Index

1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 5

1.1 Objectives .................................................................................................................... 5

1.1.1 Overall Objective .................................................................................................. 5

1.1.2 Specific Objectives ............................................................................................... 5

1.2 Methodology ................................................................................................................ 5

2 Verbs ................................................................................................................................... 6

2.1 Types of Verbs .............................................................................................................. 6

Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 9

References................................................................................................................................. 10
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1 Introduction

Verbs are an essential component of language and communication, serving as the

powerhouse that drives our sentences and conveys action, existence, or occurrence. As one of
the key parts of speech, verbs play a crucial role in determining the structure and meaning of
a sentence. Understanding verbs is fundamental to mastering any language, as they provide
vital information about tense, aspect, mood, voice, and agreement. From expressing simple
actions like "run" or "eat" to conveying complex concepts through modal verbs like "can,"
"may," or "should," the versatility and significance of verbs in linguistic expression cannot be
overstated.
In this research work on verbs, we aim to delve deeper into the intricacies of these dynamic
linguistic elements, exploring their various forms, functions, and roles across different
languages. By examining how verbs interact with other parts of speech and contribute to the
overall coherence and clarity of communication, we seek to enhance our understanding of
language structure and usage. Through this exploration, we hope to shed light on the diverse
ways in which verbs shape our everyday interactions, narratives, and expressions, offering
insights into the richness and complexity of human language.

1.1 Objectives
1.1.1 Overall Objective
 Know the verbs.
1.1.2 Specific Objectives
 Define verbs;
 Identify the types of vebs;
 Describe the types of verbs.

1.2 Methodology

To prepare this work, a bibliographical review was carried out. Also, the inductive method
was used, which is a method responsible for generalization, that is, we start from something
particular to a broader, more general issue.
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2 Verbs
A verb is customarily defined as a part of speech (or word class) that describes an action or
occurrence or indicates a state of being. Generally, it makes more sense to define a verb by
what it does than by what it is. Just as the same word can serve as either a noun or a verb—
"rain" or "snow," for example—the same verb can play various roles depending on how it's
used. Put simply, verbs move sentences along in many different ways (Betti, 2013, p. 9).

2.1 Types of Verbs

General Categories
Both lexical and auxiliary verbs are considered to be general verb types as these are the
broadest of verb classifications (Betti, 2021, p. 3).
Auxiliary and Lexical Verbs
An auxiliary verb (also known as a helping verb) determines the mood or tense of another
verb in a phrase. In the sentence, "It will rain tonight," for example, the verb "will" helps the
verb "rain" by explaining that the action will take place in the future. The primary auxiliaries
are the various forms of be, have, and do. The modal auxiliaries include can, could, may,
must, should, will, and would (Quirk et al. 1987,pp. 121-122; Betti and Ulaiwi, 2018, p. 84).
Dynamic Verbs and Stative Verbs
A dynamic verb indicates an action, process, or sensation: "I bought a new guitar." A Stative
verb (such as be, have, know, like, own, and seem) describes a state, situation, or condition:
"Now I own a Gibson Explorer." (Betti, 2015, p. 45).
These types of verbs are the primary way that main verbs can be distinguished. Action verbs
(also known as dynamic verbs) express something the subject does. In contrast to this, state
verbs (also known as stative verbs) express a state of mind or mental process (Betti, 2020,
p. 9).
Finite and Nonfinite Verbs
A finite verb expresses tense and can occur on its own in a main clause:
"She walked to school " (Richards, 2003, p. 14). A nonfinite verb (an infinitive or participle)
doesn't show a distinction in tense and can occur on its own only in a dependent phrase or
clause (Carnie, 2005, p. 28-30 )
While walking to school, she spotted a bluejay.
Regular and Irregular Verbs
A regular verb (also known as a weak verb) forms its past tense and past participle by adding
-d or -ed (or in some cases -t) to the base form (Stageberg, 1981, p. 42).
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We finished the project.

An irregular verb (also known as a strong verb) does not form the past tense by adding -d or
–ed.
Gus ate the wrapper on his candy bar (Betti, 2020, p. 13).
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
Transitive and intransitive verbs are types of action verbs, though linking verbs are also
intransitive verbs. It is not possible to tell whether a verb is transitive or intransitive just by
looking at the verb. It would need to be worked out from the context of the sentence (Betti
and Hashim, 2018, p. 284). A transitive verb is followed by a direct object.
She sells seashells.
By contrast, an intransitive verb does not take a direct object.
She sat there quietly.
This distinction is especially tricky because many verbs have both transitive and intransitive
functions (Betti, 2002, p. 89).
Auxiliary Verbs
The second types of verbs are auxiliary verbs. They are used to add functional or
grammatical meaning to other verbs (Radford, 2006, p. 67). So rather than being main verbs,
they may be used with a main verb in order to change its function or meaning. they are also
known as helping verbs. The two main types of auxiliary verb are (Betti, and Yaseen, 2020,
p. 61). be, do, have and will
Modals (could, should, must, will etc)
'be' 'do' 'have' 'will' Auxiliary Verbs
Be, do, have and will are three auxiliary verbs that have a variety of functions.
Modal Verbs
A modal verb is a kind of an auxiliary verb. It assists the main verb to indicate possibility,
potentiality, ability, permission, expectation, and obligation (Betti, 2021, p. 78).
The modal verbs are can, could, must, may, might, ought to, shall, should, will, would.
Example:
I may want to talk to you again.
They must play their best game to win.
She should call him.
I will go there.
Infinitives
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The third types of verbs are infinitives. It was explained above that main verbs are finite,
which means they have a subject and a tense form.
However, infinitives are non-finite as unlike main verbs they do not have a subject and they
do not take a tense form.
These are the base form of a verb and their form is the same as the base form of the present
simple that follows I, you, we and they.
Main Verb (present simple):
I like my Doctor.
Main Verb + Infinitive:
I like to see my Doctor regularly
'See' is the same as the base form of the present simple (i.e. I see, you see etc) but it is not
being used as part of the present simple tense ('like' is the
verb with the tense i.e. the main verb).
There are two types of infinitive:
Infinitive followed by 'to' (e.g. to go) as in the above example
Bare Infinitive (e.g. go) with no 'to'
Infinitive (with 'to').
Multiword Verbs
Multiwords verbs are types of verbs that are created by combining a verb (e.g. come, go,
give, look, take) with an adverb and/or a preposition (e.g. back, off, away, out, on) (Betti,
1996: 47):
Give up, take out, look away, look up to.
Looking at the example regular verb ‘learn’ in the following table, it’s clear to see that the
third-person present form ‘learns’ is created using the suffix ‘-s’ and the past tense and
participle forms ‘learned’ are made by
adding ‘-ed’ (Betti, 2007, p. 12):
Irregular verbs on the other hand such as ‘eat’ are said to have three principal parts since
their past tense (‘ate’) and past participle (‘eaten’) forms are more difficult to predict. While
there may be some discernible patterns among irregular verbs, these verbs are still irregular
in that they do not follow common structures (Betti , 2006, p. 77).
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the study of verbs illuminates the intricate tapestry of language, revealing how
these dynamic elements serve as the backbone of communication across diverse contexts and
cultures. Throughout this research work on verbs, we have delved into the multifaceted
nature of these essential linguistic components, uncovering their impact on sentence
structure, meaning, and clarity. From their role in indicating tense, aspect, and mood to their
ability to express a wide range of actions, states, and processes, verbs serve as powerful tools
for conveying information and shaping our understanding of the world.
Through our exploration of verbs in different languages, we have gained valuable insights
into the universal principles that govern verb usage as well as the unique features that
characterize specific linguistic systems. By examining how verbs interact with subjects,
objects, adverbs, and other elements within a sentence, we have seen how these versatile
words contribute to the richness and complexity of linguistic expression. Furthermore, our
analysis of verb forms, conjugations, and syntactic patterns has deepened our appreciation
for the intricate ways in which verbs function within a given language.
As we reflect on the significance of verbs in language and communication, we are reminded
of their vital role in conveying meaning, establishing relationships, and shaping our
perceptions of the world. Whether through simple actions or complex concepts, verbs enable
us to communicate our thoughts, experiences, and emotions with precision and nuance. By
continuing to explore the nuances of verbs and their impact on language use, we can further
enhance our ability to engage meaningfully with others and express ourselves effectively in a
wide range of contexts. In essence, verbs stand as testaments to the power and versatility of
language, serving as bridges that connect individuals, communities, and cultures through the
shared medium of communication.
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References
Betti, M. J. (2002e). English Phonetics. Thi-Qar: Al-Hadir.

Betti, M. J. (2006). The Grammatical Categories of Literary Prose Texts: A Study in Corpus
Linguistics. Journal of Babylon University

Betti, M. J. (2013). A Literary Analysis of Ten Plays. Diwaniya: Nippur.

Betti, M. J. (2020b). A Comprehensive Introduction to linguistics. Diwaniya: Nippur.

Betti, M. J. (2007). Jokes in Iraq: A Study of Coherence and Cohesion. Journal of the
College of Education-University of Wasit, 1,1,399-411.

Carnie, A. (2005). Syntax: a Generative Introduction. Oxford: Blackwell. Language.

London: Longman.

Quirk, R. et al. (1987). A Comprehensive Grammar of the English

Stageberg, N. (1981). An Introductory English Grammar. New York: Holt, Rinehart and
Winston.