TYPES OF VERBS

1.Main verbs

Main verbs have meanings related to actions, events and states. Most verbs in English are main verbs:

• We went home straight after the show.

• It snowed a lot that winter.

• Several different types of volcano exist.

2. Linking verbs

Some main verbs are called linking verbs (or copular verbs). These verbs are not followed by objects. Instead, they are followed by phrases which give extra information about the subject (e.g. noun phrases, adjective phrases, adverb phrases or prepositional phrases). Linking verbs include:

Appear, feel, look, seem, sound and be.

A face appeared at the window. It was Pauline. (prepositional phrase)

He’s a cousin of mine. (noun phrase)

This coat feels good. (adjective phrase)

She remained outside while her sister went into the hospital. (adverb phrase)

3. Auxiliary verbs

There are three auxiliary verbs in English: be, do and have. Auxiliary verbs come before main verbs.

I’m waiting for Sally to come home. (continuous)

They didn’t know which house it was. (negative)

I’ve lost my memory stick. Have you seen it anywhere? (present perfect)

4. Modal verbs

The main modal verbs are:

Must, should, can, may, would, could, might, shall, will

Modal verbs have meanings connected with degrees of certainty and necessity:

We’ll be there around 7.30. (speaker is quite certain)

A new window could cost around £500. (speaker is less certain)

I must ring the tax office. (speaker considers this very necessary)

5. State and action verbs

A verb refers to an action, event or state.

Action

We can use the simple or continuous form of action verbs:

I cleaned the room as quickly as possible.

She’s watching television at the moment. 

Event

We can use the simple or continuous form of event verbs:

Four people died in the crash.

It’s raining again.

State

We usually use the simple form rather than the continuous form of state verbs:

I don’t know the name of the street.

Who owns this house?