What is a Verb? Definition, Usage & Examples

Discover the definition of a verb, its forms, and examples to help you use verbs correctly for clear communication.

Verbs are one of the fundamental parts of speech in English. They describe actions, states, or occurrences. Every sentence you construct revolves around verbs. Without them, you couldn’t express what you or others are doing.

In this article, you’ll learn what verbs are, how to use them, and common examples. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of verbs and their role in making your speech or writing clear and dynamic.

What is a Verb?

A verb is a word that describes an action, a state, or an occurrence. In every sentence, the verb tells you what is happening, who is doing something, or the state of a subject.

Types of Verbs

There are several types of verbs, each playing a unique role in the structure of a sentence. Let’s take a look at the most common types:

Action Verbs
Action verbs tell you what the subject is doing. These are the most common verbs you’ll encounter.
Example: He runs every morning.
Linking Verbs
Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to more information about that subject. They don’t show action but describe a state of being. Common linking verbs include “am,” “is,” “are,” “was,” and “were.”
Example: She is happy.
Auxiliary (Helping) Verbs
Auxiliary verbs assist the main verb in a sentence by extending its meaning. They often appear with action or linking verbs. Common helping verbs include “have,” “do,” and “will.”
Example: They are working on a project.
Modal Verbs
Modal verbs express necessity, possibility, or ability. Common modal verbs include “can,” “must,” “shall,” “will,” and “should.”
Example: You should listen carefully.

Verb Tenses

Tense refers to the time of an action or state. Verbs change form to indicate whether the action is happening in the past, present, or future.

Present Tense

Present tense verbs describe actions or states happening right now or regularly.
Example: He eats breakfast at 8 a.m.

Past Tense

Past tense verbs describe actions or states that have already happened. Regular verbs form the past tense by adding “ed,” but irregular verbs have unique forms.
Example: She ran to the store.

Future Tense

Future tense verbs describe actions or states that will happen. To form the future tense, you usually add “will” before the base verb.
Example: They will travel to France next year.

Verb Forms

Verbs can take many forms, depending on how they are used in a sentence. Understanding these forms helps you construct clear, grammatically correct sentences.

Base Form

The base form of a verb is its simplest form. It’s what you find in the dictionary.
Example: walk, run, eat

Past Form

This form shows an action or state that occurred in the past. For regular verbs, you add “ed” to the base form.
Example: walked, jumped

Past Participle

The past participle form is used with helping verbs like “have” or “had” to show actions that happened before another action.
Example: I have walked this path before.

Present Participle

The present participle form adds “ing” to the base verb. It often works with “am,” “is,” or “are” to show ongoing actions.
Example: They are running right now.

Infinitive

The infinitive form of a verb is “to” plus the base form.
Example: to sing, to dance

Regular vs. Irregular Verbs

Verbs fall into two categories: regular and irregular. The way they form their past tense and past participles differs.

Regular Verbs

Regular verbs follow a predictable pattern. To form the past tense and past participle, you simply add “ed” to the base verb.
Example: walk → walked, play → played

Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs do not follow the same pattern. You have to learn each verb’s past tense and past participle separately.
Example: go → went, eat → ate

Modal verbs like “can,” “should,” and “must” add meaning to the main verb by expressing ability, permission, or obligation. They do not change form based on tense.

Can

“Can” expresses ability or permission.
Example: I can swim.

Should

“Should” expresses a recommendation or advice.
Example: You should study more.

Must

“Must” expresses necessity or strong obligation.
Example: You must wear a helmet while riding.

Phrasal Verbs

A phrasal verb is a verb phrase consisting of a verb and one or more particles (like prepositions). Phrasal verbs often have meanings different from the original verb.

Common Phrasal Verbs

Give up: to stop trying
Example: I will never give up on my dreams.
Look after: to take care of
Example: She looks after her younger brother.

For more examples of phrasal verbs, check out this list of common phrasal verbs.

Verb Agreement with Subjects

Verbs must agree with the subject in both number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third). Mistakes in subject-verb agreement can confuse your reader.

Singular Subjects

A singular subject takes a singular verb.
Example: The cat runs quickly.

Plural Subjects

A plural subject takes a plural verb.
Example: The cats run quickly.

First, Second, and Third Person

The form of the verb may also change depending on the person of the subject.

First Person Singular: I am, I walk
Second Person Singular/Plural: You are, You walk
Third Person Singular: He/She/It is, He/She/It walks
First Person Plural: We are, We walk
Third Person Plural: They are, They walk

How Verbs Function in Sentences

Verbs are the backbone of sentences. Every sentence needs a verb to indicate what action or state is taking place. Let’s break down how verbs function in different types of sentences.

In Declarative Sentences

A declarative sentence makes a statement. In these sentences, verbs show what is happening or the subject’s state.
Example: The sun shines brightly.

In Interrogative Sentences

In questions, verbs play a central role. They help you ask about actions or states.
Example: Are you coming to the party?

In Imperative Sentences

In commands or requests, verbs direct someone to do something.
Example: Close the door.

In Exclamatory Sentences

Even in exclamations, verbs express strong emotions related to an action or state.
Example: What a beautiful sunset this is!

Verb Usage in Active and Passive Voice

Verbs can be used in either the active or passive voice. The active voice is more direct and lively, while the passive voice is more subtle and indirect.

Active Voice

In active voice, the subject performs the action. This is the most common and preferred voice in writing.
Example: The chef cooked the meal.

Passive Voice

In passive voice, the action is performed on the subject.
Example: The meal was cooked by the chef.

Common Mistakes with Verbs

It’s easy to make mistakes with verbs, but understanding common pitfalls can help you avoid them.

Mistake #1: Incorrect Verb Tense

Make sure the tense of your verb matches the time of the action.
Incorrect: She run to the store yesterday.
Correct: She ran to the store yesterday.

Mistake #2: Subject-Verb Agreement

Ensure the verb agrees with the subject in both number and person.
Incorrect: The dogs runs fast.
Correct: The dogs run fast.

Mistake #3: Mixing Verb Forms

Keep the forms of your verbs consistent.
Incorrect: He is walk to the park.
Correct: He is walking to the park.

Conclusion

Verbs are essential to clear communication. They express action, state, or occurrence, and without them, language would be incomplete. Whether you’re using simple action verbs or more complex phrasal or modal verbs, mastering their use will make your writing more precise and effective.

Now that you understand the basics, you can confidently identify, use, and modify verbs in your own sentences. Practice makes perfect, so keep experimenting with different verb forms, tenses, and voices to improve your language skills.