Lesson 6: Verbs

 Objectives:

• To define verbs
• To identify the different types of verbs
• To define the different types of verbs
• To use the different types of verbs in a sentence

Quick Navigation through the Lesson 6:

• Definition
• “Be” Verbs
• Action Verbs

In Lesson 2, we learned that verbs are usually action words. Here, we take a look at a more in-depth definition of verbs. We will also be identifying the different types of verbs, what they’re used for and how to use them when constructing a sentence. We can also see how they relate to nouns, which we discussed in the previous lesson.

 Definition

A verb is usually a word which expresses an action, state of action or state of being which defines or determines the place of a noun within a sentence.

[WpProQuiz 110]

Types

There are two main types of verbs—“be” verbs and action verbs. In this portion of our lesson, we’ll be taking a look at the difference between the two and how they’re used to complement each other. We’ll also be looking at examples which will show us how they interact with each other and with nouns.

“Be” Verbs

These verbs don’t show an obvious action—instead they show a state of being or express a state of action. These include am, is, was and are.

For example,

                    I am eating.

                    I am a doctor.

She is a person.

                    They are friends.

Am is only used specifically for the noun I, whereas is is used in tandem with singular nouns and are is used for plural nouns.

The noun you is also a special case—it is only used with are, even if it’s singular.

[WpProQuiz 111]

Action Verbs

Action verbs openly express action or movement. These are never used with the noun I.

If used with singular nouns, an –s is added to the end of the verb.

For example:

               She dances.
              Mario paints the most beautiful murals.

If used with plural nouns, no –s is added.

For example:

They dance.

Mario and Luigi paint the most beautiful murals.

[WpProQuiz 112]

In this lesson, we talked about verbs or action words. We learned that they not only describe actions but also states of being—I am, I was. Furthermore, we learned how to use these words in tandem with nouns. We were able to identify the difference between verbs used with singular nouns and verbs when used with plural nouns. Furthermore, we were able to study the special cases of verb-noun interaction in the nouns I (am) and You (are).

Up next, we’ll be studying adjectives and how we can use them to make good sentences. We’ll go deeper into what an adjective is as well as the different types of adjectives. To maximize learning, we will also be defining the different ways in which different kinds of adjectives can be used within a sentence.