(2) Verb

A verb is an action word or group of words. It is used to indicate the action done by the subject without it
would be impossible to indicate what the subject is doing. A verb can also showcase “possession” or
“being”.

Example:

Types of English

There are different types of verbs in generative grammar. A sentence can contain a single verb or a
combination of auxiliary and main verb.
1. Main Verb

The main verb is the action done by the subject of the verb. Action words are easy to identify. You need
to ask the question “What is the subject doing?”

Example:

Note: There are four forms of Main Verbs in English

● V1 (Present)
● V2 (Past)
● V3 (Perfect)
● V4 (Continuous)

Example:

Types of the Main Verb

1.1. Transitive Verb & Intransitive verb

1. Transitive Verb: It requires an object on which the action takes place. Here the object is not the verb
but the action is.

Example:

2. Intransitive Verb: It is the opposite of the Transitive Verb. It doesn't have an object of the action.

Example:
Note: How to identify a Transitive Verb and Intransitive Verb?

Transitive Verb: A transitive verb is one that only makes sense if it exerts its action on an object. The
effect of the transitive verbs can be directly seen on the object.
● eg. take, push, eat, wash, load, learn, hug, entertain, describe, love, write, adopt

Intransitive Verb: An intransitive verb does not allow a direct object. This is a distinction from a transitive
verb, which takes one or more objects.The verb property is called transitivity. Intransitive verbs are often
identified as those that can't be followed by who or what.
● eg. run, rain, arrive, lie, open, talk, sing, listen, ring, cough

1.2. Regular Verb & Irregular Verb Regular Verb:

1. Regular verbs: Regular verbs are those whose conjugation follows the typical pattern, or one of the
typical patterns, of the language to which it belongs. They form their inflected parts by adding the typical
endings -s, -ing and -ed to give forms such as plays, entering, and liked.

Example:

2. Irregular verbs: Irregular verbs are the ones in which the past tense is not formed by adding the usual
'ed' ending. Examples of irregular verbs are sing (sang), feel (felt), and go (went).

Example:

How to Identify a Regular Verb and Irregular Verb?

Regular verb: A regular verb will have a form that can be applied to other verbs in present, past, perfect
and continuous tense.

Present Past Perfect Continuous

work worked worked working

walk walked walked walked

Irregular verb: An irregular verb has a different form in a different tense that is unique to itself.

Present Past Perfect Continuous

go went gone getting

bite bit bitten biting

1.3. Finite Verb & Non-Finite Verb Regular Verb:

1. Finite Verb: A finite verb is often the main verb in the sentence, which denotes the primary action
done by the subject in a particular context. Finite verbs can be a part of an independent clause or verb
phrase that can stand alone in a sentence and still make sense

A finite verb is limited by the actor or a number. It is limited or bounded. It changes its form according to
the tense.

Example:

Note: How to identify a Finite Verb?

● A finite verb is controlled by the no. of subject is singular, the verb will be singular. If the subject
is plural, the verb will be plural.

Example: The girl runs slowly (Subject is singular)

The girls run slowly (Subject is plural)

● A finite verb is controlled by the person.

Example: I visit my grandparents at least once a month. (I - First Person)

She visits her grandparents at least once a month. (She - Third Person)

● A finite verb is controlled by the tense. It can be in the past, person or future tense.

Example: Mary studies Spanish (Present Tense)

Mary will study Spanish (Future Tense)
2. Non-Finite Verb: A non-finite verb is most often not the main verb in the sentence. It does not show
the tense or number of the verb. Non-finite verbs are multifunctional. An infinite verb is unlimited and
unbounded. It is opposite to a finite verb.

Example:

Note: How to Identify a Non-Finite Verb?

Types of Non-Finite

(1) Infinitives: Infinitives are the root verbs (V1) without indicating tense, person, or number.
The infinitive of a verb has two forms: the to-infinitive and the infinitive without to.

● To infinitive: The to-form consists of to plus the base form of the verb (V1 + to)

50 useful infinitive with to

agree appear arrange ask attempt beg care choose dare decide
demand desire expect fail forget hate hope hurry intend invite learn
like love need offer plan prepare pretend promise refuse regret
remember report say see seem should strive swear threaten try want
wish

Example:
 ● Infinitive without to: The to-form without consists of to plus the base form of the verb (V1)

- Using after modal verbs can, could, may, might, will, shall, would, should, must.

- Using after let, make and (optionally) help.

Example:

(2) Gerund: A gerund is a verb that’s acting as a noun in a sentence. It is formed by adding the suffix
"-ing" to the base form of a verb. Gerunds can serve various grammatical functions in a sentence, similar
to those of a noun.

Note: Types of gerunds

● Subject:
Example: Biking is my newest hobby.

● Subject complement
Example: My preferred commuting method is biking.

● Direct object
Example: I love biking.

● Indirect object
Example: My sister gave biking a try.

● Object complement
Example: I see myself biking every day.

● Object of a preposition
Example: I blocked out a few hours this Sunday for biking.

50 useful infinitive with to

Admit Involve Advise Keep Allow Like Anticipate Love Appreciate

Mention Avoid Mind Begin Need Neglect Permit Postpone Practice
Prefer Cease Propose Complete Quit Consider Recall Continue
Recollect Defend Recommend Delay Report Deny Require Despite
Recent Discuss Resist Dislike Risk Start Dread Stop Encourage
Suggest Enjoy Tolerate Finish Try Forget Understand Hate Urge Imagine

Example:
(3) Participles: Participles are verb forms that function as adjectives, adverbs, or nouns in a sentence.
There are three main types of participles: present participle, past participle, and perfect participle.

● Present Participle
○ The present participle is formed by adding "-ing" to the base form of a verb.
○ It is often used to describe ongoing or continuous actions.
○ Present participles can function as adj. or adv. in a sentence, modifying nouns or verbs.

Example:

○ The present participle is also used to form the progressive tenses in English,

Example:

● Past Participle
○ The past participle is the third principal part of a verb and is used in various tenses,
including the past perfect and passive voice.
○ It can often end in "-ed," but irregular verbs have different forms.
○ Past participles are commonly used in perfect tenses

Example:

○ They can also function as adjectives in a sentence, describing nouns.

Example:

● Perfect Participle:
○ The perfect participle is formed by combining the past participle of the verb with the
present participle of the verb "to have."
○ It is used to indicate actions that occurred before another action in the past.
○ The perfect participle is less common in English but can be found in certain structures
like the perfect participle phrase.

Example:
 2. Auxiliary Verb

An auxiliary verb is a verb that adds functional or grammatical meaning to the clause in which it appears,
so as to express tense, aspect, modality, voice, emphasis, etc. Auxiliary verbs usually accompany the
main verb.The main verb provides the main semantic content of the clause.

Example:

Modal Auxiliary Verb (Modal Verb):

Modal Verbs are used to show the mood or attitude of the subject. They are the verbs that are used to
indicate modality. Such as likelihood, ability, permission, request, capacity, suggestions, order,
obligation, or advice.

● They always accompany the base (infinitive) form of another verb.

● They are the type of auxiliary expressing the subject's mood.
● They give information about the function of the main verb.

In English, the modal verbs commonly used are can, could, may, might, must, will, would, shall, should,
ought to, had better, "have to" and sometimes need or dare.

Modal Verb Must Shall/Should Will Can May

Modal + ed - should would could might

Full negative forms must shall not will not cannot may not
should not would not could not might not

Short negative forms mustn’t shan’t won’t can’t mightn't

shouldn’t couldn’t
Different Kinds of Modals and their Usage:

Modals Usage

can, could, may permission

can, could, be able to past ability, power and capacity, remote possibility formal request

may, might, can, could possibility

should show assistance ot polite suggestion, give advice

would request

ought to, must, have to, necessity, compulsion

have got to, will have to

ought not to, must not prohibition

dare challenge or courage

need to requirements

used to past habits, habitual action

Common rules for using Modals

● Forming questions with Modals, We form questions by inverting the modal verb and the subject.
We do not use auxiliaries to do so.

Example:

● Forming negatives by adding “Not”, We form negative sentences by adding 'NOT. We do not add
auxiliaries.

Example:

● Interrogatives with Modals Modals can be used in tag/ interrogative sentences.

Example:
 ● Modals and Tenses Modals do not exist in all tenses. They are only in Simple tenses.

Example:

● Forms of Modals There are perfect forms and continuous forms of Modals. The perfect form:
(Modal + have +V3) The continuous form: (Modals +be + ing)

Example:

Note : The common mistake while using modals is to place one modal after another. The sequence will
be grammatically wrong.

Example: She must can do it [Wrong]

She must do it [Correct]
She can do it [Correct]

Note: Point to remember while using modals

● Modals never change their form. We cannot add “s”, “ed”, “ing” after them.
● Modals are always followed by the infinitive without to.

ii. Helping Verb

Helping verbs work alongside the main verb in a sentence to express different meanings, such as tense,
aspect, mood, voice, or negation. They provide additional information about the action or state
described by the main verb.

Types of Helping Verbs

● "Be" verbs: These include "am," "is," "are," "was," "were," "been," and "being." They are used
to form the progressive aspect (continuous tenses) and passive voice constructions.
Example:

● "Have" verbs: These include "has," "have," and "had." They are used to form the perfect aspect
(perfect tenses) and perfect progressive aspect constructions.
Example:
 ● "Do" verbs: These include "do," "does," and "did." They are used in question and negative
sentences, as well as to emphasize a point.
Example:

Note: List of Helping Verbs of All Tenses

Tense Examples Helping Verb

Present Monica is making lasagna. Is

Continuous

Present She has spoken to the Dean about it already. Has

Perfect

Present Perfect Chandler has been smoking for an hour. Has been
Continuous

Past Rachel was working at the cafe. Was

Continuous

Past Ross had not worked at the museum for ten years. Has not
Perfect

Past Perfect My friends had been wanting to come home for a while now. Had been
Continuous

Future Phoebe will be playing the guitar at the party tomorrow. Will be
Continuous

Future The plumber will have fixed all the pipelines in two days. Will have
Perfect

Future Perfect He will have been waiting here at this time tomorrow. Will have been
Continuous
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of the infinitive (with or without "to").

1. She agreed _________ (help) her friend with the project.

2. They decided _________ (go) to the beach this weekend.
3. He forgot _________ (buy) milk at the store.
4. We should _________ (study) for the exam tomorrow.
5. I can't wait _________ (see) the new movie.
6. She made him _________ (clean) his room before going out.
7. He attempted _________ (fix) the broken computer by himself.
8. They need _________ (finish) their homework before dinner.
9. She expects _________ (get) a promotion at work.
10. We should _________ (try) _________ (understand) the problem before asking for help.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct form of the infinitive to complete each sentence.

1. She loves (to cook / cook) delicious meals for her family.
2. He promised (to help / help) me with my homework.
3.They can't afford (to buy / buy) a new car right now.
4. We decided (to go / go) on vacation next month.
5. I hate (to wake up / wake up) early in the morning.
6. She asked (to borrow / borrow) my book for the weekend.
7. He offered (to drive / drive) us to the airport.
8. They plan (to visit / visit) their grandparents next weekend.
9. I need (to finish / finish) this report before the deadline.
10. She hopes (to travel / travel) to Europe someday.

Exercise 3: Rewrite each sentence using the infinitive form indicated in parentheses.

1. He asked if he could come. (to come)

2. They plan to start a new business. (start)
3. She wants to go to the concert. (go)
4. I need you to help me with this. (help)
5. He decided not to attend the meeting. (attend)
6. They hope to win the competition. (win)
7. She loves to dance in the rain. (dance)
8. We should try to solve the problem together. (solve)
9. He offered to pay for dinner. (pay)
10. She forgot to call her parents. (call)
Exercise 4: Fill in the blanks with the correct form (infinitive or gerund).

1. I enjoy _________ (read) books in my free time.

2. She needs _________ (study) for her upcoming exam.
3. They prefer _________ (watch) movies on Friday nights.
4. He suggested _________ (go) to the beach this weekend.
5. We're considering _________ (take) a trip to Europe next year.
6. She avoided _________ (eat) seafood because of her allergies.
7. I regret _________ (not tell) her the truth earlier.
8. They discussed _________ (start) a new business together.
9. He promised _________ (help) me with my homework.
10. She admitted _________ (cheat) on the test.

Exercise 5: Rewrite each sentence using the specified form (infinitive or gerund).

1. She enjoys swimming at the beach. (rewrite using infinitive)

2. I love playing basketball with my friends. (rewrite using gerund)
3. He suggested going to the park for a picnic. (rewrite using gerund)
4. They plan to visit their grandparents next weekend. (rewrite using infinitive)
5. She hates waking up early in the morning. (rewrite using gerund)
6. We discussed starting a book club. (rewrite using gerund)
7. He offered to help us with our project. (rewrite using infinitive)
8. They avoid eating fast food. (rewrite using gerund)
9. She enjoys reading mystery novels. (rewrite using gerund)
10.I need to finish this report before the deadline. (rewrite using infinitive)

Exercise 6: Choose the correct modal verb to complete each sentence.

1. You ____________ leave your shoes at the door. (must / should / can)
2. ____________ you help me with this project, please? (Could / Will / Shall)
3. He ____________ be at the meeting by 9:00 AM. (may / might / will)
4. Students ____________ use calculators during the exam. (can / could / may)
5. We ____________ go to the concert if we finish our work on time. (may / might / can)
6. You ____________ take an umbrella. It looks like it might rain. (ought to / should / would)
7. ____________ you like another cup of tea? (Would / Could / Might)
8. You ____________ study harder if you want to pass the exam. (ought to / must / can)
9. They ____________ go to the party if they finish their homework. (must / will / can)
10.I ____________ go to the gym yesterday, but I was too tired. (could / should / ought to)
Exercise 7: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the modal verb.

1. You ____________ be quiet in the library. (should)

2. He ____________ come to the party if he finishes his work on time. (will)
3. Students ____________ not bring mobile phones to the exam hall. (must)
4. ____________ I borrow your pen for a moment? (may)
5. We ____________ go for a walk after dinner if the weather is nice. (can)

Exercise 8: Identify the function of the modal verb in each sentence (e.g., permission, possibility,
necessity).

1. You should visit the museum while you're in town. (suggestion)

2. He must complete the assignment by tomorrow. (obligation)
3. Can you help me with this heavy box? (request)
4. We might go to the beach if it's sunny. (possibility)
5. You shouldn't eat too much junk food. (advice)

Exercise 9: Identify the helping verb in each sentence.

1. She is painting a picture for her art class.

2. They have been waiting for the bus for over an hour.
3. Did you finish your homework last night?
4. He will have completed the project by tomorrow.
5. We were watching a movie when the power went out.
6. Have you ever traveled to Europe?
7. The cake is being baked in the oven right now.
8. She had forgotten her keys at home.
9. Will you be attending the conference next week?
10. I should have called you earlier.

Exercise 10: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate helping verb from the list.

1. She ___________ cooking dinner when the phone rang. (was)

2. We ___________ discussing the plan with the team. (have been)
3. ___________ they arrived at the party yet? (have)
4. He ___________ forgotten his lines during the performance. (had)
5. They ___________ working on this project for months. (have been)
6. ___________ you ever been to Paris? (have)
7. The flowers ___________ watered twice a day. (should be)
8. She ___________ studying for the exam all night. (has been)
9. ___________ you finished your homework yet? (have)
10. The report ___________ submitted by the end of the week. (will have to be)