Verbs

Word Classes (Parts of Speech)

1. Definition
- Words which express action, existence or condition.

- Two general categories: action and linking

Action – expresses action
e.g She ran home from school.

Linking – joins the subject of the sentence to some word(s) in the predicate.
e.g I am happy. (be)

- A few verbs can be either linking or action:
e.g Action We taste the fine wines.
Linking The wine tastes fine.

Action I feel some pain from the injury.
Linking The comforter feels soft.



2. Verb Phrases
- Are composed of more than one verb
e.g The mayor has remained in the office for three consecutive terms.

Remained is the principal/main verb – can express complete action, existence or condition – always positioned at the end of the verb phrase.

Has is the auxiliary/helping verbs that precedes the principal/main verb – it specify the characteristics of the principal verb but can’t stand alone as complete verbs. (others: be, have, do , can, may, will, shall and must).
e.g I was shopping for a new pair of shoes. (past tense)
John is boarding the plane as we speak. (present)
I will arrive shortly. (future tense)

other links: http://www.arts.uottawa.ca/writcent/hypergrammar/verbs.html