VERBS
A verb is a word that expresses an action, an event or a state of being. In
other words, a verb is a word that informs about an action, an existence of
something or an occurrence. The verb is the main word in a sentence. No
sentence is complete without a verb.
Examples:
Jacob walks in the morning.
We went to the market.
You write neatly in your notebook.
The doctor treated the patient.
She considers the job done.
Peter guessed the right answer.
It was a joke.
They thought about all the prizes in the competition.
Lexical and Auxiliary Verbs
Lexical verbs, otherwise known as main verbs, express action, state of being,
or predicate meaning. They are the prominent verbs that carry out the major
meaning in the sentence. Lexical verbs indicate the main action taking place
in any sentence and therefore the intention of the sentence becomes clear.
They fall into several categories: dynamic and stative, linking, transitive and
intransitive.
Examples:
He ran very slowly.
My class teacher scolded me.
I will buy this jacket for you.
I am writing a book.
He has done the work.
Dynamic and Stative Verbs
Every English sentence must have a verb. The verb could be classified into
two categories: dynamic verbs and stative verbs.
Dynamic verbs are “action” verbs. They refer to:
activities (things we physically do): play, walk, speak, wash, wait, listen, etc.
things that happen (processes): grow, change, die, melt, etc.
We use dynamic verbs in both the simple and continuous (-ing) forms,
depending on context:
I play every day. I am playing now.
I worked all day yesterday. I have been working since this morning.
Trees grow every year. The trees are growing now.
The weather changes every day. The weather is changing now.
In English grammar, stative verbs are verbs used primarily to describe a
state of being or situation. They are not action or dynamic verbs; they
describe how something is or seems or a mental process. They do not refer
to a physical action; they express a state or condition (things which are
permanent; things which do not have a beginning or end). Stative verbs
describe a state rather than an action. They are not usually used in the
present continuous form.
Examples:
I think that’s a good idea. NOT (I am thinking that it is a good idea.)
I love this song! NOT (I am loving this song.)
That coffee smells good. NOT (That coffee is smelling good.)
I understand. NOT (I’m understanding.)
He has three brothers. NOT (He is having three brothers.)
Do you have a pen? NOT (Are you having a pen?)
I don’t know the answer. NOT (I’m not knowing the answer.)
She really likes you. NOT (She’s really liking you.)
He seems happy at the moment. NOT (He’s seeming happy at the moment.)
Stative verbs often relate to:
thoughts and opinions: agree, believe, doubt, guess, imagine, know, mean,
recognize, remember, suspect, think, understand
feelings and emotions: dislike, hate, like, love, prefer, want, wish
senses and perceptions: appear, be, feel, hear, look, see, seem, smell, taste
possession and measurement: belong, have, measure, own, possess, weigh,
owe
When a verb can be both stative and dynamic
Be careful—some verbs have more than one meaning. The verb might be
stative in one meaning and dynamic when it is used in another meaning.
Consider the following examples:
i. Have:
When “have” means possess or own, it is stative and so is NOT used in the
continuous form:
He has a new car. NOT (He is having a new car.)
He had two sons. NOT (He was having two sons.)
However, when “have” is part of a phrase (have a shower, have lunch), it is
dynamic and so can be used in the continuous form, depending on context:
I have lunch every day. I am having lunch now.
I had a shower this morning. I was having a shower when you called.
ii. Think:
When “think” means “have an opinion”, it is stative and so is NOT used in
the continuous form:
He thinks she’s beautiful. NOT (He is thinking she’s beautiful.)
I think we’ll win the game. NOT (I am thinking we’ll win the game.)
However, when “think” refers to the process of the brain (considering,
concentrating on), it is dynamic and we can use it in a simple or continuous
form, as necessary:
He always thinks carefully before he speaks. What are you thinking about?
I always think about my first love. I’m thinking of going to live in Akure.
Linking verb
A linking verb links the subject to its complement (subject complement). It is
followed by either a noun or an adjective. So, a linking verb works like a
bridge that connects two parts: the subject and the subject complement. “To
be” forms of verbs are the most common verbs that both link the subject to
its complement.
Examples:
You are smart.
Conor is a great fighter.
I was upset with you.
Your mother seems unhappy.
They have been absent for several days.
Exercise: Choose the correct verb form to complete the sentences.
i. That can’t be right. I ____ (don’t believe / am not believing) you!
ii. My holiday is next week. I ____ (imagine / am imagining) myself on the
beach right now!
iii. I’ve changed the design slightly. What ____? (do you think / are you
thinking)
If you want, I can also:
clean this up into typed notes,
turn it into study summaries, or
answer the exercise questions 😉