BEL 120

VERB

INTRODUCTION

VERB

ACTION

TRANSITIVE INTRANSITIVE

NON-ACTION

BE LINKING AUXILIARY

DEFINITION OF VERB Word that expresses what someone or

something does, what they are or what happens to them .

often defined as a word which shows action or state of being.

The verb is the heart of a sentence - every sentence must have a verb.

One of the most important things about verbs is their relationship to time. 

ACTION VERB Expresses what someone or something

does. Verbs can be classified into :

• End in ‘-ed’ when the past tense and past participle forms are used

• Jog, jogged, jogged• Walk, walked, walkedregular

• End in other ways when the past tense and past participle forms are used

• Read, read, read• Buy, bought, boughtirregular

TRANSITIVE

Require an object in the sentence, and the object comes after the verb

Note : the object tell us who or what the action happens to. A transitive verb must have an

object because without an object, the sentence with the transitive verb is incomplete

He plays football.Adam often buys present for his family.

INTRANSITIVE

ExampleHe jogged along the track

The beautiful actress smiled

Note

A sentence with an intransitive verb is complete without an object

Definition

Does not require an object

NON-ACTION VERB Do not express any action. Used to refer to physical characteristics and

conditions. Can be categorised into : • Usually comes immediately after the

subject in statements.• Am,is,are,was,were,been,beingBe verb

• Use to link the subject of a sentence with more information about the subject.

• Can be divided into three group of expression :

• 1. Feeling and thought• 2. Possession• 3. Sensory perception

Linking verb

AffirmativeI am

He She isIt

WeThey areYou

confident

exhausted

intelligent

IHe wasSheIt

WeThey wereYou

tired

shy

Note : am /is/are is used to refer to present time.was/were is used to refer to past time.

BE VERBS

Shortened forms

I am

He isShe isIt is

We areThey areYou are

I’m

He’sShe’sIt’s

We’reThey’reYou’re

lucky

hungry

BE VERBS CONTINUE…

LINKING VERBSExpressing feeling and

thought

Expressing possession

Expressing sensory

perception

AppearBelieveKnow

UnderstandLikeLove

RecogniseWantSeemNeedMeanHatePreferDislike

OwnOweHave

PossessBelong

FeelHearLookSee

Smelltaste

EXAMPLE OF LINKING VERB

I know the lady who works at the checkout counter.

However, she does not recognise me. He owns a fleet of private jets. The fruit pie looks incredibly appetizing. It smells delicious It probably tastes good too.

AUXILIARY VERBS Support and give meaning to the main

verbs. examples :

can,could,will,would,shall,should,may,might,ought to,had better

Functions of auxiliary verbs : To express ability To express possibility To express permission To express advice To express necessity

FUNCTIONS OF AUXILIARY VERBSFUNCTION EXAMPLE

To express ability – can, could

Puan Maimunah can cook curry chicken very well.

To express possibility – may, might

The price of cooking oil may increase next month.

To express permission – may, can

We can conduct the aerobic class at the multipurpose hall.

To express advice – should, ought to, had better

You have been coughing all week. You had better consult a doctor.

To express necessity – must, have to

Don’t be a workaholic. You have to spend some time with your family.