Types of verbs with examples

Welcome to the exciting world of verbs! In this article, we’ll learn about different types of verbs that make our sentences work. This guide is great for students, teachers, and parents.

A verb is a word that shows action or a state of being. For example, in the sentence “She runs every morning,” “runs” is a verb that shows action. In “He is happy,” “is” is a verb that describes a state of being.

Let’s start and see how verbs help us talk and write better.

Types of verbs

Verb	Finite Verb	Principal	Transitive	Causative
				Reciprocal
				Reflexive
				Factitive
			Intransitive	Copulative
		Auxiliary	Primary Auxiliary
			Modal Auxiliary
	Non Finite Verb

Finite Verbs Definitions, Examples and Uses:

These are verbs that change with the subject or tense. They show when an action happens and who does it. For example, in “She walks to school,” the verb “walks” matches the subject “she” and shows present tense.

Examples:

• He speaks fluently. (Present tense, third person singular)
• They went to the Theatre. (Past tense, third person plural)
• We are watching a cinema. (Present continuous tense, first-person plural)
• He runs every morning.
• He loves chocolate.
• We were singing at the party.
• He has finished his work.
• They didn’t go to the ceremony.
• You are learning grammar quickly.
• It rains often there.
• He can speak four languages.
• They did not understand the meaning of the question.
• She was working late last night.

Uses:

• They agree with the subject in number and person.
• They show the time of the action, like past, present, or future.
• They express different moods like orders, facts, or wishes.

There Are Two Types of Finite verbs.

• Principal Verb.
• Auxiliary Verb.

Principal Verbs Definition, Examples, and Uses:

These, also known as main or word verbs, are central to saying the main action or state in a sentence. They tell us what the subject is doing or what state it is in.

Examples:

• She sleeps six hours a night. (Action)
• The dog seems happy. (State of being)
• He writes plays. (Action)
• They live in the USA. (State of being)
• He feels tired. (State of being)
• We celebrated his birthday. (Action)
• He has a new Motorcycle. (State of being)
• He runs fast. (Action)
• He teaches English. (Action)
• It rained all day long. (Action)

Uses:

• Principal verbs can stand alone in a sentence.
• They convey the primary meaning or action.
• They are key to understanding the main event or condition described in a sentence.

There are two types of Principal Verbs.

• Transitive.
• Intransitive.

Transitive Verbs Definition, Examples, and Uses:

These require a direct object to complete their meaning. The direct object receives the action of the verb and answers the question “what?” or “whom?” after the verb.

Examples:

• He holds his phone. (The phone is the object being held.)
• He reads the book. (The book is the object being read.)
• They are enjoying the concert. (The concert is the object enjoyed.)
• He kicked the football. (The ball is the object being kicked.)
• They painted the wall. (The wall is the object being painted.)
• He bought a new car. (A new car is the object bought.)
• He loves his dog. (His dog is the object of love.)
• He eats an apple. (An apple is the object eaten.)
• He cleaned the room. (The room is the object cleaned.)
• They need some help. (Some help is the object needed.)

Uses:

• These are essential for expressing actions that affect something or someone.
• They help provide clear and complete information about what is happening in a sentence.

There are four types of transitive verbs

• Causative verbs.
• Reciprocal verbs.
• Reflexive verbs.
• Factitive verbs.

Causative Verbs Definition, Examples, and Uses:

They express that someone or something causes another to do something. Common causative verbs include make, have, get, and let. They typically appear with an object followed by another verb in its base form or an infinitive.

Examples:

• She made him apologize. (He apologized because she caused it.)
• I had my assistant arrange the meeting. (The assistant arranged the meeting because I caused it.)
• They got the mechanic to check the car. (The mechanic checked the car because They caused it.)
• Let him go! (Allowing him to go.)
• She had her hair cut yesterday. (Someone else cut her hair because she caused it.)
• I’ll get my brother to call you. (My brother will call because I will cause it.)
• She made her children clean their rooms. (Her children cleaned the room because she caused it.)
• They let the cat out in the morning. (They allowed  the cat to go out.)
• Have him send the documents as soon as possible. (Cause him to send the documents.)
• She got her computer fixed. (Someone fixed her computer because she caused it.)

Uses:

They show authority or influence over others’ actions.

Useful for indicating that an action is prompted or allowed by someone else.

Reciprocal Verbs Definition, Examples, and Uses :

These show mutual actions or relationships. They are used when two or more subjects perform the same action towards each other or participate together in an action.

Examples :

• They hugged each other. (Both parties engaged in hugging.)
• The partners agreed with each other. (Both partners showed agreement.)
• We met each other at the meeting. (Both parties participated in the meeting.)
• The teams played against each other. (Both teams participated in the game.)
• They exchanged gifts with each other. (Gifts were given and received mutually.)
• The countries negotiated with each other. (Both countries were involved in the negotiation.)
• They helped each other with the work. (Mutual assistance in work.)
• The students taught each other English. (Both students engaged in teaching and learning.)
• They looked at each other. (Mutual action of looking.)
• Friends borrow from and lend to each other. (Mutual actions of borrowing and lending.)

Uses:

• They describe shared or mutual actions.
• Useful for highlighting cooperation or mutual interaction.

Reflexive Verbs Definition, Examples, and Uses:

These are verbs where the subject and the object are the same person or thing; the action of the verb is directed back at the subject. These verbs are often followed by reflexive pronouns like myself, yourself, himself, herself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves to indicate that the subject performs and receives the action.

Examples:

• He prepares himself for the exam. (I prepare me.)
• He blamed himself for the mistake. (He blamed his.)
• She introduced herself at the meeting. (she introduced her.)
• They enjoyed themselves at the party. (they enjoyed them.)
• You must take care of yourself. (You take care of you.)
• The dog cleaned itself. (The dog cleaned it.)
• They pride themselves on being punctual. (They pride them.)
• He found himself lost in the forest. (He found him.)
• She taught herself to play the guitar. (She taught her.)
• They should prepare themselves for the journey. (They prepare Themselves)

Uses:

They emphasize the subject’s role in the action.

Useful for indicating that the action does not extend beyond the subject.

Factitive Verbs Definition, Examples, and Uses:

These are used to express the resulting condition or state of a person, place, or thing caused by the action of the verb. These verbs typically require a direct object and an additional noun or adjective to describe the new state of the object, known as the object complement.

Examples:

• They elected her president. (They made her president.)
• The teacher named him the best student. (The teacher declared him the best student.)
• We made him captain of the team. (We appointed his as captain.)
• He considers the deal fair. (He judges the deal to be fair.)
• She found the lecture interesting. (She judged the lecture to be interesting.)
• He painted the room bright blue. (He changed the room’s color to bright blue.)
• They deemed the project feasible. (They judged the project to be feasible.)
• She appointed him as his advisor. (she made him her advisor.)
• The jury found him guilty. (The jury declared him guilty.)
• We chose her to lead the project. (We designated her as leader.)

Uses:

• They specify the transformation or new state brought about by the subject’s action.
• Useful for assignments, designations, judgments, and transformations.

Intransitive Verbs: Definition, Examples, and Uses

It does not necessarily direct object. It specifies an action, occurrence, or state of being.

Examples:

• The baby slept peacefully. (No object is affected.)
• She arrived late. (No object receives arrival.)
• Birds fly in the sky. (Flying is not done to something.)
• The baby smiled warmly. (No object receives the smile.)
• He danced all night. (Dancing does not act on an object.)
• The sun shines brightly. (Shining does not need an object.)
• She coughed loudly. (Coughing is not done to something.)
• The dog purred softly. (Purring does not need an object.)
• The kids fell on the floor. (Falling does not have an object.)

It snowed last night. (Snowing does not act on an object.)

Uses:

• They are used to describe actions that do not transfer to an object.
• They are useful for expressing complete thoughts without the need for additional information.

There is another type of intransitive verb is Copulative verb.

Copulative Verbs Definition, Examples, and Uses:

These also known as linking verbs or copulas, connect the subject of a sentence to a subject complement. These describe or identify the subject. They do not show action but instead describe a state or condition. Common copulative verbs include being, seem, appear, feel, sound, get, become, taste, and look.

Examples:

• He is happy. (Describes his state.)
• The cake tastes delicious. (Describes how the cake is.)
• She seems tired today. (Describes her apparent condition.)
• We became friends. (Shows a state change.)
• The music sounds loud. (Describes how the music is perceived.)
• She looks wonderful tonight. (Describes appearance.)
• The room feels cold. (Describes the sensation of the room.)
• He appears confused. (Describes his visible condition.)
• The fruits turned brown. (Shows a change in condition.)
• The sky became dark suddenly. (Describes a state change.)

Uses:

• They are essential for linking the subject to a description or identifier.
• They are used extensively in English to provide information about the subject without expressing an action.
• They are particularly useful in descriptive contexts, where the state, appearance, or condition of the subject is being detailed.

Auxiliary Verbs Definition, Examples, and Uses:

It is known as supporting verb in a sentence. They help form different tenses, moods, and voices of the main verbs.

Examples:

• He is sleeping right now. (Present continuous)
• We have finished our work. (Present perfect)
• They will go to the park. (Future simple)
• They can swim well. (Ability)
• She should study for the test. (Advice)
• She is going to the store. (Future intent)
• We were watching a movie. (Past continuous)
• You might see her at the party. (Possibility)
• She has been working here for three months. (Present perfect continuous)
• He does not like spinach. (Negation)

Uses:

• They modify the main verb to form of complex tenses.
• They help express necessity, possibility, or other conditions.
• They are crucial for asking questions and making negative statements.

There are two types of Auxiliary Verbs.

• Primary Auxiliary Verb
• Modal Auxiliary Verb

Primary Auxiliary Verbs Definition, Examples, and Uses:

Primary auxiliary verbs in English include “do”, ”be”, and “have”. These verbs assist in forming questions, negatives, emphatic expressions, and different tenses but usually do not carry significant meaning on their own.

Examples:

• He is going to the market. (Progressive tense)
• They have seen that movie. (Perfect tense)
• Do you want tea? (Question)
• He does work hard. (Emphasis)
• They are playing football. (Present continuous)
• He has been studying all day. (Perfect continuous)
• Are you coming over? (Question)
• Have you ever been to London? (Question)
• He is loved by everyone. (Passive voice)

Uses:

• They help form different verb tenses.
• They are used to make questions and negative statements.
• They add emphasis to the normal verb forms.

Modal Auxiliary Verbs Definition, Examples, and Uses:

These verbs, including can, could, may, might, must, ought, shall, should, will, and would, express necessity, possibility, permission, and other conditions. They do not change form for tense or subject.

Examples:

• He can swim very fast. (Capability)
• He should see a doctor. (Advice)
• She might come tomorrow. (Possibility)
• We must finish the work today. (Necessity)
• She would have called you. (Past conditional)
• May I open the window? (Permission)
• Could you help me with this? (Polite request)
• Will you go to the prom with me? (Future intention)
• Should have checked the weather. (Past advice)
• Must have been tired last night. (Assumption about the past)

Uses:

• These verbs help express abilities, possibilities, and permissions.
• They are essential for giving advice and making requests.
• These indicate future intentions and past conditions when combined with a past participle.

Non-finite Verbs Definition with Examples and Uses:

They don’t change form based on the subject or tense. They include infinitives, gerunds, and participles. They act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in sentences. For instance, “Running marathons is tiring,” uses “running” as a noun.

Examples:

• To run marathons is his goal. (Infinitive used as a subject)
• Running marathons is tiring. (Gerund used as a subject)
• Taken by surprise, she hesitated. (Participle used as an adjective)
• To eat healthier is important. (Infinitive as subject)
• Eating French fries is fun. (Gerund as subject)
• Baked potatoes are delicious. (Participle as adjective)
• To understand calculus can be challenging. (Infinitive as subject)
• Understanding the problem is the first step. (Gerund as subject)
• Excited, he opened the gift. (Participle as adjective)
• To go there by car is faster. (Infinitive as adverb)
• Going to bed early is good for you. (Gerund as subject)
• Written quickly, the essay had errors. (Participle as adjective)
• To win the game, We played hard. (Infinitive as adverb)

Uses:

• Gerunds work as nouns.
• Participles describe nouns like adjectives.
• Infinitives often tell why something is done.

Some other verbs are used in English grammar

• Regular verbs
• Irregular Verbs
• Linking Verbs
• Phrasal Verbs
• Action verbs
• Infinitives verbs
• Conjugating Verbs
• Incomplete verbs

Regular Verbs Definition, Examples, and Uses:

They follow a predictable pattern in English. To form the past tense, you typically add “-ed” or “-d” to the verb’s base form.

Examples:

• Walk – walked.
• Laugh – laughed.
• Call – called.
• Play – played.
• Listen – listened.

Uses:

• Easy to learn due to their predictable pattern.
• Consistently formed, aiding in clear communication.

Irregular Verbs Definition, Examples, and Uses:

They do not follow the standard rules for conjugating verbs in the past tense. These verbs often have unique past tense forms.

Examples:

• Go – went.
• Do-did
• Write-Wrote
• Take – took.
• Sing – sang.
• Feel – felt.
• Begin – began.

Uses:

Common in everyday language, making them essential to learn.

Show diversity in verb forms, enriching language expression.

Linking Verbs Definition, Examples, and Uses:

They connect the subject of a sentence to a noun or adjective that describes it. Common linking verbs include forms of “to be” and verbs relating to senses.

Examples:

• She is happy.
• You seem tired.
• The burger smells delicious.
• He became a teacher.
• That feels good.

Uses:

• Help attribute properties or identities to subjects.
• Essential for forming descriptions and expressing sensory information.

Phrasal Verbs Definition, Examples, and Uses:

These consist of a verb plus a preposition or adverb that alters the meaning of the original verb.

Examples:

• Give up.
• Look after.
• Break down.
• Fill out.
• Turn off.

Uses:

• Common in spoken English, making conversations more natural.
• Add idiomatic meaning, enriching the language.

Action Verbs: Definition, Examples, and Uses

They express specific actions done by the subject of the sentence.

Examples:

• Jump.
• Write.
• Drive.
• Swim.
• Eat.

Uses:

• Describe what the subject is doing.
• Crucial for storytelling and reporting.

Infinitive Verbs Definition, Examples, and Uses:

They are  the basic form of a verb preceded by “to.” It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

Examples:

• To run.
• To do.
• To write.
• To play.
• To be.
• To swim.
• To think.
• To eat.

Uses:

• Versatile in usage, fitting multiple roles in sentences.
• Important for expressing desires, intentions, and objectives.

Conjugating Verbs Definition, Examples, and Uses:

Conjugation involves changing a verb form to provide information about the action, including tense, person, and number.

Examples:

• I walk.
• She walks.
• He walked.
• We are walking.
• They have walked.

Uses:

• Indicates when an action takes place.
• Shows who is acting.

Incomplete Verbs: Definition, Examples, and Uses

They require additional words to form a complete thought.

Examples:

• I am.
• She looks.
• They become.
• It seems.
• He feels.

Uses:

• Often used for describing states or conditions.
• Crucial for forming linking and descriptive statements.
• What are action verbs?

Action verbs express physical or mental activities. For example, “run,” “think,” and “jump” are action verbs because they describe what the subject is doing.

To wrap up, understanding verbs makes speaking and writing clearer. Refer back to these examples to boost both your own skills and those of others. Practice regularly and watch your language skills improve!

FAQ

What is a linking verb?

Linking verbs attach the subject to a noun or adjective that defines it. Examples include “am,” “is,” and “appear,” such as in the sentences “He is happy” or “The flowers smell nice.”

Can you define modal verbs?

Modal verbs modify the main verb to express necessity, possibility, or permission. Examples include “can,” “might,” and “must,” used in phrases like “You must see this” or “I might go later.”

What distinguishes transitive verbs?

Transitive verbs require a direct object to complete their meaning, as in “She throws the ball” where “throws” is the verb and “ball” is the object.

What are phrasal verbs?

Phrasal verbs consist of a verb plus a preposition or adverb creating a new meaning, like “give up” or “look after.”

What is the role of stative verbs?

Stative verbs describe a state or condition rather than an action, such as “believe,” “love,” or “own.” For instance, “I love pizza” or “We believe in fairness.”

What are irregular verbs?

Irregular verbs do not follow the standard rules of conjugation. Examples include “go” (went), “buy” (bought), and “eat” (ate).

Exercise:

1. She ___ her homework every night. (does/do)

2. The children ___ outside after school. (plays/play)

3. Tom ___ his keys in the office. (left/leaves)

4. Birds ___ in the trees. (sings/sing)

5. The teacher ___ a book during breaks. (reads/read)

6. My brother ___ his bike to school. (rides/ride)

7. The sun ___ in the east. (rises/rise)

8. The baby ___ milk from the bottle. (drinks/drink)

9. The gardener ___ the plants once a week. (waters/water)

10. She ___ happy about the surprise party. (seems/seem)

11. The movies ___ at nine o’clock. (starts/start)

12. My dog ___ his food quickly. (eats/eat)

13. He ___ the door before leaving. (locks/lock)

14. The cars ___ at the red light. (stops/stop)

15. The audience ___ loudly for the performer. (claps/clap)

16. Our team ___ the game last Friday. (wins/win)

17. He often ___ jokes. (tells/tell)

18. The clock ___ every hour. (chimes/chime)

19. The baker ___ bread early in the morning. (bakes/bake)

20. She ___ to music on her way to work. (listens/listen)

21. The teacher ___ a lot of papers to grade. (has/have)

22. My sister ___ the table for dinner. (sets/set)

23. The athlete ___ for the competition. (trains/train)

24. He ___ his hand to ask a question. (raises/raise)

25. The airplane ___ at the airport. (lands/land)

26. The guest ___ at the hotel for two nights. (stays/stay)

27. The cat ___ after the mouse. (chases/chase)

28. She ___ the letter carefully. (folds/fold)

29. The painter ___ the wall blue. (paints/paint)

30. The dancers ___ beautifully together. (dances/dance)

31. My friend ___ me every weekend. (calls/call)

32. The moon ___ bright tonight. (shines/shine)

33. The chef ___ the soup before serving. (tastes/taste)

34. The child ___ to school by himself. (walks/walk)

35. They ___ the movie last night. (watched/watch)

36. The students ___ in the library during exams. (studies/study)

37. The bus ___ at every stop. (pauses/pause)

38. She ___ her teeth twice a day. (brushes/brush)

39. The birds ___ south for the winter. (flies/fly)

40. He ___ his shoes before entering the house. (removes/remove)

41. The teacher ___ the students for their hard work. (praises/praise)

42. The dog ___ when it sees strangers. (growls/growl)

43. She ___ her appointment because she was sick. (cancels/cancel)

44. The player ___ a goal during the match. (scores/score)

45. The photographer ___ many pictures at the wedding. (takes/take)

46. The computer ___ down unexpectedly. (shuts/shut)

47. The athlete ___ over the high jump bar. (jumps/jump)

48. The journalist ___ the article in one hour. (writes/write)

49. The children ___ excited for the trip. (gets/get)

50. The wind ___ the leaves around. (blows/blow)

**Answer Sheet**

1. Does

2. Play

3. Left

4. Sing

5. Reads

6. Rides

7. Rises

8. Drinks

9. Waters

10. Seems

11. Starts

12. Eats

13. Locks

14. Stop

15. Claps

16. Won

17. Tells

18. Chimes

19. Bakes

20. Listens

21. Has

22. Sets

23. Trains

24. Raises

25. Lands

26. Stays

27. Chases

28. Folds

29. Paints

30. Dance

31. Calls

32. Shines

33. Tastes

34. Walks

35. Watched

36. Study

37. Pauses

38. Brushes

39. Fly

40. Removes

41. Praises

42. Growls

43. Cancels

44. Scores

45. Takes

46. Shuts

47. Jumps

48. Writes

49. Get

50. Blows