5.1 Verbs and Verb Groups

As explained in the section on clauses, verbs and verb groups are the core of the clause as these are the words which express what is happening - an action or a state. Clauses need a verb in order to make sense. At primary school verbs are often called 'doing' or 'being' words.

Verb groups consist of more than one word. For example, auxiliary verbs (helping verbs) may be needed to form different tenses (see below).

5.1. Types of Verbs

Different types of verbs refer to different aspects of our experience:

Not all verbs fit neatly into just one category, and you may find your ideas about a particular kind of verb differ from the suggestions here. See, for instance, sing and cry under saying verbs.

Action verbs

These are the 'doing' verbs which represent actions and physical happenings. They often occur in narratives and recounts when a sequence of events is being related.

Some Examples are: run, skip, hop, jump, do, swim, hold, smack, write, eat, work, play

Saying verbs

When experiences and events are reported through words, saying verbs are used. These saying verbs are often used in narratives to express the characters' thoughts and responses to events.

eg: say, shout, call, whisper, beg, sing*, growl, whimper, cry*, yell, suggest, explain, tell

*NOTE: Some verbs can act as either action or saying verbs.
"Jay sings beautifully." AND "The baby's always crying." describe something that Jay and the baby do and may be classed as action verbs.
BUT Alex sang joyfully "Oh what a beautiful morning!"/"Don't do that!" Ann cried show how Alex and Ann are expressing themselves and may seen as saying verbs.

Sensing verbs

These verbs are used to describe our mental activities, for example the thoughts, feelings, understandings and perceptions of humans. Again they are often used in narratives to reveal the characters' personalities and ideas. They are also found in expositions where ideas and opinions are being discussed, but not generally in factual information reports.

eg: love, see, believe, forget, understand, hear, *smell, remember, imagine, fear, want

*NOTE: Once again some verbs don't fit neatly into just one category and may be regarded as different types of verbs in different contexts.
In the sentence "Jo tasted the wine", taste can be regarded as a deliberate physical action on Jo's part.
BUT IN "Jo could taste the garlic in the casserole" Jo can perceive (sense) the taste of the garlic.
Taste in a sentence such as "Yum! This tastes great!" functions as a relating verb as it links two pieces of information. (See below)

Relating verbs

These verbs do not express actions (either physical, mental or verbal), but are used to link two pieces of information. 'Be' and 'have' are the two most common relating (or linking) verbs.

eg: The koala is my favourite animal (noun group). These animals are cute and cuddly (adjectivals). Sydney has a beautiful harbour. (noun)

Relating verbs are used for describing and classifying and are therefore found in information reports.

Other common relating verbs are:

Become, appear, mean, taste, smell, appear, look, equal, remain, seem, turn into, sound

*NOTE: Some of these verbs can act as 'existing' verbs when there is no relationship being expressed but simply a state. The word 'there' usually comes before these verbs and acts as a dummy or indefinite subject.
eg: There is a sharp bend at the end of the street.
There remains nothing more to be done.
There seem to be too many people in this lift.

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