Verbs are doing words. They usually express a physical action (like "to run", "to paint"), a mental action (like "to think", "to estimate") or a state of being (like "to be", "to exist").
thinks
"Thinks" is from the verb "to think" - a mental action.
cats
This is a noun - a naming word.
Verbs are doing words. They usually express a physical action (like "to run", "to paint"), a mental action (like "to think", "to estimate") or a state of being (like "to be", "to exist").
wait
"To wait" is a physical action.
weight
This is a noun - a naming word.
Verbs are doing words. They usually express a physical action (like "to run", "to paint"), a mental action (like "to think", "to estimate") or a state of being (like "to be", "to exist").
is
"Is" comes from the verb "to be" - which shows a state of being.
only
This is an adverb.
Verbs are doing words. They usually express a physical action (like "to run", "to paint"), a mental action (like "to think", "to estimate") or a state of being (like "to be", "to exist").
have
"Have" is from the verb "to have" - a physical action.
without
"Without" is a preposition.
When a verb is preceded by the word "to" (e.g. "to walk"), it is said to be in its infinitive form.
to hear
Infinitive form (i.e. with "to")
wants
This verb is not in its infintive form. It has been conjugated (changed slightly).
Placing a word between "to" and its verb (e.g. "to boldy go") is considered an error by many people. This is called a "split infinitive" and should be avoided.
to try really hard
No word between "to" and "try" - okay
to really try hard
The word "really" is between "to" and "try". This is a split infinitive.
Verbs which describe actions that have already taken place are said to be in the "past tense".
Verbs can also be in the present tense (e.g. "I think") and the future tense (e.g. "I will think").
I thought
Past tense
I think
Present tense
The "ing" form of a verb (e.g. "walking") is called the present participle.
climbing
"ing" version - present participle
climbs
Normal conjugation (e.g. "he climbs")
In a passive sentence, the action of the verb is performed on the subject (as opposed to the subject perfoming the action).
The bridge was damaged.
The subject of this sentence, "The bridge", did not perform the action (to damage), but was damaged (i.e. the action was performed on it). This is a passive sentence.
They damaged the bridge.
This is an active sentence. The subject, "They", performed the action (i.e. damaged the bridge).
Verbs which can be performed on or to an object (e.g. "to eat a plum", "to wear
a jacket") are called transitive verbs. (The majority of verbs are transitive.)
to beat an egg
The verb is performed on an object: an egg; therefore, it is transitive.
to sleep
This verb cannot be performed on an object. It is an intransitive verb. (e.g. "to sleep an egg", "to sleep a person" - both nonsense)
Expressions in the form "Having [done something]" (e.g. "Having slept", "Having painted") are called "past gerunds".
Having seen her, I...
past gerund
Note: With a past gerund, the person (or thing) performing the action of the "Having" verb must be the same person performing the
main verb in the sentence. (e.g. "Having seen her, John crossed the road." - John saw her, and John crossed the road.)
He enjoyed it, and...
Normal sentence
Words ending "ing" that give an idea of while doing something (e.g. "Reading the paper, he...", "Cutting the lettuce, Alison...")
are called "present gerunds".
Realising her error, she...
present gerund
Note: With a present gerund, the person (or thing) performing the action of the "ing" verb must be the same person performing the
main verb in the sentence. (e.g. "Realising her error, she put the spoon on the table." - She realised her error, and she [same person] put the spoon down.)
On the 18th October, they...
This is not a present gerund but a normal introduction. (It is called an "adverb of time".)
