Parts of Speach Made Easy: Verbs

 

What are verbs?

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

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.

Infinite verbs

Infinite verbs cannot stand on and still provide meaning like finite verbs. The infinitive is used in conjunction with the word to.

Example: "Grammaticus went to the store."

The word went is a verb because it indicates an action taking place, but it is an infinite verb because it cannot convey meaning on its own. It has to be used with the word to. After all we can't say that someone went without also saying where they went.

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.

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: "Grammaticus 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.

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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