THE
VERB
In the
first seven lessons of the WEI English Course, we examined various kinds
of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives. We learned how to use them and how to
change them from one form to another.
In this lesson we begin our study of the verb. A verb is a word that expresses action, condition, or state of being.
Sentences: "Doug ran a race this morning" (action).
"Now he is tired" (state of being).
In this lesson we begin our study of the verb. A verb is a word that expresses action, condition, or state of being.
Sentences: "Doug ran a race this morning" (action).
"Now he is tired" (state of being).
VERBS
TO REMEMBER
- "action verb"
A word that expresses mental or physical activity.
Example: "Abraham's servant took ten camels and loaded them with gifts." The words "took" and "loaded" are action verbs. - "helping verb"
A verb that helps the main verb express action, condition, or state of
being.
Example: "God will surely listen to our prayers." "Will" is a helping verb. - "linking verb"
A verb that links the subject to a word which tells what the subject is or
seems to be.
Example: "To God, everyone is important." "Is" is a linking verb. - "main verb" A
verb that expresses the main thought or action in a verb phrase.
Example: "The Lord has led me to the right girl for my master's son." In this sentence, the word "has" is the helping verb, and "led" is the main verb. - "transitive verb"
A verb that requires an object to complete its meaning.
Example: "God answers prayer." In this sentence, the word "answers" is a transitive verb. The object, "prayer," is necessary to complete the meaning of "answers." - "intransitive verb"
A verb that does not require an object to complete its meaning.
Example: "Isaac's mother died." "Died" is an intransitive verb.
OTHER
WORDS TO REMEMBER
- "bracelet"
(noun) A band or chain worn as an ornament around the arm or wrist.
Example: "Abraham's servant gave Rebekah a gold ring and two gold arm bracelets." - "heir" (noun)
Anyone who receives the property, office, or title of a person who dies.
Example: "Isaac was the only male heir in Abraham's family." "Heir" is pronounced like "air." The "h" is silent. - "loyal"
(adjective) Faithful and true.
Example: "God was kind and loyal to Abraham." - "pregnancy"
(noun) The state or condition of carrying a child in the body.
Example: "Rebekah's pregnancy was a special blessing from God." - "trough"
(noun) A long, narrow container holding food or water for animals.
Example: "Rebekah poured all the water from her jar into the drinking trough." "Trough" rhymes with "cough." The "gh" is pronounced like "f." - "salvation"
(noun) Deliverance from danger, evil, or destruction.
Example: "God's plan of salvation unfolds in this lesson."
WHAT
IS A VERB?
A
verb is a word that expresses action, condition, or state of being. It
tells what is happening, what is, or what seems to be.
"Jane walked home" (action).
"She was tired" (condition).
"Jane's husband looked worried" (state of being).
"Jane walked home" (action).
"She was tired" (condition).
"Jane's husband looked worried" (state of being).
Every
sentence must have a subject and a predicate, and every predicate
must have a verb. The verb is the heart of the predicate.
Example: "Isaac and Ishmael buried Abraham in the Cave of Machpelah." In this sentence, "Isaac" and "Ishmael" are the subjects, and "buried Abraham" is the predicate. The verb "buried," tells us what Isaac and Ishmael did with Abraham.
Example: "Isaac and Ishmael buried Abraham in the Cave of Machpelah." In this sentence, "Isaac" and "Ishmael" are the subjects, and "buried Abraham" is the predicate. The verb "buried," tells us what Isaac and Ishmael did with Abraham.
ACTION
VERBS
An
action verb is a verb that expresses physical or mental activity.
Examples of action verbs are,
"ask,"
"bring,"
"climb,"
"dig,"
"eat,"
"go,"
"hurl,"
"jog,"
"kneel,"
"make,"
"push,"
"rake,"
"stand,"
"throw,"
"work."
"ask,"
"bring,"
"climb,"
"dig,"
"eat,"
"go,"
"hurl,"
"jog,"
"kneel,"
"make,"
"push,"
"rake,"
"stand,"
"throw,"
"work."
Can
you write down ten important things you did after you awoke from sleep and got
out of bed this morning?
For example, let me describe what I did: "I put on my robe and slippers, turned on the heater, and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. There, I filled the tea kettle with water and put it on the stove to heat. I poured a bowl of bran flakes, brewed a cup of coffee, and sat down to eat. While eating, I thought about my schedule for the day. After breakfast, I shaved, showered, dressed, and drove to work." The action verbs in this paragraph have been highlighted.
For example, let me describe what I did: "I put on my robe and slippers, turned on the heater, and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. There, I filled the tea kettle with water and put it on the stove to heat. I poured a bowl of bran flakes, brewed a cup of coffee, and sat down to eat. While eating, I thought about my schedule for the day. After breakfast, I shaved, showered, dressed, and drove to work." The action verbs in this paragraph have been highlighted.
LINKING
VERBS
A
linking verb expresses condition or state of being. It describes what is
or what seems to be. It links the subject of a sentence to a word that
describes the subject.
Example: "God is love." In this sentence, "God" is the subject, "love" is the word that describes God, and "is" is the linking verb that joins the two together.
Example: "God is love." In this sentence, "God" is the subject, "love" is the word that describes God, and "is" is the linking verb that joins the two together.
The
most common linking verb is the verb
"be" and its various forms:
"am,"
"are,"
"is,"
"was," and
"were."
Example: "Rebekah was very beautiful." In this sentence, "Rebekah" is the subject, "beautiful" is the word that describes her, and "was" is the linking verb.
"be" and its various forms:
"am,"
"are,"
"is,"
"was," and
"were."
Example: "Rebekah was very beautiful." In this sentence, "Rebekah" is the subject, "beautiful" is the word that describes her, and "was" is the linking verb.
Other
linking verbs are
"act,"
"appear,"
"become,"
"feel,"
"grow,"
"look,"
"remain,"
"seem,"
"smell,"
"sound,"
"stand,"
"stay," and
"taste."
Examples:
"Act enthusiastic and you'll feel enthusiastic!"
"On the outside he looks calm, but on the inside he is a nervous wreck."
"It smells like apple pie and it tastes like apple pie, but it is made of peanuts."
"act,"
"appear,"
"become,"
"feel,"
"grow,"
"look,"
"remain,"
"seem,"
"smell,"
"sound,"
"stand,"
"stay," and
"taste."
Examples:
"Act enthusiastic and you'll feel enthusiastic!"
"On the outside he looks calm, but on the inside he is a nervous wreck."
"It smells like apple pie and it tastes like apple pie, but it is made of peanuts."
Some
verbs may be used as linking AND as action verbs.
Examples:
"I feel sick" (linking verb). "I feel the rain on my face" (action verb).
"Some boys grow tall" (linking verb). "Some farmers grow corn" (action verb).
Examples:
"I feel sick" (linking verb). "I feel the rain on my face" (action verb).
"Some boys grow tall" (linking verb). "Some farmers grow corn" (action verb).
TRANSITIVE
VERBS
A
transitive verb is a verb that requires an object to complete its meaning.
Example: "Joe hit the ball." In this sentence, "Joe" is the subject, "hit" is the verb, and "ball" is the object that tells us what Joe hit. The verb "hit" is transitive because it requires an object to complete its meaning.
Example: "Joe hit the ball." In this sentence, "Joe" is the subject, "hit" is the verb, and "ball" is the object that tells us what Joe hit. The verb "hit" is transitive because it requires an object to complete its meaning.
The
action expressed in a transitive verb is thought of as "passing over"
from the subject to an object outside the subject.
Example: "That man studies English." The verb "studies" is transitive because its meaning is completed by the object "English." If we say, "That man studies all the time," the verb "studies" is still transitive because some word like "English," "grammar," or "math" must be understood to complete its meaning.
Example: "That man studies English." The verb "studies" is transitive because its meaning is completed by the object "English." If we say, "That man studies all the time," the verb "studies" is still transitive because some word like "English," "grammar," or "math" must be understood to complete its meaning.
INTRANSITIVE
VERBS
An
intransitive verb is a verb that does not require an object to complete its
meaning. The action expressed by an intransitive verb does not "pass
over" from the subject to an object. It affects only the subject.
Examples:
Flowers bloom.
Rain falls.
The grass grows.
The wind blows.
Crickets chirp.
Examples:
Flowers bloom.
Rain falls.
The grass grows.
The wind blows.
Crickets chirp.
What
do dogs do?
Dogs bark.
Dogs sleep.
Dogs walk, trot, and run.
Dogs fight and dogs die.
We have just used seven intransitive verbs to describe what dogs do.
Dogs bark.
Dogs sleep.
Dogs walk, trot, and run.
Dogs fight and dogs die.
We have just used seven intransitive verbs to describe what dogs do.
Some
verbs may be either transitive or intransitive, depending on how they are
used.
Examples:
"It breaks (transitive verb) my heart (object)." "Glass breaks (intransitive verb) easily."
"He returned (transitive verb) the books (object)." "He returned (intransitive verb) from the war."
Examples:
"It breaks (transitive verb) my heart (object)." "Glass breaks (intransitive verb) easily."
"He returned (transitive verb) the books (object)." "He returned (intransitive verb) from the war."
MAIN
VERBS
The
main verb is the verb which expresses the main thought or action in a verb
phrase (a group of verbs used together). It tells what happens, what is, or
what seems to be.
Examples:
"God is listening to our prayers." In this sentence, "is listening" is a verb phrase and "listening" is the main verb. The main verb of a verb phrase often ends in "ing."
Examples:
"God is listening to our prayers." In this sentence, "is listening" is a verb phrase and "listening" is the main verb. The main verb of a verb phrase often ends in "ing."
HELPING
VERBS
A
helping verb is a verb that helps the main verb tell when or how
something happens.
Example: "God is listening to our prayers. As was noted above, "is listening" is a verb phrase and "listening" is the main verb. "Is" is the helping verb.
Example: "God is listening to our prayers. As was noted above, "is listening" is a verb phrase and "listening" is the main verb. "Is" is the helping verb.
The
most common helping verb is the verb "be" or one of its
forms:
"am,"
"are,"
"is,"
"was," and
"were."
Other helping verbs are,
"can,"
"do,"
"have,"
"may,"
"must,"
"shall," and
"will."
"am,"
"are,"
"is,"
"was," and
"were."
Other helping verbs are,
"can,"
"do,"
"have,"
"may,"
"must,"
"shall," and
"will."
A
helping verb must always agree with the subject of the sentence in number,
person, and tense. (We will learn more about these verb properties in Lesson
Nine.) Notice in the chart below that the helping verbs "be,"
"have," and "do" have more than one form in the singular.
PRESENT
TENSE SINGULAR
1st
Per
|
2nd
Per
|
3rd
Per
|
I
|
you
|
he/she/it
|
am
|
are
|
is
|
do
|
do
|
does
|
have
|
have
|
has
|
PRESENT
TENSE PLURAL
1st
Per
|
2nd
Per
|
3rd
Per
|
we
|
you
|
they
|
are
|
are
|
are
|
do
|
do
|
do
|
have
|
have
|
have
|
PAST
TENSE SINGULAR
1st
Per
|
2nd
Per
|
3rd
Per
|
I
|
you
|
he/she/it
|
was
|
were
|
was
|
PAST
TENSE PLURAL
1st
Per
|
2nd
Per
|
3rd
Per
|
we
|
you
|
they
|
were
|
were
|
were
|
Have you ever known a person who had
more than one job? Perhaps you know a lawyer who is also a politician, or a
woman who teaches mathematics during the day and works as a tax consultant at
night. People often perform more than one function during their careers.
Words are like that, too. Some words
start out being verbs but end up acting like nouns, adjectives, and adverbs.
These strange words are called "verbals." But before we study
verbals, let's learn some new words.
WORDS TO REMEMBER
- "exodus" (noun) ---- A departure; a
going out, usually of a large number of people.
Example: "After living in Egypt 430 years, the people of Israel left Egypt in a great exodus." - "locust" (noun) ---- A large
grasshopper that travels in swarms, eating nearly all vegetation in its
path.
Example: "Locusts covered the land and ate every plant that the hail had not destroyed." - "midst" (noun) ---- The middle; the
central part; the position of being surrounded by something.
Example: "God does not always keep us from suffering, but he does help us in the midst of suffering." - "mortar" (noun) ---- A mixture of
sand, lime, and water that is used to bind bricks together in a building.
Example: "The Israelites were forced to make bricks and mortar and to work in the fields." - "plague" (noun) ---- A disaster; a
calamity; an affliction; anything that causes great pain, suffering, and
death.
Example: "On the night of the tenth plague in Egypt, each Israelite family killed a lamb and smeared its blood on the door frames of their house." - "religious" (adjective) ---- Devoted
to and practicing religion.
Example: "The Egyptians were very religious people. - "roast" (verb) ---- To cook with dry
heat as in an oven.
Example: "You must roast the lamb and eat all the meat." - "spare" (verb) ---- To treat with
mercy; to refrain from punishing, hurting, or destroying.
Example: "At midnight, God passed over the land and spared the homes of the Israelites." - "symbol" (noun) ---- Something that
stands for, represents, or resembles something else.
Example: "The Passover lamb that saved the Israelites from death was a type or symbol of the coming Lamb of God." - "sympathetic" (adjective) ---- Showing
sympathy and understanding; able to share the feelings of another person.
Example: "It is comforting to know that we have a sympathetic God who understands our hurts and shares our pain." - "vital" (adjective) ---- Of great
importance; necessary to life.
Example: "The story of Moses and the Exodus contains some vital truths about God."
VERBALS
A verbal is a word that comes
from a verb and has the characteristics of a verb, but acts like a noun,
adjective, or adverb. There are three different kinds of
"verbals":
(1) the infinitive,
(2) the gerund, and
(3) the participle.
(1) the infinitive,
(2) the gerund, and
(3) the participle.
THE INFINITIVE
The infinitive is a verb that
expresses action or existence without reference to a subject. The word "infinitive" means
"unlimited." The infinitive gets its name from the fact that it is
not limited to any person, number, or tense.
Example: "To be, or not to be; that is the question." "To be" expresses existence but is not limited to any person, number, or tense.
Example: "To be, or not to be; that is the question." "To be" expresses existence but is not limited to any person, number, or tense.
In English, an infinitive usually
consists of the base form of a verb preceded by "to" ("to"
+ base verb form). Example: "The baby's sister watched to see what
would happen." "To" is a pointer word that tells us to look
for an infinitive. If "to" is followed by a verb form, it is part of
an infinitive.
Some verbs (such as
"afraid," "begin," "decide," "deserve,"
"forget," "hope," "learn," "intend,"
"plan," and "refuse") often go with an infinitive (verb +
"to" + base verb form).
Examples: "Moses covered his face because he was afraid to look at God."
"Then a new king began to rule in Egypt."
"Christina is learning to drive a car."
"Pharaoh refused to let the people go."
Examples: "Moses covered his face because he was afraid to look at God."
"Then a new king began to rule in Egypt."
"Christina is learning to drive a car."
"Pharaoh refused to let the people go."
An infinitive phrase is a group
of words that begins with an infinitive and includes one or more words that add
meaning to the infinitive. There are several infinitive phrases in the
examples above:
"to look at God,"
"to rule in Egypt,"
"to drive a car,"
"to let the people go."
"to look at God,"
"to rule in Egypt,"
"to drive a car,"
"to let the people go."
Other verbs (such as
"advise," "cause," "command," "force,"
"encourage," "get," and "happy") are followed by
a noun or pronoun plus an infinitive (verb + noun or pronoun + infinitive).
Examples: "I advise you to see a doctor."
"The Egyptians forced the Israelites to make bricks and mortar."
Examples: "I advise you to see a doctor."
"The Egyptians forced the Israelites to make bricks and mortar."
Remember this important rule: "Never
split an infinitive." That is, never separate the pointer word
"to" from the rest of the infinitive. English teachers jokingly say,
"Remember to never split an infinitive." In this sentence, the
infinitive "to split" is split by the adverb "never."
In some cases, an infinitive is not
preceded by "to." The pointer word "to" is generally not
used following the verbs "dare," "feel," "hear,"
"let," "need," and "see."
Examples: "You wouldn't dare forget."
"We saw him fall."
"Let me speak."
Examples: "You wouldn't dare forget."
"We saw him fall."
"Let me speak."
Even though the infinitive is a verb
form, it may be used as (1) a noun, (2) an adverb, or (3) an adjective.
- As a noun, an infinitive can be used
(a) as the subject of a sentence ("To err is human."),
(b) as the object of a verb ("She likes to ski."), or
(c) as the predicate nominative ("To know him is to love him."). - An infinitive can also function as an adverb:
"He worked hard to succeed." In this sentence, "to
succeed" explains "worked."
- An infinitive can also function as an adjective:
"She gave me a newspaper to read." "To
read" explains "newspaper." In many ways, the infinitive is
"unlimited."
THE GERUND
A gerund is the present participle
("ing") form of a verb, used as a noun.
Example: "Walking is good exercise."
Example: "Walking is good exercise."
In English, a gerund functions as a
noun but keeps some of the characteristics of a verb.
(1) Like a verb, it can take an object.
Example: "Walking home saves money." "Home" is the object of "walking."
(2) Like a verb, a gerund can be modified by an adverb.
Example: "According to some doctors, walking fast is the best form of exercise." "Fast" explains "walking."
(1) Like a verb, it can take an object.
Example: "Walking home saves money." "Home" is the object of "walking."
(2) Like a verb, a gerund can be modified by an adverb.
Example: "According to some doctors, walking fast is the best form of exercise." "Fast" explains "walking."
The gerund may also be used as the
object of a preposition (preposition + gerund).
Examples: "He earns his living by selling cars."
"A brave police officer saved her from drowning."
Examples: "He earns his living by selling cars."
"A brave police officer saved her from drowning."
Certain verbs ("admit,"
"appreciate," "avoid," "consider,"
"begin," "deny," "enjoy," escape,"
"finish," imagine," "keep," "miss,"
"postpone," "practice," "quit," resent,"
"resist," "suggest," "start," "stop")
are followed by gerunds (verb + gerund).
Sentences: "All the people in Egypt began crying very loudly."
"When the sun stopped shining, God proved that the Egyptian gods were powerless."
Sentences: "All the people in Egypt began crying very loudly."
"When the sun stopped shining, God proved that the Egyptian gods were powerless."
A gerund phrase is a group of words
that begins with a gerund and includes one or more words that tell more about
the gerund. Several of the sentences above contain gerund phrases.
Examples: "walking fast,"
"selling cars,"
"working late,"
"stealing the money,"
"crying very loudly."
Examples: "walking fast,"
"selling cars,"
"working late,"
"stealing the money,"
"crying very loudly."
THE PARTICIPLE
A participle is a verbal form that
"participates" in the functions of both verbs and adjectives. The word "participle" means
"participating."
- In English, the present participle form ends in
"ing."
a. When used as a verb, the present participle form shows continuing action.
Examples: "You are standing on holy ground" (present tense, progressive).
"The baby was crying and she felt sorry for it" (past tense, progressive).
"He will be waiting for us at the airport" (future tense, progressive).
"He has been waiting for us an hour" (present perfect tense, progressive).
"He had been waiting two hours when we arrived" (past perfect, progressive).
Notice that the tense is determined by the helping verbs used with the present participle form.
b. When used as an adjective, the present participle verbal modifies or explains a noun.
Examples: "Then I will do many amazing proofs in Egypt."
"Raise the walking stick in your hand over the Red Sea and the sea will split." - In English, the past participle form usually ends in
"ed" or "en."
a. When used as a verb, the past participle follows "have" or "has" to form the present perfect tense.
Example: "He had waited an hour." It is used with "had" to form the past perfect tense.
Example: "He had waited for two hours when his friends arrived."
It is used with "will have" or "shall have" to form the future perfect tense.
Example: "He will have waited two hours by the time they arrive."
b. When used as an adjective, the past participle verbal explains or modifies a noun.
Examples: "Jochebed was a married woman."
"Baby Moses was placed in a hidden basket."
A participial phrase is a group of
words that begins with a present or past participle and that tells more about a
noun or pronoun.
Example: "Pharoah, seated on his throne, refused to listen to Moses." This participial phrase tells about Pharaoh.
Example: "Pharoah, seated on his throne, refused to listen to Moses." This participial phrase tells about Pharaoh.
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