VERBS

VERB

Verbs have traditionally been defined as action words are doing words. The verb in the following sentence is rides

Paul rides a bicycle 

Here the verb rides certainly denotes an action which paul performs the action of riding a bicycle. How-ever, there are many verbs which do not denote an action at all. For example, in paul seems unhappy,we cannot say that the verb seems denotes and action. We would hardly say that paul is performing any action when he seems and unhappy. So the nation of verbs as action words is some what limited 

kinds of verbs

(1)Finite verbs

(2)Non finite verbs 

(3)Transitive verbs 

(4)Intransitive verbs 

(1)Finite verbs:

Finite verbs are those verbs that have a definite relation with the subject or noun. This verbs are usually the main verb of a clause or sentence and can be changed according to the noun they are used only in present and past tense

she walks home 

-Here we see that the finite verb is walks and the pronoun is she 

She walked home 

-Here we can see how the web changed/ modified to change the tense of the sentence 

(2) Non-finite verbs: 

These verbs cannot be the main verb of a clause or sentence as they do not talk about the action that is being performed by the subject or noun. They do not indicate any tense, mood or gender. They are used as nouns adverbs and adjectives. They are also used to form non-finite clause which are simply dependent clauses that use non finite verbs

Non-finite verbs are of the following three types: 

(a)Infinite 

(b)Gerund 

(c)Participle 

(a) Infinite verbs: 

An infinite is formed by using the word to before the verb in its stem word functions as a noun, adjective or adverb

For Ex- He was made to clean his room 

             Shalini loves to talk

(b) Gerund verbs: 

A gerund is formed by adding ing to a verb. It functions as a noun 

For Ex- Swimming is very good for the body 

             Smoking is prohibited in the hospital 

Note: with the following verbs/ adjectives/ phrases V1+ing is used after to

For Ex- verb + used to, accustomed to ,averse to, with a view to, addicted to ,devoted to, addition to, look forward to, object to, owing to, given to, taken to, prone to

For Ex- He is addicted to smoking 

             I am looking forward to meeting you 

-In other words, after all the prepositions (including to), if a verb comes, the verb has to be in V1 + ING

 

For Ex-  I am looking forward to meeting you 

              He is given to drinking 

              He is prone to making the same mistake again and again 

(c)Participle verb: 

A participle is usually formed by adding ing or ed to a verb. It functions as an adjective 

For Ex- The singing Bird was the main attraction at the event 

             The injured man was waiting for the doctor 

(3)Transitive verb: 

If a verb requires an object after it, it is called a transitive verb 

I saw the dog 

(the dog - direct object)

Lee ate the Pie 

(The Pie- direct object) 

(4)Intransitive verb: 

An intransitive verb is one that does not take a direct object. In other words, it is not done to someone or something. It only involves the subject

He laughed 

(laughed is an intransitive verb. It has no direct object)

He told a joke 

(told is a transitive verb. The direct object is a joke. You can tell something. You can tell a story,a lie, a joke etc)

 MODALS 

A model (like can, must, should etc) is a verb which is used with another verb in order to express an idea such as possibility, responsibility, compulsion etc .

For Ex- You must come on Wednesday

             You should bring this book tomorrow

Note: A model is always followed by the first form of a verb

For Ex- One must obey one's elders 

USES OF MODELS 

1.can: 

can is used to denote ability 

For Ex- I can run as fast as you 

can is also used to denote request 

For Ex- can I use your pen?

can is also used for giving permission 

For Ex- you can use my pen 

2.could: 

Could is used as fast participle of can 

For Ex- when she was younger, she could run 10 km and not get without tried

could can also be used to show possibility 

For Ex- a lot of money could be saved

 

3.may:

may is used to denote possibility 

For Ex- I may come tomorrow 

may is used to denote permission 

For Ex- you may come in 

may can you also be used for taking permission 

For Ex- may I come in? 

4.might: 

might can be used to denote possibility 

For Ex- he might have reached there by now 

might also denotes suggestion 

For Ex- you might try a little more salt in the curry next time 

5.must: 

must denotes necessity 

For Ex- one must sleep for 8-10 hours 

must is also used to denote strong possibility 

For Ex- he looks quite sad, he must have failed 

6.would: 

would is used to refer to future time 

For Ex- I would love to see you tomorrow 

would is also used to denote choice 

For Ex- I would prefer tea to coffee 

would is also used to make a request 

For Ex- would you please lend me 10 rupees 

would is also used to express a wish 

For Ex- I wish, I would succeed in my life 

would is also used to express an opinion 

For Ex- I think he would pass the test 

7.should:

should is used to denote duty 

For Ex- you should respect your teachers 

should is also used to express an advice For Ex- you should work hard to pass the exam 

Note: conjunction lest is generally followed by should 

For Ex- work hard lest you should fail 

8.ought to: 

ought to is used to denote moral duty 

For Ex- you ought to help poors 

            we ought not to disrespect our elders 

9.used to: 

used to is used to denote something that is done or experienced in the past but is no longer done or experienced 

For Ex- I used to play cricket but now I didn't like it 

             I did not use to eat egg 

10.dare:

dare is used to denote challenge or courage 

For Ex- nobody dares to oppose him 

             they dare not ask for any further loan 

11.need:

need denote requirements 

For Ex- I need to buy a new house 

             you need not take off your blazer

12. will:

 will is used to talk about the future

For Ex-ravi will call you tomorrow 

will is used to make a request 

For Ex- will you give me your phone? 

13.shall:

Shall is used instead of will when the subject is first person (I and we) 

For Ex- I shall go to school tomorrow 

Note: In modern English, will can be used with both I and will as well.