Action Verbs
Action Verbs are verbs that express action. Ex: run, walk, do, and drive.
I’ll do my homework when I get home.
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
Most action verbs are defined as transitive or intransitive. This means that some are used with a direct object (the person or thing that receives the action of the subject) and others don’t need a direct object. Some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive depending on their meaning.
- Transitive Verb – Joe will send the price quote as soon as he can.
- Intransitive Verb – Many of the students are not well. They coughed throughout the lesson.
Transitive Verbs
Transitive verbs always receive a direct object:
- Richard annoys his boss so much that he’ll never get a promotion.
(His boss is the direct object of annoys and a promotion is the direct object of get) - Jenna brings Mrs. Smith lunch every day.
(Mrs. Smith is the direct object of brings. Jenna is the subject.
Here’s a list of some common transitive verbs that must be followed by a direct object:
- Bring send owe contain buy show take tell verify check get
- Wash finalize annoy lay lend offer edit make phone
Intransitive Verbs
Intransitive verbs do not need a direct object in order to complete their meaning. Many are followed by an adjective, adverb, preposition or verb complement (gerund or infinitive).
Here is a list of common intransitive verbs:
- Come explode laugh sit rise excel respond run cough swim
- Emigrate smile act cry immigrate lie arrive continue die
- If Cathy continues to be late for work, the boss will fire her.
(Continues is followed by an infinitive (to be), with no direct object.) - The bomb exploded in the city center.
(Exploded is followed by a preposition of place with no direct object.)
Many verbs can be both transitive and intransitive depending on their meanings.
Examples
- Jamie set the documents down on the CEO’s desk.
(Transitive: The documents are the direct object to the verb: set.) - The sun set low over the Pacific Ocean.
(Intransitive: Low is an adverb. Set doesn’t need a direct object.) - Ms. Tyson manages the accounting department.
(Transitive: The accounting department is the direct object to the verb: manage.) - John has had difficulty managing since his wife’s death.
(Intransitive: Since is a preposition of time. Managing doesn’t need a direct object)
Note: Transitive and intransitive verbs can appear in any tense.
Here is a list of several verbs that can be both transitive and intransitive depending on their meanings:
- Set leave give study sit grow smell dance sing write teach burn
- Eat paint drive manage stop climb run check cost go pay
- improve
Exercises – Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
Decide whether the following verbs are transitive, intransitive or both:
- The workmen have been painting for hours. ________________
- When they call from the charity, Mrs. Alpert always gives generously. __________
- Before you send the proposal, make sure you edit it carefully. ____________
- That perfume smells nice. __________________
- My new car cost me a small fortune. _________________
- Jim owed his landlord $450. _____________
- Pete emigrated from Australia in 1998. _________________
- The customer was tired of waiting, so he got up and left._____________
- Are you sure you want to paint the ceiling too? _____________________
- Please take the documents over to Mrs. Samuels’ office. _____________
Answers:
1. Intransitive 2.intransitive 3.transitive 4.intransitive 5.transitive 6.transitive 7.Intransitive 8.intransitive 9.transitive 10.transitive
Stative Verbs
Stative verbs are verbs that express a state rather than an action. They usually relate to thoughts, emotions, relationships, senses, states of being and measurements. These verbs are not usually used with ing in progressive (continuous) tenses even though they may take on time expressions such as now and at the moment. We use the simple tenses for them.
- Paul feels rotten today. He has a bad cold.
- Do you recognize him? He is a famous rock star.
- Our client appreciated all the work we did for him.
- Incorrect: I’m smelling your wife’s wonderful spaghetti sauce.
- Correct: I smell your wife’s wonderful spaghetti sauce.
However, there are some verbs that look like they should be stative, but may appear in the ing form. These verbs differ in meaning to the stative verbs.
Examples:
see
- I see Michael, but he can’t see me. I’m too far away. (I see him with my eyes.)
- James is seeing Marsha. They’ve been together for a month. (He’s dating her.)
hear
- I hear music coming from the Smith’s apartment. Someone must be home now. (To experience sound)
- I’m hearing voices. (I’m imagining it)
have
- Jeremy has a Mercedes. (He owns it.)
- Sara is having lunch with her editor. (She’s eating lunch)
List of Stative Verbs
- Adore agree appear (seem) appreciate be (exist) believe belong to
- concern consist of contain cost deny depend on deserve
- detest disagree dislike doubt equal feel hate have (possession)
- hear imagine include involve know lack like loathe
- look (seem) love matter mean measure mind need owe
- own possess promise realize recognize remember resemble
- satisfy see seem smell sound suppose surprise taste
- think (opinion) understand want weigh wish
Auxiliary (or Helping) Verbs
Auxiliary (or Helping) verbs are used together with a main verb to show the verb’s tense or to form a negative or question. The most common auxiliary verbs are have, be, and do.
- Does Sam write all his own reports?
- The secretaries haven’t written all the letters yet.
- Terry is writing an e-mail to a client at the moment.
Modal Verbs
Modal and Modal Phrases (Semi-Modals)
A modal is a type of auxiliary (helping) verb that is used to express: ability, possibility, permission or obligation. Modal phrases (or semi-modals) are used to express the same things as modals, but are a combination of auxiliary verbs and the preposition to. The modals and semi-modals in English are:- Can/could/be able to
- May/might
- Shall/should
- Must/have to
- Will/would
Can, Could, Be Able To
Can, could and be able to are used to express a variety of ideas in English:Ability/Lack of Ability
Present and Future:
can/can’t + base form of the verb- Tom can write poetry very well.
- I can help you with that next week.
- Lisa can’t speak French.
am not/ isn’t / aren’t/ won’t be + able to + base form of the verb
- Mike is able to solve complicated math equations
- The support team will be able to help you in about ten minutes.
- I won’t be able to visit you next summer.
Past:
could / couldn’t + base form of the verb- When I was a child I could climb trees.
wasn’t / weren’t + able to + base form of the verb
hasn’t / haven’t + been able to + base form of the verb
- I wasn’t able to visit her in the hospital.
- He hasn’t been able to get in touch with the client yet.
- Incorrect: I can to help you this afternoon.
- Correct: I can help you this afternoon.
- Correct: I will (I’ll) be able to help you this afternoon.
Possibility / Impossibility
can / can’t + base form of the verb- You can catch that train at 10:43.
- He can’t see you right now. He’s in surgery.
- I could fly via Amsterdam if I leave the day before.
Ask Permission / Give Permission
Can + Subject + base form of the verb (informal)- Can you lend me ten dollars?
- You can borrow my car.
- Could I have your number?
- Could I talk to your supervisor please?
Make a suggestion – To make a suggestion use:
Could + base form of the verb (informal)- You could take the tour of the castle tomorrow.
Exercises: Can, Could, Be able to
Fill in the correct form of can, could or be able to as in the examples.- Ben could not help his little brother with his homework yesterday.
- Can I call you later tonight?
- _______ Tony run long distances when he was a boy?
- ______ you please call a tow truck for me? My car broke down. (polite)
- The students _______ to buy their textbooks today. The bookstore is all out of them.
- ______ you teach me how to fix my computer? You’re so good at it.
- ______ you ______ reach the customer if you call him at 4:00 his time?
- Could 2.Could 3.aren’t able 4.Can 5.Will/be able to
May, Might
Formal Permission / Formal Prohibition
may / may not + base form of the verb- You may start your exam now.
- You may not wear sandals to work.
Polite Request
May + subject + base form of the verb- May I help you?
Possibility / Negative Possibility
may/ might + base form of the verb- We may go out dinner tonight. Do you want to join us?
- Our company might get the order if the client agrees to the price.
- Adam and Sue may not buy that house. It’s very expensive.
- They might not buy a house at all.
To Make a Suggestion (when there is no better alternative)
may as well / might as well + base form of the verb- You may as well come inside. John will be home soon.
- We might as well take Friday off. There’s no work to be done anyway.
Polite Suggestion
might + base form of the verb- You might like to try the salmon fillet. It’s our special today.
Exercises: May / Might
Fill in the correct form of may or might as in the example.- May I sit here? They ______ finish the project on time. The main engineer is ill.
- You _____ want to stop by the museum gift shop on your way out.
- _____ I have your autograph?
- He _______ visit the Louvre. He’s in Paris anyway.
- You ______ park your car here. It’s reserved for guests of the hotel only.
- might not 2.might 3.May 4.may as well 5.may not
Shall, Should, Ought to
To Offer of Assistance or Polite Suggestion (When you are quite sure of a positive answer)
Shall + subject + base form of the verb- Shall we go for a walk?
To Offer of Assistance or Polite Suggestion (When you are not sure of a positive answer)
Should + subject + base form of the verb- Should I call a doctor?
A Prediction or Expectation that Something Will Happen
should/shouldn’t + base form of the verb- The proposal should be finished on time.
- I shouldn’t be late. The train usually arrives on time.
To Give Advice
should / ought to + base form of the verb- You should check that document before you send it out.
- You ought to have your car serviced before the winter.
To Give Advice (about something you think wrong or unacceptable)
shouldn’t + base form of the verb- James shouldn’t teach him words like those.
Exercises: Should, Shouldn’t, Ought To
Fill in should, shouldn’t or ought in the following sentences as in the example.- He shouldn’t encourage such bad behavior.
- You _____ get your teeth cleaned at least once a year.
- The house ______ be ready to move into by next month. It’s almost finished.
- Ron ________ to improve his attitude. If he doesn’t, he might get fired.
- ________ I get your jacket? It’s cold in here.
- You ________ put your feet on the table. It’s not polite.
- Should should ought shall shouldn’t
Must, Have to, Need to, Don’t have to, Needn’t
Necessity or Requirement
Present and Future:
must / have to / need to + base form of the verb- You must have a passport to cross the border.
- Elisabeth has to apply for her visa by March 10th.
- I need to drop by his room to pick up a book.
Past:
had to / needed to + base form of the verb- I had to work late last night.
- I needed to drink a few cups of coffee in order to stay awake.
Almost 100% Certain
must + base form of the verb- Thomas has lived in Paris for years. His French must be very good.
To Persuade
must / have to + base form of the verb- You must try this wine. It’s excellent.
- You have to visit us while you’re in town.
Prohibited or Forbidden
must not / mustn’t + base form of the verb- You must not drive over the speed limit.
- You mustn’t leave medicines where children can get to them.
Lack of Necessity
don’t /doesn’t /didn’t + have to + base form of the verb- You don’t have to park the car. The hotel valet will do it for you.
- Tim doesn’t have to go to school today. It’s a holiday.
- You didn’t have to shout. Everyone could hear you.
- You needn’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.
Exercises: Must, Have to, Need to, Don’t Have to, Needn’t
Fill in the blanks with one of these modals:must, must not, have to, has to, don’t have to, doesn’t have to, needn’t as in the examples.
There may be more than one correct answer.
- Shira doesn’t have to drive to the airport. She’s going by taxi.
- You must speak politely to the customers.
- You ______ tell Anna about the party tomorrow night. It’s a surprise! (must not, need to, doesn’t have to)
- Tina _______ register for her classes on Monday, otherwise she won’t get a place in them. (doesn’t have to, mustn’t, has to)
- You ________ send that fax. I’ve already sent it. (must, will have to, don’t have to)
- A dog ______ get special training in order to be a guide dog. (must, need to, don’t have to)
- Jeremy _______ get up early tomorrow. His class was cancelled. (mustn’t, doesn’t have to, don’t need to)
- must not has to don’t have to must doesn’t have to
Modals: Will / Would
will / won’t + base form of the verb
- John will pick you up at 7:00am.
- Beth won’t be happy with the results of the exam.
Polite Request or Statement
Will / Would + base form of the verb- Will you please take the trash out?
- Would you mind if I sat here?
- I’d (I would) like to sign up for your workshop.
Habitual Past Action
Would/Wouldn’t + base form of the verb- When I was a child, I would spend hours playing with my train set.
- Peter wouldn’t eat broccoli when he was a kid. He loves it now.
Exercises: will, would
Fill in the blanks with one of the following words: will, won’t, would, wouldn’t.- Will you please help me lift this box?
- I ______ like to order the onion soup please.
- The manager _______ be pleased to hear that a customer slipped on the wet floor.
- _______ it be okay if I slept here tonight?
- When Igor lived in Russia, he ________ call his mother as often as he does now.
- I can assure you sir, the order ______ be shipped out tonight.
- Would won’t would wouldn’t will
Exercises – All Modals
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the following modals:can, could, be able to, may, might, shall, should, must, have to, don’t have to, need to
– You may have to make the modals negative according to the context of the sentence.
– There may be more than one possibility.
- He has to take his car to be serviced. The brakes are squeaking.
- Would you please save me a seat at the dinner event.
- If you are sick, you ________ go to work. You’ll infect everyone there.
- Drivers _______ stop at red lights.
- You _______ finish the proposal today. You can finish it tomorrow.
- She ______ hear much better with her new hearing aids.
- ______ I order us a bottle of wine?
- Sam ______ pick his daughter up from school. She’s taking the bus home.
- You _____________ smoke here. It’s a smoke-free building.
- You ________ eat so many sweets. They are bad for you.
- _________ you mind walking a little faster? We’re going to be late.
- I’m sorry. I _______ help you. I don’t know how to do it.
- shouldn’t must don’t have to can shall
- needn’t mustn’t shouldn’t would can’t
What are Phrasal Verbs?
A phrasal verb is a combination of words (a verb + a preposition or verb +adverb) that when used together, usually take on a different meaning to that of the original verb.
- break down, check in, tear up
When we use phrasal verbs, we use them like normal verbs in a sentence, regardless if it’s a regular or irregular verb.
- Ella tore up the letter after she read it.
- Their car broke down two miles out of town.
- Did the manager deal with that customer’s complaint.
Exercises
Choose the correct phrasal verb from the parenthesis at the end of the sentence.
- Someone broke into my car last night and stole the stereo. (broke down/broke into)
- Will you be able to get by this month with the little you have?(get off / get by)
- His father always taught him not to ____ those people with less. (look up to / look down on)
- John ____ from drinking so much last night and doesn’t remember anything today. (passed out / passed away)
- Stop complaining and ____ your work! (get on with / get over)
- The boss wants you to _____ your figures for this month to him. (hand out / hand in)
- We’re going to have to _____ our trip to Spain until September. (put up/ put off)
- I _____ Amir today at the supermarket. It was great to see him. (ran out of / ran into)
- I’m so tired of Sophie ___her engagement ring all the time. (showing off, showing up)
- The police would not _____ to the kidnapper’s demands. (give up/ give in)
- I thought I would ____ for a cup of coffee. Is that okay? (drop off/ drop in)
- Have you ever ______ such an unusual piece of art? (come forward/come across)
Answers:
- look down on passed out get on with hand in put off
- ran into showing off give in drop in come across
Irregular Verbs
Irregular verbs are verbs that don’t take on the regular –d, -ed, or -ied spelling patterns of the past simple (V2) or past participle (V3). Many of the irregular V2 and V3 forms are the same, such as: cut – cut, had – had, let – let, hurt – hurt, fed- fed, sold-sold
Confusing Verbs
There are many verbs and verb forms that cause problems for native and non-native Englsih speakers alike.
- Do, Does, Did – The Verb to do
- Have, Has, Had – The Verb to have
- Am, Is, Are, Was, Were, Been – The Verb to be
Many verbs sound so similar that it’s easy to get confused between them. Here is a list of some of the most common confusing verb pairs, their meanings and examples of how they should be used in a sentence.
Exercises – Confusing verbs
Choose the correct word from the parenthesis at the end of the sentence as in the example.
- As a child, I spent each summer in France with my grandmother. (spent/wasted)
- I have already ____ to the customs in this new country I live in. (adapted / adopted)
- Ed ______ Suzanne at a single’s party last month. (met / knew)
- The girls ____ money from their father to buy their mom a gift. (lent / borrowed)
- My father _______ the American flag on all US holidays. (raises / rises)
- He’s ________ down because he doesn’t feel well. (laying / lying)
- Cho left China and _______ to Australia in 1998. (emigrated / immigrated)
- I don’t know how to do it, but I’m sure the service department ________ help you. (can / may)
- I hope you will _______ your job well. (make / do)
- Anna parties every night. It has started _______ her work. (effecting / affecting)
- Please turn off the lights. We don’t like to _____ energy. (spend / waste)
Answers:
- Adapted met borrowed raises lying immigrated can do
- Affecting waste
Gerunds and Infinitives
Gerunds and infinitives are sometimes referred to as verb complements. They may function as subjects or objects in a sentence. A gerund is a verb in its –ing form that functions as a noun. It can appear at the beginning of a sentence when used as a subject, as an object following the verb, or as an object after a preposition. Ex: swimming, helping, jogging.- Jogging is a hobby of mine.
- Daniel quit smoking a year ago.
- I look forward to helping you paint the house.
Some verbs may be followed by either a gerund or and infinitive.
A verb that appears with a to before it. An infinitive is usually used as an object following the verb but can also be used at the beginning of a sentence as a subject.
Ex: to buy, to hear, to travel
Ex: to buy, to hear, to travel
- You promised to buy me a diamond ring.
- To travel around the world requires a lot of time and money.
Some verbs may be followed by either a gerund or and infinitive.
Verbing (Present Participle)
- Add ing to most verbs. Ex. play > playing, cry > crying, bark > barking
- For verbs that end in e, remove the e and add ing. Ex: slide > sliding, ride > riding
- For verbs that end in ie, change the ie to y and add ing. Ex: die > dying, tie > tying
- For a verb whose last syllable is written with a consonant-vowel-consonant and is stressed, double the last letter before adding ing. Ex: beg > begging, begin > beginning. However: enter > entering (last syllable is not stressed)
A gerund is a verb in its ing (present participle) form that functions as a noun that names an activity rather than a person or thing. Any action verb can be made into a gerund.
Gerunds can appear at the beginning of a sentence when used as a subject:
- Jogging is a hobby of mine.
Gerunds can act as an object following the verb:
- Daniel quit smoking a year ago.
Gerunds can serve as an object after a preposition:
- I look forward to helping you paint the house.
Note: The same spelling rules that apply to the progressive tenses also apply to gerunds.
Some verbs and verb phrases are directly followed a gerund:
- Paul avoids using chemicals on the vegetables he grows.
Some verbs can be followed by a gerund or an infinitive without causing a change in meaning:
- Some people prefer getting up early in the morning.
- Some people prefer to get up early in the morning
Some verbs can be followed by a gerund or infinitive but with a change in meaning:
- He remembered sending the fax. (He remembered the act of send the fax)
- He remembered to send the fax. (He remembered the fax and sent it.)
What are Infinitives?
An infinitive is a verb form that acts as other parts of speech in a sentence. It is formed with to + base form of the verb. Ex: to buy, to work.
Infinitives can be used as:
an object following the verb:
- Jim always forgets to eat
a subject at the beginning of a sentence:
- To travel around the world requires a lot of time and money.
an adverb modifying a verb:
- You promised to buy me a diamond ring.
an adjective modifying a noun:
- Tara has the ability to succeed.
Some verbs are directly followed by an infinitive:
- Do you want to call your family now?
Some verbs are directly followed by a noun or pronoun and then by an infinitive:
- I convinced Catherine to become vegetarian.
- He advised me to sell all my shares of stock.
Some verbs can be followed by an infinitive or a gerund without causing a change in meaning:
- Will you continue working after you give birth?
- Will you continue to work after you give birth?
Some verbs can be followed by an infinitive or a gerund but with a change in meaning:
- He stopped drinking coffee. (He never drank coffee again.)
- He stopped to drink coffee. (He stopped what he was doing and drank some coffee.)
Exercises – Gerunds and Infinitives
Choose the correct gerund or infinitive from the parenthesis at the end of the sentence.
- She likes to get up early in the morning. (likes / dislikes)
- 1. Alan can’t stand _________ on trains. (riding/ to ride)
- Mr. Harris enjoys _________ people out to dinner. (inviting / to invite)
- In the old days, gentlemen challenged their rivals _______. (fighting / to fight)
- As the famous saying goes, there’s no use ______ over spilt milk. (crying / to cry)
- Jim stopped _________ his shoelace. Wait for him. (tying / to tie)
- My wife always volunteers ___________ cakes PTA meetings. (baking / to bake)
- Don’t waste my time ___________ about your salary. (complaining/ to complain)
- Eva is having trouble _________ on the exam. (concentrating / to concentrate)
- Please allow me ____________ your Facebook page. (joining / to join)
- You won’t forget _________milk on your way home, will you? (picking up /to pick up)
Answers: riding inviting to fight crying to tie to bake
- Complaining concentrating to join to pick up
Reference Lists – Gerunds and Infinitives List of common verbs and phrases that are followed by a gerund
- Admit advise avoid be used to can’t help can’t stand consider deny
- Discuss dislike end up enjoy feel like finish forget get used to
- give up go on have difficulty have problems have trouble
- imagine it’s no use it’s worthwhile keep look forward to
- mention mind miss recommend remember quit spend time stop
- suggest understand waste time work at
List of common verbs that can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive without causing a change in meaning
- begin continue hate intend like love prefer start
List of common verbs that can be followed by a gerund or infinitive but with a change in meaning
- forget remember stop
List of common verbs are followed by an infinitive
- afford agree appear arrange ask care decide
- demand expect fail forget hope learn manage mean
- offer plan prepare pretend promise refuse remember
- seem stop volunteer wait want wish
List of common verbs that are directly followed by a noun or pronoun and then by an infinitive
- advise allow ask cause challenge command convince expect
- forbid force hire instruct invite order pay permit program remind
- teach tell urge want warn
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