Janice Lozano
As an international student, learning how to use verbs effectively in a new language can be challenging. Verbs are essential to sentences as they represent the actions of the subject and show what they do, say, think, or feel. They can be categorised as action verbs, linking verbs, or helping verbs. Action verbs describe an action, such as run, jump, or eat. Linking verbs, on the other hand, connect the subject to other parts of the sentence, like the adjective uninjured in Jane appeared uninjured after the accident. Helping verbs are used with a second verb to show tense or form questions or negatives, such as has been in She has been jogging for a month. Understanding the different types of verbs and how to use them is a crucial step in mastering a new language and improving your writing skills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Action Verbs | Describe an action, like run, jump, kick, eat, break, cry, smile, or think |
| Action Verbs Sentence Structure | Subject --> Action Verb --> The Rest Of The Sentence |
| Helping Verbs | Used in a verb phrase with a second verb to show tense or form a question or a negative |
| Helping Verbs Usage | To show repeated action, belief, opinion, characteristics |
| Helping Verbs Form | Verb + -s/-es |
| Helping Verbs Examples | They work sometimes. She works at Gallaudet |
| Linking Verbs | Connect the subject of the sentence to information about that subject |
| Determining Linking Verbs | Substitute the word "is" for the verb in question. If the sentence still makes sense, it is a linking verb |
| Modals | A special kind of helping verb, used to show possibility, probability, and necessity |
| Modals Characteristics | Do not show tense, do not follow subject-verb agreement, are not conjugated, and do not add an "-s" in the third person singular |
| Strong Verbs | Action words that describe clear, vivid images without the need for additional words |
| Strong Verbs Usage | Replace weak verbs with dynamic ones that bring your sentences to life |
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What You'll Learn
- Action verbs: describe an action, like 'run', 'jump', or 'eat'
- Linking verbs: connect the subject to information about that subject, e.g. 'seem'
- Modals: a type of helping verb that shows possibility, probability, and necessity
- Helping verbs: used with a second verb to show tense or form a question
- Strong verbs: convey meaning clearly and make writing more engaging
Action verbs: describe an action, like 'run', 'jump', or 'eat'
Action verbs are an essential part of sentence structure and grammar. They describe the action performed by the subject of the sentence. For example, in the sentence "The boy kicked the ball", "kicked" is the action verb. Other examples of action verbs include "run", "jump", "eat", "smile", and "think".
Action verbs can be used to describe a variety of actions, from physical movements to mental or emotional states. For instance, "dance", "sing", and "laugh" are all action verbs that convey physical or audible actions. On the other hand, verbs like "love", "want", and "believe" express emotions or mental states.
When using action verbs, it's important to pay attention to the sentence structure. In most cases, the sentence structure follows the pattern: Subject -> Action Verb -> Object. For example, "The cat chased the mouse". Here, "the cat" is the subject, "chased" is the action verb, and "the mouse" is the object.
Action verbs can also be used to indicate repeated or habitual actions. In this case, the verb is often modified by adding "-s" or "-es". For example, "She works at the restaurant" indicates a habitual action. However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as when the subject is "I" or "you". For instance, "I work at the restaurant" is correct, but "I works at the restaurant" is incorrect.
Additionally, action verbs can be used to diversify and strengthen writing, especially in contexts like résumé writing. Strong action verbs can make your language more individual and expressive. For example, instead of saying "I created a new marketing strategy", using a stronger verb like "designed" or "conceived" adds more impact: "I designed a new marketing strategy that increased customer engagement".
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Linking verbs: connect the subject to information about that subject, e.g. 'seem'
Verbs are an essential part of sentence structure, and they can be broadly categorized into two groups: action verbs and linking verbs. Action verbs describe an action, such as "run", "jump", "eat", or "think". On the other hand, linking verbs connect the subject to information about that subject. For example, "She seems sad today". Here, the verb "seems" links the subject "she" with the information that she is feeling sad.
Linking verbs are often contrasted with action verbs, which refer to specific physical or mental actions or events. Linking verbs indicate conditions or states of being. For instance, in the sentence "The cake tastes good", the linking verb "tastes" describes the state of the cake. In contrast, the sentence "I tasted the cake" uses the verb "tasted" as an action verb, referring to the physical action of tasting the cake.
Linking verbs are characterized by their ability to define the subject or add more details about it. They often appear as sensory verbs like "appear", "look", "feel", "smell", "sound", or "taste". These sensory verbs can act as linking verbs when they describe the subject. For example, "Dinner smells burnt" or "The cat's fur felt silky". In these sentences, the linking verbs "smells" and "felt" provide information about the subject, enhancing the description and adding nuance to the sentence.
It's important to note that some verbs can be classified as both linking verbs and action verbs, depending on the context in which they are used. For example, the verb "look" can be used as a linking verb in the sentence "That man looks interesting", where it describes the man's appearance. However, in the sentence "Ross looks at his phone when he is bored", "looks" is used as an action verb, referring to the action of directing one's gaze towards an object.
To identify a linking verb, you can try replacing it with a conjugated form of the verb "be". If the sentence still makes sense, even with a slightly different meaning, it's likely a linking verb. For example, "Peter seems tired" can be changed to "Peter is tired" without losing its fundamental meaning. This tip can be helpful when you're unsure about the classification of a particular verb.
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Modals: a type of helping verb that shows possibility, probability, and necessity
Modals are a type of helping verb that shows possibility, probability, and necessity. They are used to express a range of different meanings and can help make a sentence more specific. For example, modals can be used to express obligation, such as "must" or "have to". "Must" shows a strong obligation or necessity, indicating that there is no choice but to perform the action. For example, "I must feed the dog before I go out." On the other hand, "have to" expresses a more external obligation, such as "I have to get up at 6 o'clock to get to work on time".
Modals can also be used to express probability or possibility. For example, "might", "may", or "could" can be used to indicate that something is possible but not guaranteed. "I might see you tomorrow if you're in the office." Similarly, "must" can be used when the speaker feels sure or confident about something, such as "You must be tired; you've been travelling all day."
Additionally, modals can be used to form questions or negatives. For example, "can't" indicates impossibility or something that the speaker is sure did not happen. "That can't be right." Modals can also express expectations about the future, such as "should" and "shouldn't", which indicate that something will probably be the case because it is normal or reasonable to expect. "You should feel better in a day or two."
It is important to note that modals do not show tense, do not follow subject-verb agreement, and are not conjugated. They are always followed by a verb in the infinitive form. Using the correct modal verb in the right context can be tricky but is important to avoid coming across as rude or demanding.
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Helping verbs: used with a second verb to show tense or form a question
Helping verbs, also called auxiliary verbs, are used with a second verb to show tense, form a question, or form a negative. They are essential for forming many different verb tenses and aspects. Helping verbs are always followed by a second verb and they show the perfect verb tenses, continuous/progressive verb tenses, and passive voice.
There are three categories of helping verbs: "Do/be/have", one-word modals, and two-word modals. The primary helping verbs "do", "be", and "have" form different tenses and questions. For example, "do" can be used as an action verb that stands alone in all its tenses, but when used as an auxiliary verb, it is always paired with another verb to create a complete verb phrase. "Be" or "to be" is also an important verb that can stand alone in all its tenses, but when used as an auxiliary verb, it is always paired with another verb to create a complete verb phrase. "Have" is another important verb that can stand alone in all its tenses and is usually used to denote ownership. When used as an auxiliary verb, it is always teamed up with another verb to create a complete verb phrase.
Modal verbs are a special kind of helping verb that shows possibility, probability, and necessity. They do not show tense, do not follow subject/verb agreement, and are not conjugated. Examples of modal verbs include "will", "would", "shall", "should", "can", "could", "may", "might", and "must". These verbs support the main verb's action or state and clarify meaning in sentences.
Helping verbs are usually moved to the beginning of a sentence to form a question. For example, "She is singing." becomes "Is she singing?" To make a sentence negative, negative "not" is typically placed after the helping verb. For example, "She is singing." becomes "She is not singing."
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Strong verbs: convey meaning clearly and make writing more engaging
As an international student, you may find that mastering a new language is challenging. Improving your writing style is an important next step. Using strong verbs is a great way to enhance your writing and make it more engaging.
Strong verbs are action words that describe clear, vivid images without needing additional words. They convey meaning clearly and precisely, whereas weak verbs often require adverbs to explain the action. For example, instead of saying "walking slowly", use the strong verb "strolling", which conveys the same meaning in a more concise manner.
Strong verbs bring your sentences to life and make your writing clearer and more concise. They help you express ideas clearly, engage readers, and sound more professional. Whether you're writing an essay, a presentation, or a resume, strong verbs make your sentences more impactful. For instance, in a resume, using strong verbs can paint a picture for the reviewer, highlighting your skills and accomplishments.
To identify strong verbs, consider the action you want to describe and the feeling or tone you want to create. Ask yourself if you want it to sound formal, casual, or persuasive. For example, "stroll" conveys a relaxed manner of walking, while "march" indicates determination and seriousness.
- Accomplishment: achieved, accomplished, attained, achieved, completed, mastered, succeeded.
- Creative: conceptualized, created, designed, developed, established, fashioned, founded, illustrated, invented.
- Communication: communicated, corresponded, explained, interpreted, lectured, mediated, negotiated, persuaded.
- Leadership: conducted, coordinated, directed, led, managed, organized, oversaw, supervised.
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Frequently asked questions
Verbs are words that represent actions that are external (e.g. run, jump, kick) and internal (e.g. love, think, consider). They are necessary to make a sentence and show what the subject is doing or feeling.
Action verbs describe an action, like run, jump, kick, eat, break, cry, smile, or think. The sentence structure will be: Subject -> Action Verb -> The Rest of the Sentence.
Linking verbs, also known as copular verbs, connect the subject to other nouns, adjectives, prepositional phrases, and other verbs. Examples include "is", "seem", and "become".
Helping verbs are used in a verb phrase with a second verb to show tense or form a question or a negative. Examples include "has been" and "will be".
Strong verbs are action words that describe clear, vivid images without the need for additional words. They make your writing clearer, more concise, and more engaging. For example, instead of saying "walking slowly", use "strolling".
