Verbs

 Find general information about Verbs on this page, as well as examples of English verbal inflection and Tense present simple present continuous  present perfect past simple past continuous past perfect passive

For more about tense, also see: present simple vs.present continuous past simple vs. past continuous past simple vs. present perfect past simple vs. past perfect

**Verbs** __//Definition//__: actions, processes, and states

//__Examples__//: to play, to think, to be (infinitive verb forms)

//__The function__//: Verbs explain what the subject is doing or what is happening.

//__In a sentence__:// Verbs tend to follow the subject and usually come before the object.

//__Grammatical forms associated__:// Linking verbs, Tenses, Auxiliary verbs, Intransitive, Transitive, and Ditransitive verbs

//__Problems learners may have__:// Tenses, Irregular verb form endings

__**Verbal Inflection**__
 * Infinitive || to put || to jump || to go ||
 * Present Simple || (I) put || (I) jump || (I) go ||
 * Past Simple || (I) put || (I) jumped || (I) went ||
 * Past Participle || (I) have put || (I) have jumped || (I) have gone ||
 * __How to From the Present Simple: Example: To Jump__**
 * __How to From the Present Simple: Example: To Jump__**

note: This is inflectional morphology on the verb**.**


 * Person || Singular || Plural ||
 * 1st person || jump || jump ||
 * 2nd person || jump || jump ||
 * 3rd person || jumps || jump ||

**Tense** __**Present Tense:**__ __Present Simple:__ Formed: Bare infinitive + -s in 3rd person singular

Ex. Billy jumps over the fence

Uses: - general fact - habit/repeated action - commentary - future schedule - graphic present

__Present Continuous:__ Formed by: Subject + auxiliary: to be + -ing form

Ex. Billy is jumping over the fence

Uses: - changes - 'right now'/'around now' - future plans - description of picture - less permanent

Note: Some verbs can only be in the present simple, 'state verbs'

to believe to be to know

__Present Perfect:__ The perfect aspect is formed by using the auxiliary verb: to have + the past participle. We tend to use the present perfect for past experiences. I have gone to France.I have eaten frog legs. Ex. I have seen the Eiffel Tower. Note: Native speakers tend to make contractions. I have gone to France becomes I've gone to France.

Use: -past experiences: how long, since, for, before, once, twice -no specific time (past time)

__**Past tense**__

__Past Simple:__ Forms: regular verbs: -ed irregular verbs: 2nd form

Ex. She //walked// to the store (regular) She //ran// to the store (irregular)

Uses: something already passed -sequence of events -polite remoteness- "Did anyone want to answer that?"

__Past Continuous:__ Forms: Aux + -ing Ex: I //was jumping// on the trampoline.

Uses: narrative -usually with a second event in past simple

__Past Perfect:__ Forms: Aux: have + past participle (3rd form) Ex. I //had worked// till 9pm.

Use: Narrative "Jump Back" -to show a jump within the past; even //further// back into the past

Future Tense: No 'set form' of future tense, some argue 'not real tense'

Different forms:

will + bare infinitive going to + infinitive present continuous present simple

When do you use these different forms:

__Passive:__ verb: always "to be" the thematic object becomes the grammatical subject Example: A dinner was cooked for the group.
 * for every tense there is a passive option

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