Verbs

What are Verbs?

A verb is a word that expresses an action, occurrence or state of being. It is a fundamental part of speech and is often the main element in a sentence, indicating what the subject is doing, what is happening or the state of existence.

Verbs can be broadly categorised as principal verbs and auxiliary verbs.

Principal Verbs

Principal verbs, also known as primary verbs or lexical verbs, are the main action words in a sentence. These verbs express the primary action or state of being in a sentence and are essential for conveying the meaning of the sentence.

Examples:

→ The detective thoroughly investigated the mysterious disappearance of the valuable artefacts from the museum.
→ The government implemented a comprehensive plan to eradicate the spread of the infectious disease in densely populated urban areas.
→ The chemist skillfully synthesised a novel compound with potential applications in renewable energy technology.
→ The miscommunication between the two countries exacerbated the already tense geopolitical situation in the region.
→ The company strategically diversified its product portfolio to adapt to changing market trends and capture a wider customer base.
→ The research teams from different disciplines collaborated to develop an innovative solution for sustainable waste management.

Auxiliary Verbs

Auxiliary verbs also known as helping verbs, are a type of verb that is used alongside the main verb in a sentence to create different tenses, moods, voices and aspects. They "help" the main verb by providing additional information about the action or state expressed in the sentence.

There are two types, primary and modal auxiliary verbs as follows:

1. Primary Auxiliaries Verbs

2. Modal Auxiliaries Verbs

Modal auxiliary verbs are a type of auxiliary verbs that are used to express the mood or attitude of the speaker towards the action or state of the main verb in a sentence. They modify the main verb to give it a meaning.

Some common modal auxiliary verbs are:

1. Can: indicates ability or possibility

Examples:

→ Shelly can swim effortlessly across the deep lake. (express an ability)
→ Mark can climb the towering mountain if he overcomes his anxiety. (express potential or possibility)
→ Can we use the new software to significantly enhance the efficiency of the company's operations? (express permission)

2. Could: generally used to denote permission, possibility or ability and is mostly used as a past tense of ‘can'.

Examples:

→ She could have finished her homework earlier if she hadn't been so distracted by the noise. (express possibility)
→ The chef said that he could create a unique dish with the new ingredients he received. (express ability)
→ Could you visit the art gallery this Sunday with me? (express permission)

3. Will: used to express what we know or believe. 

Examples:

→ By next year, Sussan will have completed her master's degree in literature.
→ If it rains, we will be forced to move the outdoor concert indoors.
→ Despite the challenges, they will continue working on the project.

4. Would: generally used to offer or request something.

Examples:

→ If I had a magic wand, I would make poverty disappear from the country.
→ She said she would help us with the project if she had more time.
→ Would you update me about the meeting?

5. Shall: generally used to express something that can take place in the future. 

Examples:

→ I shall complete my work before going out shopping.
→ Shall we meet at the library to discuss the project tomorrow?
→ If it snows tomorrow, we shall have to postpone the soccer match.

6. Should: generally used to express something that can take place in the future.

Examples:

→ In your exam, you should double-check your answers to ensure accuracy.
→ If you are confused about a math problem, you should ask your teacher for clarification.
→ Students should not procrastinate, as it can negatively impact their academic performance.

7. May: used to convey that something is possible.

Examples:

→ After attending the meeting, Tom may go with his friends to watch soccer.
→ If it rains tomorrow, the outdoor picnic may be cancelled.
→ The scientists are conducting experiments to determine whether the new medicine may cure certain diseases.

8. Might: used in hypothetical situations. 

Examples:

→ She might have forgotten her umbrella at home, so let's call and check.
→ If you study consistently, you might achieve higher grades in the upcoming exams.
→ After weeks of training, he might be well-prepared for the challenging marathon.

9. Must: used to convey certainty about something or express one's point of view. It is also used to emphasise the necessity

Examples:

→ After studying the weather patterns, the meteorologist concluded that there must be a high probability of rain tomorrow.
→ To succeed in the science competition, students must not only grasp theoretical concepts but also apply them practically in experiments.
→ Despite facing challenges, the team must persevere and continue their efforts to achieve the project's ambitious goals.

10. Ought: used to express obligation or duty.

Examples:

→ You ought to have completed your homework before coming to the party.
→ She ought not to have spoken so rudely to her teacher.
→ We ought to be more considerate of others' feelings when expressing our opinions.

11. Need and Dare: Generally termed as semi-modals, need and dare are used in both positive and negative statements. However, need is more often used in the negative form "needn't".

Examples:

→ Dare he ask how she manages everything?
→ Need I visit her?
→ You needn't involve yourself in this matter.

Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Transitive verbs are the verbs that are used with direct objects. These are the verbs in which the action transfers from the doer to something or someone, usually termed as the direct object whereas intransitive verbs are used without a direct object. The action usually stops with the doer.

Examples:

Subject-Verb Agreement

Rule 1: A verb must always agree with its subject in person and number (singular or plural). If the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.

Rule 2: If two or more subjects are joined by "and", they require a plural verb.

Rule 3: If a singular subject is joined to another pronoun or noun by phrases like "besides", "in addition to", "with", "along with", as well as, etc., the verb agrees with the initially mentioned subject.

Rule 4: Subjects that are modified by words like "somebody", "either", "everyone", "no one", "each", "every", "someone", "something", etc. usually take singular verbs.

Rule 5: Uncountable nouns usually take a singular verb.

Rule 6: If a collective noun describes a single whole, it takes a singular verb.

Rule 7: When the subjects are joined by or, neither…nor, either…or, the verb agrees with the nearest subject.