CHAPTER 3
Verbs and
the verb phrase
3.1 Types of Verbs
Verbs are classified into various categories based on function and
grammatical behavior:
Lexical Verb : walk, write, play
Auxiliary Verb:
Primary Auxiliary: do, have, be
Modal Auxiliary: can, may, shall, will, could, would,
must, ought to, used to, need, dare
3.2 Verb Forms
Verbs appear in different forms depending on tense and function:
Base Form: call, drink
-s Form: calls, drinks
Past: called, drunk
-ing participle (present participle): calling, drinking
-ed participle (past participle): called, drunk
3.3 The morphology of lexical verbs
3.4 The modals and uses
Modals Uses
1. Ability
2. Permission
Can
[Link] possibility
1. Past possibility
2. Present or future permission
Could
3. Present Possibility
4. Contingent possibility or ability in unreal conditions
1. Permission
May
2. Possibility
1. Permission (rare)
Might
2. Possibility (theoretical or factual)
1. Willingness
Shall 2. Intention, only 1st person
3. Insistence (restricted use) or legal and quasi-legal injunction
1. Obligation and logical necessity
2. Putative use
Should
3. Contingent use (1st person only)
4. In rather formal real conditions
1. Willingness (polite request)
2. Intention (mainly 1st person)
Will
3. Insistence
4. Prediction
1. Willingness
2. Insistence
Would 3. Characteristic activity in the past
4. Contingent use in the main clause of a conditional sentence
5. Probability
1. Obligation or compulsion in the present tense
Must
2. Logical Necessity
Ought to Obligation; logical necessity or expectation
3.5 The subjunctive
The subjunctive in English falls into three categories:
1. The Mandative Subjunctive – Uses the base form of the verb (V) in that-
clauses following verbs or expressions of recommendation, demand, or
necessity (e.g., We insist that he go). More common in formal English,
especially in AmE. Alternative constructions include should + infinitive or
to-infinitive. (e.g It is necessary that every member should inform himself
of these rules)
2. The Formulaic Subjunctive – Fixed expressions using the base form (e.g.,
God save the Queen!, Come what may). These must be learned as set
phrases.
3. The Subjunctive were – Used hypothetically in conditional and
concessive clauses, and after verbs like wish (e.g., If I were you, I wish I were
taller). More formal than was, which is commonly used in speech.
3.6 Verbal meaning and the Progressive
The progressive aspect is only used with dynamic verbs (or verbs in
dynamic use) and is generally not used with stative verbs.
[A] Dynamic Verbs (Allow the Progressive)
1. Activity verbs – (e.g., eat, write, listen).
4.
2. Process verbs – (e.g., grow, deteriorate).
3. Bodily sensation verbs – Can be used in either simple or progressive
aspect with little difference (hurt, itch).
4. Transitional event verbs – (arrive, die, fall).
5. Momentary verbs – typically short actions; the progressive suggests
repetition (hit, jump, tap).
[B] Stative Verbs (Generally Disallow the Progressive)
1. Verbs of perception and cognition – Mental states or sensory
experiences (believe, know, love, remember). Some can become
dynamic in specific contexts (I think you are right vs. I am thinking
about you).
2. Relational verbs – Express states or relationships (be, belong, contain,
depend on, own).