1.

Finite Verbs

Definition: Finite verbs are verbs that change according to the subject, tense, and number. They
are the main verbs in sentences and can stand alone.

● Example:
○ She runs every morning.
○ They run every morning.

In the first sentence, "runs" changes based on the subject "she." In the second, it changes to "run"
because the subject is plural.

2. Non-finite Verbs

Definition: Non-finite verbs are verbs that do not change with tense, number, or person. They
include infinitives, gerunds, and participles.

● Types of Non-finite Verbs:

Infinitives

The infinitive is the base form of the verb, often preceded by "to" (e.g., to eat, to run, to write).
Infinitives can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in a sentence.

Types of Infinitives:

● Full Infinitive (to + base form): to run, to dance

● Bare Infinitive (base form without "to"): run, dance (used after modal verbs and
certain structures)

Examples of Infinitive Uses:

● As a noun:
○ To read is enjoyable. (subject)
○ He wants to leave. (object)
● As an adjective:
○ I have a book to read. (modifies "book")
 ● As an adverb:
○ She came to help. (modifies "came" by explaining why)

Infinitives can act like a noun, adjective, or adverb, depending on their function in the sentence.

Bare infinitives are used after modal verbs (e.g., "can," "should," "might") or verbs like "make",
"let", "see", "hear" (e.g., "I saw her dance.").

Gerunds

A gerund is the -ing form of a verb that functions as a noun in a sentence.

Characteristics:

○ Form: Verb + "-ing" (e.g., running, reading, swimming)

○ Function: Acts as a noun, which means it can be the subject, object, or
complement in a sentence.
○ Gerunds are always used as nouns, even though they look like verbs.
○ They can often be replaced by a regular noun (e.g., "Reading" → "Books").

As a subject:

● Swimming is my favorite activity.

As an object:

● She enjoys reading novels.

As a complement:

● His favourite hobby is cooking.

Participles

A participle is a verb form that can function as an adjective or be part of a verb tense.

Types of Participles:

● Present Participle: Verb + "-ing" (e.g., running, singing)

● Past Participle: Usually the -ed form for regular verbs (e.g., played, walked) or an
irregular form for irregular verbs (e.g., eaten, spoken).

Present Participle:

● Functions as an adjective or helps form continuous tenses.

Examples:
○ The running water is cold. (Adjective)
○ She is running fast. (Part of the Present Continuous tense)

Past Participle:

● Used in perfect tenses, passive voice, or as an adjective.

Examples:
○ She has finished the project. (Present Perfect tense)
○ The food was eaten quickly. (Passive Voice)
○ The broken vase was expensive. (Adjective)

● Present participles always end in "-ing" and describe ongoing actions.

● Past participles usually end in "-ed" (for regular verbs) or have irregular forms and often
describe completed actions.
3. Transitive Verbs

Definition: Transitive verbs require a direct object to complete their meaning.

● Example:
○ She writes a letter.
○ They bought a car.

In both examples, the action of the verb is transferred to the object ("letter" and "car").

4. Intransitive Verbs

Definition: Intransitive verbs do not require a direct object to complete their meaning. They can
stand alone.

● Example:
○ She sleeps peacefully.
○ They run fast.

No object is needed to complete these sentences.

5. Linking Verbs (Copulative Verbs)

Definition: Linking verbs connect the subject to a subject complement, often describing a state or
condition rather than showing an action. They often include forms of "to be."

● Example:
○ She is a teacher.
○ The soup tastes delicious.

In these examples, "is" and "tastes" connect the subject to its description.
6. Stative (State) Verbs

Definition: Stative verbs describe a state of being, condition, or situation, and they typically
aren’t used in continuous (progressive) forms.

● Example:
○ She knows the answer.
○ They believe in honesty.

These verbs describe mental states, possession, emotions, or senses.

7. Action Verbs (Dynamic Verbs)

Definition: Action verbs show physical or mental actions that someone or something performs.

● Example:
○ She runs every day.
○ He thinks deeply.

Action verbs can describe activities or processes that can be observed.

8. Strong Verbs

Definition: Strong verbs are irregular verbs that form their past tense by changing the vowel
inside the verb, not by adding "-ed."

● Example:
○ Sing → Sang (Past), Sung (Past Participle).
○ Drive → Drove (Past), Driven (Past Participle).

These verbs change significantly in their past forms.

9. Weak Verbs

Definition: Weak verbs (regular verbs) form their past tense by adding "-ed" or "-d" to the base
form.

● Example:
○ Play → Played.
○ Work → Worked.

They do not undergo significant vowel changes.

10. Auxiliary Verbs (Helping Verbs)

Definition: Auxiliary verbs are used alongside a main verb to form different tenses, moods, or
voices.

1. Primary Auxiliary Verbs

These are the most commonly used auxiliary verbs and are used to form various tenses, aspects,
voices, and questions. They include "be," "have," and "do."

● "Be" (am, is, are, was, were, being, been):

■ Example: The book was written by him.
● "Have" (have, has, had):
■ Example: They have eaten dinner. (Present Perfect)
■ Example: She had finished her homework before I arrived. (Past Perfect)

● "Do" (do, does, did):

■ Example: Do you like coffee?
■ Example: She did not go to the party.
■ Example: I do like chocolate!
 2. Modal Auxiliary Verbs

Modal verbs express ideas such as ability, permission, obligation, probability, and necessity.
They are followed by the base form of the main verb and do not change form based on the
subject (no -s in the third person singular).

The key modal verbs are:

● Can, could (ability, possibility, permission):

○ Example: She can swim.
○ Example: Could you help me? (Polite request)
● May, might (possibility, permission):
○ Example: It may rain tomorrow.
○ Example: May I come in?
● Must (necessity, obligation, strong recommendation):
○ Example: You must finish your work.
● Shall, should (suggestion, advice, future intentions):
○ Example: Shall we go for a walk? (Suggestion)
○ Example: You should see a doctor. (Advice)
● Will, would (future action, willingness, polite request):
○ Example: I will call you tomorrow. (Future action)
○ Example: Would you like some coffee? (Polite request)
● Ought to (advice, expectation):
○ Example: You ought to study more for the exam.

3. Semi-Modal Auxiliary Verbs

Semi-modals are verbs that function like modal verbs but are not "pure" modals. These include
phrases like "have to," "need to," "be able to," "used to," and "dare."

● Have to (necessity or obligation):

○ Example: I have to leave early today.
● Need to (necessity):
○ Example: You need to complete the form.
● Be able to (ability):
○ Example: She is able to swim well.
● Used to (habit in the past):
○ Example: He used to play soccer when he was younger.
● Dare (sometimes used as a modal in negative sentences or questions):
○ Example: Dare he go alone?
 4. Marginal Modal Verbs

Marginal modals are less commonly used modals but still serve the purpose of modals to a
degree. They include "need," "dare," "ought to," and "used to."

● Need (necessity or obligation):

○ Example: You need not worry. (More formal use in negative sentences)
● Dare (used to express courage or challenge):
○ Example: Dare you try it?
○

11. Phrasal Verbs

Definition: Phrasal verbs consist of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs)
that change the meaning of the original verb.

● Example:
○ She gave up smoking.
○ They looked after the kids.

The meaning of "gave up" and "looked after" changes when combined with their particles.

12. Causative Verbs

Definition: Causative verbs indicate that the subject causes someone else to do something.
Common causative verbs include "make," "let," "have," and "get."

● Example:
○ She made him finish the work.
○ They let the kids stay up late.
Key points

Finite vs. Non-finite categorizes verbs based on whether they change according to tense, person,
or number.
Transitive vs. Intransitive categorizes verbs based on whether they need a direct object.
Linking, Action, and Stative Verbs describe whether the verb shows action, state, or connects
the subject to a complement.
Strong vs. Weak Verbs describe how verbs change in their past forms.
Auxiliary and Modal Verbs are helping verbs that work with main verbs to express various
meanings.
Phrasal and Causative Verbs describe verbs used with prepositions, reflexive pronouns, or
when one person causes another to act.

Identify the types of Verb

1. The dog barked loudly last night.

2. He wants to learn Spanish.
3. Running is a great way to stay fit.
4. She can speak three languages fluently.
5. He promised to help me with the project.
6. The teacher is very knowledgeable.
7. They decided to go for a walk.
8. To travel is my biggest dream.
9. He should apologize for his behaviour.
10. The singing bird woke me up.