Verbs in English
A verb in syntax is a part of speech which conveys
- action (bring, read, walk, run, learn)
- or state of being (exist, stand)
Sentence in English have a main verb which is stated in a tense (simple present, simple past, simple future...)
Inflections
Verbs are inflected, modified in form, when conjugated. For example, verbs take s, ed or ing in some of its forms depending on the tense and the subject-verb agreement.
Agreement
In English a verb may agree with the person and number of its subject. For example, verbs take s in the third person singular of the simple present:
| Bare Infinitive | Third Person Singular |
|---|---|
| play | he, she, it plays |
| work | he, she, it works |
When the verb to have conjugates in the third person singular of the simple present, the right inflection is has NOT haves
The verb to be has different inflections:
| to be | |
|---|---|
| I | am |
| he, she, it | is |
| we, you, they | are |
Transitive or intransitive verbs
Verbs can be classified according to whether they are transitive or intransitive verbs:
- Intransitive: the verb only has a subject.For example:he runs - it falls.
- Transitive: the verb has a subject and a direct object.For example:she speaks English - we visit him.
What is a finite verb?
A finite verb is a form of a verb that has a subject and exhibit tense and number in an independent clause or sentence. Finite verbs are distinguished from non-finite verb which do not show a distinction in tense and number, and cannot stand alone as the main verb in an independent clause.
Examples
They watched the match. - They is a subject; watched is a finite verb; the match is an object.
They are watching the match. - They is a subject; are is a finite verb; watching is a non-finite verb (which does not exhibit tense and number); the match is an object.
What is a non-finite verb?
A non- finite verb is a form of a verb that does not have a subject and and does not exhibit tense and number in an independent clause or sentence. In English, the non-finite verb forms are infinitives and gerunds and participles. Non-finite verbs are distinguished from finite verbs which show a distinction in tense and number, and may stand alone as the main verb in an independent clause.
Examples
They are writing the letter. - They is a subject; are is a finite; writing is a non-finite verb (which does not exhibit tense nor number); the match is an object.
They wrote the letter . - They is a subject; wrote is a finite verb; the letter is an object.
Causative verbs
Causative structures indicate that one thing or person causes another thing or person to do something or be something.
Examples of causatives
Have (give someone the responsibility to do something)
- I had John fix the car
- I had my hair cut
Make (force someone to do something)
- The teacher made the students work in groups
- Our boss made us work extra hours
Get (convince or trick someone into doing something)
- He got the mechanic to repair the machine.
- She got him to read more.
Let (allow someone do something)
- Jane let her son go out
- They let the children play in the yard
PART OF SPEECH, Source: https://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar.php,
