What is a verb in English grammar?

What Is a Verb?

When you hear the word “verb”, you might immediately think of an action or action word. However, a verb is more than that.

A verb is used to indicate actions, processes, conditions, or states of being of people or things.

Examples of verbs:

  • eat
  • drink
  • walk
  • talk
  • is
  • are
  • was
  • were
  • drive
  • teach
  • has
  • have

Verbs Indicating Actions or Processes

Example 1:

"Avery eats mango."

The action verb 'eats' tells what the subject (Avery) does.

Example 2:

"The school sends excellent delegates."

The verb 'sends' tells what the subject (school) does.

Verbs Indicating Conditions or Current States

Example 1:

"Vanilla is expensive."

The auxiliary verb 'is' indicates the subject’s (vanilla) current condition or state—that it is expensive.

Example 2:

"They have the same beliefs."

The auxiliary verb 'have' shows the subject’s (they) current condition or state—that they have the same beliefs.

Note: Ever wonder why the example list of verbs includes is, are, has, have, was, and were?

Click here to learn more about the different categories of verbs.

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