What are the Different Types of Verbs in English?

What are verbs?

verbs are often times called doing words. This is because verbs are words that indicate an action taking place.

Examples of verbs are: run, jump swim, talk

Example 1: "Otis ate an apple."

Example 2: "He likes to play in the snow."

The words ate and play are both verbs because they indicates an action taking place. They tells us what someone is doing.

What are Finite Verbs?

A finite verb is a verb that can stand on its own and still provide meaning.

Examples of finite verbs are: run, swim, jump, juggle

Example: "Grammaticus swam across the lake."

In this example the word swam is a finite verb because it can stand on its own and still provide meaning.

What is the Infinitive?

Unlike the finite verb the infinitive does not convey meaning on its own. The infinitive is always used after a finite verb followed by the word to.

Example: "Otis went to study for his exams store."

The word study an infinitive because it is a verb that comes after a finite verb (in this case went) followed by the word two.

What are Axillary Verbs?

Axillary verbs help provide meaning to the main verb. For this reason, axillary verbs are sometimes called helping verbs.

Example sentence 1: "Grammaticus is running."

In this example the word is, is an axillary verb because it helps provide meaning to the main verb running. In this case, the word is, helps us provide meaning by telling us when the sunning takes place. The word is, indicates the present tense.

Example sentence 2: "Grammatiucus was swimming."

In this example the work was, is once again an axillary verb for the same reason as in example 1. The word was adds meaning to the main verb swimming. The word was, once again indicates when the swimming took place, but in this instance, it indicates that the swimming took place in the past.

What are Linking Verbs?

Linking verbs are also sometimes called the verb "to be." Unlike axillary verbs, the linking verb is not used in conjunction with another verb. 

Examples of linking verbs: is, am, are

Example: "Otis is hungry."

In this example, Grammaticus is not doing anything other than existing: that is why the linking verb is it is called the verb "to be." The word is indicates that Grammaticus exists at the moment of speaking. If is was replaced with was for instance we would know that Grammaticus existed in the past. In other words, the function of the linking verb is to indicate the time that the existence of an object or person took place.

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Learn the 10 parts of speech in English grammar with easy definitions and clear examples. Ideal for beginners, students, and language learners.

Sources.

GeeksforGeeks. Available: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/english-grammar/

Grammarly. Available: https://www.grammarly.com/blog

Lutrin, B. & Pincus, M. 2007. English Handbook and Study Guide: A Comprehensive English Reference Book. South Africa: Berlut Books

Oasis. Available: https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/home

Scribbr. Available: https://www.scribbr.com/knowledge-base/

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