Recognizing Verbs

February 13th, 2025 in Grammar by April Michelle Davis 0

A verb is a part of speech denoting action, occurrence, or existence; it functions as the predicate of a sentence or as part of the predicate.

Example: Martin swims.

Subject: Martin         Predicate: swims

Example: Martin swims almost every day of the week.

Subject: Martin         Predicate: swims almost every day of the week

A verb is used to make a statement, ask a question, or give a command or direction.

Examples:

  1. They moved to Atlanta.
  2. The rain stopped.
  3. Is this true?
  4. Consider the options.

Most verbs change form depending on the subject so that they agree in number.

Examples:

  1. I run.
  2. Wayne runs
  3. She runs.
  4. You run.
  5. We run.
  6. They run.

Verbs may be composed of more than one word. The additional word before the verb is an auxiliary, or a helping, verb that indicates tense, but may also indicate voice, mood, person, or number; it is a form of the infinitive to be, to have, or to do.

Examples:

  1. I am moving.
  2. Tom has moved.
  3. He is moving.
  4. You are moving.
  5. We had been moving.
  6. They were moving.

When a verb combines with a participle, the words take on a new meaning. This is called a phrasal verb, which is a unit consisting of a verb and a participle, such as across, after, away, down, for, in, off, out, up, or with, and having the force of a single-word verb. The meaning of a phrasal verb is different from a verb with an adverb.
Examples:

  1. Sylvia blew up the balloon. (verb and adverb)
  2. The rocket blew up. (phrasal verb)
  3. She put the picture of the mountain up with a tack. (verb and adverb)
  4. Bill put up with the noise of the barking dogs. (phrasal verb)

 

Try It!

What are the verbs, including the auxiliaries and phrasal verbs, in these sentences?

  1. Developing countries are facing many difficulties.
  2. The flock of wheeling birds descended to the tree branch.
  3. The fire gobbled up some of the most expensive and valuable real estate on Main Street.
  4. Parts of the wreckage may never be found since the car went over the bridge into the ocean.
  5. Smith’s manner has given her statements the force of commands.

Answers:

1. are facing (auxiliary verb); 2. descended (verb); 3. gobbled up (phrasal verb); 4. may be found (auxiliary verb); 5. has given (auxiliary verb)