb (also known as a helping verb) with the verb in order to create the many of the tenses available in English.In each of the following sentences, the compound verb appears in bold:Karl Creelman bicycled around in world in 1899, but his diaries and his bicycle were destroyed. The compound verb in this sentence is made up of the auxiliary “were'' and the past participle “destroyed.''The book Seema was looking for is under the sofa. Here the compound verb is made up of the auxiliary verb “was'' and the present participle “looking.''They will meet us at the newest café in the market. In this example the compound verb is made up of the auxiliary verb “will'' and the verb “meet.''That dog has been barking for three hours; I wonder if someone will call the owner. In this sentence the first compound verb is made up of the two auxiliary verbs (“has'' and “been'') and a present participle (“barking''). The second compound verb is made up of the auxiliary verb “will'' and the verb “call.''Auxiliary VerbsThe most common auxiliary verbs are “be,'' “do,'' and “have'', and you may also use these verbs on their own. You use “Will'' and “shall'' to express future time.In each of the following examples, a verb commonly used as an auxiliary verb appears as a simple predicate:She is the chief engineer. The tea cups are in the china cabinet. Garth does this kind of thing frequently. My roommates and I do the laundry every second week. I can't complete my assignment because he still has my notes. They have several kinds of gelato in the display case. Other common auxiliaries are “can,'' “could,'' “may,'' “might,'' “must,'' “ought,'' “should,'' “will,'' and “would.'' A verb like these is called a modal auxiliary and expresses necessity, obligation, or possibility.The word in bold in each of the following sentences is a modal auxiliary: Zora was pleased to learn that she could take several days off. The small freckled girl told her neighbours that she would walk their dog for an appropriate fee. Henry told Eliza that she ought to have the hole in the bucket fixed. The principal told the assembled students that the school board might introduce a dress code next autumn. According to the instructions, we must leave this goo in our hair for twenty minutes. Several words may intervene between the auxiliary and the verb which goes with it, as in the following sentences:They have not delivered the documents on time. The treasure chest was never discovered. The health department has recently decided that all high school students should be immunised against meningitis. Will you walk the dog tonight? The ballet corps was rapidly and gracefully pirouetting about the stage.Transitive and Intransitive VerbsDepending on the type of object they take, verbs may be transitive, intransitive, or linking.The meaning of a transitive verb is incomplete without a direct object, as in the following examples:INCOMPLETE The shelf holds. COMPLETE The shelf holds three books and a vase of flowers. INCOMPLETE The committee named. COMPLETE The committee named a new chairperson. INCOMPLETE The child broke. COMPLETE The child broke the plate. An intransitive verb, on the other hand, cannot take a direct object:This plant has thrived (on the south windowsill). The compound verb “has thrived'' is intransitive and takes no direct object in this sentence. The prepositional phrase “on the south windowsill'' acts as an adverb describing where the plant thrives.The sound of the choir carried (through the cathedral). The verb “carried'' is used intransitively in this sentence and takes no direct object. The prepositional phrase “through the cathedral'' acts as an adverb describing where the sound carried.The train from Montreal arrived four hours late. The intransitive verb “arrived'' takes no direct object, and the noun phrase “four hours late'' acts as an adverb describing when the train arrived.Since the company was pleasant and the coffee both plentiful and good, we lingered (in the restaurant for several hours). The verb “lingered'' is used intransitively and takes no direct object. The prepositional phrase “in the restaurant for several hours'' acts as an adverb modifying “lingered''.The painting was hung (on the south wall of the reception room). The compound verb “was hung'' is used intransitively and the sentence has no direct object. The prepositional phrase “on the south wall of the reception room'' acts as a adverb describing where the paint hung. Many verbs can be either transitive or intransitive, depending on their context in the sentence. In the following pairs of sentences, the first sentence uses the verb transitively and the second uses the same verb intransitively: transitive According to the instructions, we must leave this goo in our hair for twenty minutes. In this example, the verb “leave'' takes a direct object, the noun phrase “this goo''. intransitive We would like to stay longer, but we must leave. In this example, the verb “leave'' does not take a direct object. transitive The audience attentively watched the latest production of The Trojan Women. In this example, the verb “watch'' is used transitively and takes the noun phrase “the latest production of The Trojan Women'' as a direct object. intransitive The cook watched while the new dishwasher surreptitiously picked up the fragments of the broken dish. In this example, the verb “watched'' is used intransitively and takes no direct object. intransitive The crowd moves across the field in an attempt to see the rock star get into her helicopter. Here the verb “moves'' is used as an intransitive verb and takes no direct object. transitive Every spring, William moves all boxes and trunks from one side of the attic to the other. In this sentence “moves'' is used as a transitive verb and takes the noun phrase “all the boxes and trunk'' as a direct object.Exercise: Transitive and Intransitive VerbsIdentify whether the underlined verb or compound verb is used transitively or intransitively:1.The old woman struggled up the hill, pulling a grocery cart that had lost one wheel behind her.2.Hermione is editing her uncle's memoirs of his lifetime as a green grocer.3.Much to the amusement of the onlookers, Paul danced a minuet to the polka music that drifted out of the beer tent.4.At the beginning of the play, the entire cast dances manically across the stage.5.Stella is reading quietly in the upstairs bedroom instead of doing her chores.Linking VerbsA linking verb connects a subject to a subject complement which identifies or describes the subject, as in the following sentences:The play is Waiting for Godot. In this sentence, the linking verb “is'' links the noun phrase “the play'' to the identifying phrase “Waiting for Godot,'' which is called a subject complement.Some of us thought that the play was very good. In this sentence, the verb “was'' links the subject complement “very good'' to subject “the play''.Others thought it became tedious after the first fifteen minutes. In this sentence, the linking verb “became'' links the subject “it'' to the subject complement “tedious.'' The phrase “after the first fifteen minutes'' functions as a adverb modifying the clause “it became tedious''.The cast appears disorganised and confused; perhaps Beckett intended this. Here “appears'' is functioning as a linking verb that connects the subject “the cats'' to its subject complement “disorganised and confused''.The play seems absurd to me. The subject “the play'' is joined to its subject complement “absurd'' by the linking verb “seems''.Linking verbs are either verbs of sensation (“feel,'' “look,'' “smell,'' “sound,'' “taste'') or verbs of existence (“act,'' “appear,'' “be,'' “become,'' “continue,'' “grow,'' “prove,'' “remain,'' “seem,'' “sit,'' “strand,'' “turn'').Many linking verbs (with the significant exception of “be'') can also be used as transitive or intransitive verbs. In the following pairs of sentences, the first sentence uses the in bold verb as a linking verb and the second uses the same verb as either a transitive or an intransitive verb:Linking Griffin insists that the water in Winnipeg tastes terrible. In this sentence, the adjective “terrible'' is a subject complement that describes a quality of the water.Transitive I tasted the soup before adding more salt. Here the noun phrase “the soup'' identifies what “I tasted.'' “The soup'' is the direct object of the verb “tasted.''Linking My neighbour's singing voice sounds very squeaky despite several hours of daily practice. In this example, the phrase “very squeaky'' is a subject complement that describes or identities the nature of the “singing voice.''Transitive Upon the approach of the enemy troops, the gate-keeper sounded his horn. Here the verb “sounded'' takes a direct object, the noun phrase “his horn.''Linking Cynthia feels queasy whenever she listens to banjo music. In this sentence, the adjective “queasy'' is a subject complement that describes Cynthia.Transitive The customer carefully feels the fabric of the coat. Here the noun phrase “the fabric of the coat'' is the direct object of the verb “feels'' and identifies what the customer feels.Exercise: Linking VerbsIdentify whether the underlined verb is used as a linking verb:1.Frankenstein is the name of the scientist not the monster.2.The oenophile tasted several types of Beaujolais.3.Francine's uncle grows prize winning dahlias.4.The cheesecake tastes delicious.5.After smoking three cigars, Flannery turned green.Auxilliary Verbs l. The girls don't go but ihe boys . (A) do (B) go (C) don't (D) do too 2. My watch keeps good time, but his . (A) do (B) doesn't (C) isn't (D) won't 3. He said he didn't take the money , but I am sure he . (A) does (B) did (C) is (D) was 4. I don't know whether he speaka Chinese or not, but he might . (A) be (B) do (C) have (D) speak 5. You had better there again. (A) not to go (B) not go (C) not going (D) not be gc 6. When ihe bell rang, he said he better go and see who i1 (A) did (B) had (C) should (D) would 7. You your lesson over the weekend, but you didn't. (A) would study (B) did not study (C) had not studied (D) should have studied 8. He went away immediately lest he see me. (A) will (B) shall (C) would (D) should 9. I am sorry that you were late for the meeting. You on time morning. (A) should be (B) would be (C) ought to have been (D) needn't have been 10. You ought your homework last night , but you didn't. (A)do (B) to do (C) did (D) to have done 11. At any rate, we be faithful to our friends. (A) must (B) have to (C) ought to (D) should . 12. They would rather not about it now. (A) talk (B) to talk (C) talking (D) to talking 13. I would rather stay at home than out. (A) going (B) to go (C) go (D) gone 14. My brother used to when he was a schoolboy. (A) be timid (B) timid (C) have been timid (D) being tim 15. 1 can't find my bag. It stolen just now. (A) has (B) must have been (C) will have been (D) had 16.It , for the ground is wet. (A) must rain (B) must be going to rain (C) must have rained (D) ought to rain 17.I go to the station to pick up my friend now. (A)must (B) must to (C) have to (D) have got to 18.It was necessary for her to go to Beijing last night. =She to go to Beijing last night. (A) used (B) has (C) had (D) would 19. We know that a housewife does not need for food every day. (A) go shopping (B) to go shoping (C) to going shop (D) to go shopping 20. Judging from his accent, he be a Frenchmsn. (A) mustn't (B) needn't (C) can't (D) will 21. I hope to the party tonight. (A) able to come (B) I shall able to come (C) I shall can come (D) to be able to come 22. He said, "I must go now. " = He said he at once. (A) had to go (B) need to go (C) has to go (D) must have gone 23. A rich man about his next meal. (A) does not need to worry (B) does not need worry (C) needs not worry (D) needs not to worry 24.The child ought to to bed earlier last night. (A) put (B) be put (C) have put (D) have been put 25. The door ought to a week ago. (A) have fixed (B) be fixed (C) get fixed (D) have been fixed 26."What has happened to John?" "I don't know. He lost. " (A) may have gotten (B) might get (C) can have gotten (D) ought to get 27.To keep the road as pleasant as possible, most of these trees when the road is widened. (A) preserves (B) must preserve (C) should be preserved (D) ought to have preserved 28. Since they aren't answering their telephone, the . (A)should have left (B) need have left (C) would have left (D) must have left 29. I am surprised that you so indiscreetly. (A)act (B) should be acted (C) should have acted (D) could have been acting 30. Every afternoon at three when Mary was about to start her violi sons, I go out for a walk. (A) would (B) used to (C) was used to (D) got used 31. When driving, we obey the traffic Iaws thoroughly and absolutely (A) should (B) need (C) ought (D) must 32. Oh , Jane , you've broken still another glass. You ought when you washed it. (A)be careful (B) to careful (C) to be careful (D) to have been careful 33. John : Did you go anywhere after supper? Mary : I , but I went to the movies instead. (A) would have studied (B) should have learned (C) should have studied (D) would have learned 34. "I expect you wonder why I've asked you to come back. " " Well , as a matter of fact , yes , I " (A) am (B) have (C) do (b) can 35. That was a close call, you hit by the car. (A) could have been (B) can have been (C) could be (D) can be 36. Mother has often admonished me that we cannot be careful in this world. (A)such (B) too (C) very (D)would rather 37. Six o'clock will be too late to go , you stay at home. (A)have better (B) may as well (C) msy well (D) would 38. She die than suff'er disgrace. (A) would rather (B) prefers (C) would like to (D) no soon 39. Patrick : You may laugh , but I've been thinking of becoming ;,'i tarian. Mary : Oh , Patrick , you be out of your mind. You will be hungry all the time. (A) must (B) may (C) will (D) should 40. "Hey!" Jack complained to the woman, "You said your dog doesn't bite ! " " It " the woman said , " but that's not my dog. " (A)does (B) did (C) didn't (D) doesn't When you look at our planet from space as the astronauts 1. , you might wonder why our planet is called e 2. "Planet Water" m 3. be a better name. About three-fourl the earth's surface is covered by water. Most of this water is thi water f 4. d in the oceans. The water in rivers , lakes , ponds and springs 5. fresh water. Most 1 6. g things are found in or near water. Some of live in the lakes , ponds , and oceans. O 7. need only to b~ water. A few live in areas , such as desert , w 8. they go w water for a long period of time. All living things contain water bodies. Your own body 9. instance , is about two-thirds v This water is essential for life. It is needed 10. carry on a life activities.Verbs that are confusing1.The boys were told to the beds after getting up. (A) make (B) do (C) put (D) finish 2.She me that she would not go. (A) told (B) said (C) spoke (D) talked 3.Several books were found on my desk. (A) to lie (B) to lying (C) laying (D) lying 4.This watch is dependable , as it always good time. (A) tells (B) makes (C) keeps (D) shows 5.When I went to see the doctor, he first had the nurse my temperature. (A)measure (B) get (C) find (D) take 6.Don't hurry , you may your time writing this letter. (A) keep (B) take (C) use (D) lose 7.They plan to build a hall that may two thousand people. (A) seat (B) sit (C) set (D) be sitting 8.I love in bed reading my favorite novels in the night. (A) laying (B) lain (C) lying (D) laid 9.Hurry up or you will the train. (A) lost (B) miss (C) loose (D) lose 10.The river has several feet because of the heavy rain. (A) rose (B) raised (C) risen (D) rising 11.Long ago, news often weeks or months to get into the paper. (A) spent (B) took (C) made (D) cost 12. Don't so much noise in the public places. (A) do (B) take (C) make (D) talk 13.A: Can I speak to Mary? B; She's not here right now. A:Oh. May I a message? (A) take (B) leave (C) give (D) say 14.It about one hour to fly from Taipei to Hong Kong. (A) needs (B) takes (C) costs (D) spends 15.He good-bye to his good friends at the station. (A) said (B) told (C) spoke (D) talked 16. The hostess asked her guests to be (A) sit (B) sat (C) set (D) seated 17. How much money did you on your reference books? (A) take (B) spend (C) cost (D) occupy 18. It a little force to lift the heavy weight. (A) takes (B) is needed (C) is taken (D) need 19. It courage to make a speech in public. (A) does (B) takes (C) makes (D) need 20. I like going for a walk in Beihai Park. (A) feel (B) felled (C) fell (D) fall 21. A large number of trees on the top of the mountain in the (A) felled (B) had been felled (C) had felled (D) had fallen 22. It doesn't any difference to me whether you are rich or poor (A) say (B) make (C) work (D) turn 23. As John was broke these days, he five yuan from me yesterday (A) lent (B) borrowed (C) gave (D) had lent 24. Please carefully read the directions which can on page ten. (A) find (B) be finded (C) be found (D) be founded 25. It from here to the station. (A)is five minutes' walk (B) takes five minutes to walk (C) spend five minute walk (D) is five minute's walk 26. The short supply did not the increasing demand. (A) catch (B) meet (C) follow (D) answer 27. As he entered the room, he found many books scattere on the floor. (A) laying (B) to lay (C) lying (D) lie 28. The book is on the shelf, where I it yesterday. (A) lay (B) lied (C) lying (D) laid 29. At first he took an opposite view, but I managed to him into agreeing with me. (A) make (B) tatk (C) cause (D) have 30. Many people think they can what the weather is going to But they hardly ever agree with each other. (A) talk (B) cry (C) tell (D) speak 31.The boy's wayward behavior his mother many a sleepless night. (A) cost (B) took (C) spent (D) robbed 32. She's gone to the weekend with her family. (A) spend (B) live (C) pass (D) take 33. Modern means of transportation enables man to cover distances in a few hours that used to him weeks or even months. (A) cost (B) spend (C) waste (D) take 34.Mary is looking for a red hat to her red dress. (A) color (B) match (C) make (D) compare 35.The teacher explained the lesson by examples. (A) doing (B) making (C) talling (D) giving 36.Food , drink , clothing , and a roof over one's head-these are the daily necessities that no one can without. (A) be (B) do (C) make (D) endure 37. This is exactly what happened. my word for it. (A) Take (B) Make (C) Ask (D) Believe 38. "Prices keep going up. " "Yes, but the interest on my savings account is certainly not . (A) risen (B) raise (C) on the rise (D) on the raise 39. "What do you need?" "My pen is out of ink, may I ?" (A) use yours (B) lend yours (C) borrow yours (D) borrow you 40. "When did the lecture begin?" "When all the students , the professor began his lecture. " (A) seated (B) sit (C) were seated (D) seat You probably know why blood is always 1. ( to need)in hospitals. Every day, hundreds of people get 2. ( hurting)in accidents. Many other people are sick. Many of the hurt and sike are people 3. ( have missed ) a lot of blood. They need new blon away. So at all timea , hospitals must have lots of new blood ' 4. ( by hand ) . There is no way to "make" new blood for people. Blood can only 5. ( came from ) other people. That is why someone may ask you to give blood 6. ( some days ) . The first time you give blood, you may be a little 7. (afraid of ) . After all ; people don't like to have needles 8. (to put into ) them. But the needle doesn't hurt much , and it only 9. (spends ) a little time to give blood. You will be 10. (pride) that you did it. The second time you give, you won't mind it at all. .Exercise: Subject Verb agreement 1. There some very bad atorms recently. (A)is (B)are (C) have (D) have been 2. There sixty minutes in an hour. (A) are (B) is (C) were (D) shall be 3. Collecting stampes a good hobby. (A) is (B) are (C) wae (D) were 4. Chatting with them my mind. (A) improves (B) have improved (C) impmve (D) improv ing 5. Learning to use machines very important today. (A) is (B) was (C) are (D) were 6. "How much do you need?" "Ten pounds enough. " (A) are (B) is (C) has been (D) have been 7. Ten thousand yuan a large sum of money. (A) is (B) are (C) have been (D) were 8. The majority of the damage easy to repair. (A) is (B) are (C) am (D)been 9. Much of what he says not true. (A) does (B) do (C) is (D) are 10. Bread and butter what he needs for breakfast. (A) is (B) are (C) being (D)was 11. Many a student in the school summer vacation very much (A) likes (B) like (C) had liked (D) liking 12. Early to bed and early to rise a man healthy , wealthy (A) make (B) makes (C) is (D) are 13. Neither he nor I willing to live there. (A) are (B) were (C) be (D)am 14. Mary as well as her two younger sisters fond of swimming (A) is (B) were (C) are (D) have been 15. He is the only one of the students who English fluentl (A) speaks (B) speak (C) speaking (D) spoke 16, She is interested in anything that history. (A) is to do (B) has to do with (C) must be a (D) concentrate on 17.The old house with its besutiful furniture and pictures me. (A) have sold (B) have.been sold (C) has sold (D) has been sold 18. Whether I go or I stay upon the news we get about Mother's health. (A) depends (B) depending (C) dependent (D) depend lg 19.This tool is used for smoothing edges . (A) who are not smooth (B) which is not amooth (C) what are not smooth (D) that are not smooth 20.The teacher with all his atudents looking forward to on a picnic. (A) are/going (B) is/going (C) is/gone (D) are/gone 21. are right in this matter. (A) Both you and he (B) You as well as he (C) Not only you but also he (D) Both of you 22. Among the passengers the judge of our district, Mr. J. C. Smith. (A)was (B) were (C) are (D) be 23. The news coming from different parts of the world often extremely diacouraging these days. (A)are (B) were (C) am (D) is 24.Hockey and football, not bowling, most athletic injuries. (A) is the sport that cause (B) is the sport that is causing (C) are the s rts that cause (D) are the sports that is the cause of 25. are specialized in engineering. (A)Most of my time (B) Part of his wisdom (C) Half of my family (D) The rest of her lifeAlthough 1. many diff'erent sizes and types of vending machines, 2. all work asically in the same way. The cust 3. a coin into the machine and then 4. a button , pu lever, or opens a door to receive the merchandise. Some macl will return 5. to the customer, and a few will make chang~ paper money. But the basic idea 6. the same. Customers to save time and 7. usually willing to 8. a higher pric this convenience. The sale of snacks in vending machines 9. always been very successful. However, machines now 10. meals with only limited success. 1. (A)there are (B) there have (C) it has (D) it is 2. (A) both (B) they (C) which (D) and it 3. (A) is put (B) has put (C) puts (D) put 4. (A) pushes (B) is pushed (C) has pushed (D) pushed g 5.(A) charge (B) chance (C) change (D) chart 6. (A) has (B) to be (C) being (D) is 7. (A) have (B) are (C) like (D) will g 8. (A) be paid (B) be paying (C) pay (D) have paid 9. (A) have (B) has (C) having (D) had 10. (A) are sold (B) sell (C) has sold (D) selling

What Is a Verb

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