M3: Verbs

There are 5 main types of verbs in 3 categories in English.

Action Verbs Non-Action Auxiliary Verbs

1.Transitive 

2.Intransitive

3.To-Be

4.Linking

5. An auxiliary verb helps the main (full) verb and is also called a "helping verb." 

(See examples in the chart below)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(See examples in the chart below)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With auxiliary verbs, you can write sentences in different tenses, moods, or voices. Auxiliary verbs are: be, do, have, will, shall, would, should, can, could, may, might, must, ought, etc. Examples include:

  • I think I should study harder to master English.
  • I am having a cup of coffee.
  • You have been practicing hard.
  • It was written by a petitioner.
  • You may choose what you like.

 

verbs

In ESL teaching we don't start our instruction with grammar.  In other words, beginner ELs do not start out learning to diagram sentences or conjugate verbs. That comes later after they are already somewhat proficient in English.

But for you to understand language and the parts of language, we need to go in-depth into these different parts of speech.

Here is a fun, introductory, and kid-friendly video about verbs. If you are not familiar with Jack Hartman, you should be! You can subscribe to his YouTube channel when you watch his video. (Lyrics are provided for the songs in the video description. You will want to open YouTube to see them).