Verbs: Definition and Usage Tips
Unravel the essence of verbs with this comprehensive guide. Learn how to wield verbs effectively in your writing and communication through practical examples and strategies. Grasp the nuances of verb usage to enhance your language skills and elevate your expression. Whether you're a student, writer, or language enthusiast, this resource will deepen your understanding of verbs and empower you to communicate more effectively.
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Presentation Transcript
Verbs Definition and Use
Parts of a Sentence A sentence needs two parts: 1. Subject 2. Verb But what exactly is a verb? Common (weak) definition: A verb shows action or a state of being Most everyone agrees on the above definition, but is it a helpful one?
Action or State of being doesn t help find the verb Sample sentence: Taking dangerous risks seems to frighten most hardworking people. Which words are action words? Let s underline the ones that show or imply some action. Takingdangerous risksseems to frighten most hardworkingpeople.
A Working Definition of Verbs Verbs always tell the time (also called the tense) of the sentence. To find a verb in a sentence change the time of the sentence and find the word that must change for it to make sense. Choose some time words for the past and future, such as "Last year" or "In the past" or "Next year" or "In the future." Then put that phrase in front of the sentence you are trying to find the verb in and see which word changes. Let's add one of these phrases to our previous sentence: Last year, taking dangerous risks seems to frighten most hardworking people. For this to makes sense, seems would have to change to seemed. That means that seems is the verb in the sentence because it's the word that changes with the time (tense).
-ing words and to + verb Keep in mind: A verbal (verb + ing) is never a complete verb in a sentence all by itself. running, sleeping, being, reading aren t complete verbs without a helper like is, are, was, were. 1. An infinitive (to + verb) is never the functional verb in the sentence. to study, to win, to love, to buy don t function as verbs because of the to in front 2. A sentence can have more than one verb. 3. Also note: Some verbs seem to consist of two words: Example: I am hoping to change jobs soon. The complete verb is "am hoping" but the important verb to look for is the part that carries the time of the sentence.
