Parts of Speech | 20 February 2025 | 15 Min

Verbs – Definition, Types, Usage Tips and Examples

Different parts of the speech build sentences and convey the right meaning. One such part is a verb which is almost used in all sentences. They represent both external actions (run, jump, work) and internal states (love, think, consider). Without these words, no action, feelings, or existence would exist. They are the driving force that shows what the subject is doing, feeling, or even just being.

Verbs are essential for constructing a complete thought. But they also come with a variety of rules and forms due to their central role in language. It makes them one of the more complex parts of speech in English.

In this blog, you can learn their usage and enhance your writing and speaking skills. So, come along!

What is a Verb?

A verb is one of the most essential parts of a sentence. It is referred to as the action word because it describes what is happening. In its simplest form, a verb expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being. It is an important part of speech that tells us what the subject of the sentence is doing. They also provide crucial information about the time, mood, and intention behind that action. Without a verb, a sentence would be incomplete and lack meaning.

For example, in the sentence, “she runs,” the action tells us what the subject (she) is doing.

Similarly, they can express states of being, such as in “he is happy,” where it serves as the action to convey the subject’s current state.

Example:

I want to eat ice cream and waffles.
The girl living next door is a dermatologist.
He played guitar at the party last night.
Samantha calls her mother every morning.
Ron will arrive on Monday morning.
We will be making a snowman in the front yard.

Verbs can take many forms and tenses. It can adapt to indicate whether an action is happening now, in the past, or will happen in the future. This flexibility is what makes them such a vital part of language.

Types of Verbs

Since action words are complex, they are divided into multiple categories. They are classified on the basis of their usage, intent, and tense.

1. Transitive and Intransitive

Transitive verbs always come with a direct object to complete their meaning. This means that the action is done to something or someone. It gives a clear answer to the question “What?” or “Whom?”

Example:

Lara baked a cake. (The action of baking is done to the object cake.)
Daniel kicked the ball. (The action of kicking is directed toward the object ball.)
Stefan sketched my portrait. (The action of sketching is done by Stefan.)

On the other hand, intransitive verbs do not need a direct object. The action is complete in itself and it does not transfer to anything else.

Example:

The baby slept peacefully. (The action of sleeping does not need an object.)
Jack smiled warmly. (The action of smiling does not transfer to anything.)
I have traveled a lot. (There is no object in this sentence but the action is present.)

Some sentences use both transitive and intransitive verbs.

2. Stative and Dynamic

Stative verbs describe a state or condition rather than an action. Such action words usually express feelings, thoughts, relationships, and possessions. Also, they are typically not used in continuous tenses.

Example:

She knows the answer. (Knowing is a state, not an action.)
I believe in fair play. (Believing is a mental state.)
Max recognized her face in the dark. (Recognizing is a state.)

On the contrary, dynamic verbs describe an actual action or process. It can be used in both simple and continuous tenses.

Example:

He is running in the park. (Running is an ongoing action.)
The chef cooked a delicious meal. (Cooking is an action that has been completed.)
Chloe has submitted her assignment. (The process of submission is an action.)

Some verbs can be both stative and dynamic. However, their meaning changes depending on how they are used.

3. Action Verbs

Action verbs represent physical or mental actions performed by the subject. They tell us what someone or something is doing. They can be either external actions or internal emotions.

Examples:

David paints her penthouse on weekends. (Painting is a physical action.)
Sophie imagined a better future for herself. (Imagining is a mental action.)
The director chose the lead cast. (Choosing is a mental action)

Action verbs are versatile and can change forms to indicate tense, aspect, or mood, showing when and how the action occurs.

4. Auxiliary Verbs

Auxiliary verbs are also called helping verbs. They are used alongside main verbs to form different tenses, moods, and voices. They help convey additional details to emphasize on time or necessity.

Examples:

She is cooking dinner right now. (‘Is’ helps form the present continuous tense of the action of cooking.)
They have finished the project on time. (‘Have’ helped form the present perfect tense of the action of finishing.)
She has been here about an hour. (‘Has been’ forms the past perfect continuous tense of the verb.)

Auxiliary verbs comprise different forms of be, have, and do.

5. Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are a special type of auxiliary verb that expresses ability, possibility, permission, or obligation. They don’t change form depending on the subject or tense unlike other types of action words.

Examples:

She can swim across the river. (Can express ability.)
We should leave soon. (Should express obligation or recommendation.)
He might attend the party. (Might express possibility.)

Some common modal verbs are can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would.

6. Phrasal Verbs

A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and one or more grammar elements (prepositions or adverbs). It creates a new meaning that is different from the original words.

Examples:

Please pick out anything you want. (Pick out means to choose anything of choice.)
She gave up trying to solve the puzzle. (Gave up means to stop or quit, different from the simple verb give.)
They ran into their old friends at the mall. (Ran into means to encounter unexpectedly.)

Phrasal verbs can be tricky because their meaning cannot be predicted from the individual words. This makes it essential to learn as a whole unit. Common phrasal action words include break down, look after, take off, and turn up.

Tips for Using Verbs Effectively

To add verbs in your content accurately, follow these tips. They can take a lot of forms and tenses. Also, they will help you to add the impact and right effect of your message.

1. Add Verbs for Stronger Writing

A verb is quite helpful for making your writing more dynamic and precise. Therefore, try to use verbs over nouns or adjectives to describe actions directly. They can simplify your sentences and make them more concise and engaging.

Example:

She is a manager at the store.

This sentence can be more effectively written as:

She manages the store.

You can also spot the difference in the following sentences, which are basically the same. All these sentences have the same intended message but the verb is making it perceived as different.

They were in the process of making a decision.
They were making a decision.
They were deciding.
They decided.

2. Use Active Voice

The active voice not only makes your sentences clearer but also brings energy to your writing. It puts the subject first and reduces unnecessary words, which can make a big difference in readability. For instance:

The meeting was organized by the team.

This sentence in active voice will sound something like:
The team organized the meeting. (Active Voice)

Just by changing the voice of the sentence, we can completely transform the impact. Let’s have a look at another example.

The report was completed by Sarah.
Sarah completed the report. (Active Voice)

3. Choose Verbs Over Modifiers

Instead of using multiple words to modify a general verb, try to find a more precise word to describe the happening. This not only cuts down on wordiness but also makes your writing more vivid.

For example:

‘Walk slowly’ can be replaced with ‘stroll’.
‘Speak loudly’ can become ‘shout’.
‘Look at quickly’ can be rephrased as ‘glance’.
‘Talking in low tone’ can be written as ‘murmuring’.
‘Run as quick as possible’ would become ‘run for it’.

Wrap Up

Verbs are the backbone of effective communication. They help to convey action, emotion, and state in every sentence. You can significantly enhance your writing’s clarity and strength by understanding the different types of verbs and using them correctly. These words can transform your writing whether it is choosing a specific action or adding a direct or active voice.

To ensure you are using verbs and other elements of grammar correctly, try using the Grammar Checker tool to catch any mistakes and sharpen your language. Also, for a deeper understanding of how these action words interact with other words, be sure to check out our guide on the other parts of speech.