Notes on verbs
Lesson outcomes
By the end of the lesson students should be able to:
1) Define verb
2) Identify transitive and intransitive verbs.
3) Give examples of transitive and intransitive verbs.
4) Differentiate auxiliary and modal verbs
What is a verb?
A verb is a word that describes what the subject of a sentence is doing.
Example
Anita is thinking about the horse.
John builds a house.
True love exists.
Types of verbs Meaning and example
Transitive verbs Transitive verbs are verbs that express action that terminates
in, or is received by, an object. The object of a transitive verb
can be a noun, pronoun, or a noun clause or phrase.
Examples:
I threw the ball. (Noun as object)
We beat them. (Pronoun as object)
I think that you are correct. (Noun clause as object)
Intransitive Verbs Intransitive verbs are verbs that express action but that does
not take an object. The subject and verb express a complete
thought without an object. The verb can, however, be
followed by an adverb or other modifier.
Examples:
I ran.
I ran swiftly.
I ran in the race.
Auxiliary verbs Auxiliary verbs (also called helping verbs) include verbs
such as “be,” “do,” and “have.” They’re used in combination
with another (main) verb to modify its meaning. Auxiliary
verbs can be used to indicate tense, mood, and voice.
They’re also used to form negative statements when used
with words such as “not” and “never.”
Auxiliary verbs must be conjugated for tense and person
(e.g., “I am,” “she was”).
Example:
I am waiting.
Did you enjoy the meal?
The door was locked.
Alicia has not spoken to me for a week.
Modal verbs Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that are used along with
another (main) verb to express ability, permission, possibility,
necessity, or obligation. The main modal verbs
are can, could, may, might, must, ought, shall, should, will,
and would. Modal verbs do not change form.
Examples:
I can read Arabic and Hebrew.
Martin should speak a little louder.
Talia ought to perform at the talent show.
Activity 1
Identify the transitive and intransitive verbs
1. When he arrived, nobody was there to greet him.
2. I bought a bicycle so I can go to school faster.
3. The boy laughed so much that milk came out of his nose.
4. He reads books to help him fall asleep.
5. Jim is sleeping so don’t be so loud.
6. When I lie down, I like to sleep on my back.
7. In order to catch up in class, she wrote an essay.
8. The man sneezed so hard that he fell from his chair.
9. She sat down patiently waiting for her homework.
10. For about an hour, they passed the ball back and forth.
11. The family turned off the light and went to sleep.
12. We moved the tables next to each other.
13. He puts on his winter boots because it’s so cold outside.
14. They waited but nobody helped them find their room.
15. The train stopped abruptly.
Activity 2
Auxiliary Verbs (fill in the blanks using be/do/have)
1. Education must _______ expressed in social terms. (Passive)
2. The name _______n't mean anything. (Present)
3. And it was as she _______ said. (Past perfect)
4. He _______ quite forgotten where he was. (Past perfect)
5. _______n't I told you so? (Present perfect)
6. That opinion _______ expressed to me by a member. (Past/passive)
7. You _______ had enough of that. (Present perfect)
8. _______ she have any one with her? (Past)
9. We went the way we _______ been in the afternoon. (Past perfect)
10. It _______ not seem so strange to me. (Present)
Homework
1) If he _______n't get it! (Present)
2) For a moment he _______ lost in thought. (Present/passive)
3) She knew that she would soon _______ found. (Passive)
4) You _______ going to kill me without any cause. (Present)
5) _______n't you wish you may get it? (Present)
6) He asked them where they _______ going. (Past)
7) It _______ long _______ borne in silence. (Present perfect)
8) And this time she _______ not laugh. (Past)
9) The day _______ passed to allow it. (Present perfect)
10) I _______ determined to break it up. (Past/passive)
Activity 3
Fill in the blanks with appropriate modal auxiliary verbs.
1. My grandmother is eighty-five, but she ……………… still read and writes
without glasses. (Ability) ( Use: can/could/may)
2. …………….. I come with you?( Use: Can/Will/Would)
3. ………………. you help me with the housework, please? (Polite request)
( Use : Could/Will/should)
4. There was a time when I ………….. stay up very late. (Past ability)(Use:
would/could/can)
5. You …………….. not lose any more weight. You are already slim.
(Necessity) (Use: may/need/should)
6. We …………… make the first move. (Prohibition) (Use: must not/will
not/cannot)
7) It is snowing outside so I …………… stay at home. (Intention)( Use:
may/will/can)
8) I ………………. get you a shawl from Kashmir. (Promise) (Use:
will/would/can/may)
9) …………….. you mind if I borrowed your car? (Permission) (Use:
Will/Would/should)
10) ……………. you take care of my dog for a day? (Polite request) (Use:
Will/Shall/Should)
Answers
1. When he arrived, nobody was there to greet him. (I)
2. I bought a bicycle so I can go to school faster. (T)
3. The boy laughed so much that milk came out of his nose. (I)
4. He reads books to help him fall asleep. (T)
5. Jim is sleeping so don’t be so loud. (I)
6. When I lie down, I like to sleep on my back. (I)
7. In order to catch up in class, she wrote an essay. (T)
8. The man sneezed so hard that he fell from his chair. (I)
9. She sat down patiently waiting for her homework. (I)
10. For about an hour, they passed the ball back and forth. (T)
11. The family turned off the light and went to sleep. (T)
12. We moved the tables next to each other. (T)
13. He puts on his winter boots because it’s so cold outside. (T)
14. They waited but nobody helped them find their room. (I)
15. The train stopped abruptly. (I)
Activity 2
1. Education must be expressed in social terms. (Passive)
2. The name doesn't mean anything. (Present)
3. And it was as she had said. (Past perfect)
4. He had quite forgotten where he was. (Past perfect)
5. Haven’t I told you so? (Present perfect)
6. That opinion was expressed to me by a member. (Past/passive)
7. You've had enough of that. (Present perfect)
8. Did she have any one with her? (Past)
9. We went the way we had been in the afternoon. (Past perfect)
10. It does not seem so strange to me. (Present)
11. If he doesn't get it! (Present)
12. For a moment he is lost in thought. (Present/passive)
13. She knew that she would soon be found. (Passive)
14. You are going to kill me without any cause. (Present)
15. Don’t you wish you may get it? (Present)
16. He asked them where they were going. (Past)
17. It has long been borne in silence. (Present perfect)
18. And this time she did not laugh. (Past)
19. The day has passed to allow it. (Present perfect)
20. I was determined to break it up. (Past/passive
Activity 3
1. My grandmother is eighty-five, but she can still read and write without
glasses.
2. Can I come with you?
3. Could you help me with the housework, please?
4. There was a time when I could stay up very late.
5. You need not lose any more weight. You are already slim.
6. We must not make the first move.
7. It is snowing outside so I will stay at home.
8. I will get you a shawl from Kashmir.
9. Would you mind if I borrowed your car?
10. Will you take care of my dog for a day?