Contents hide

Types of verbs:

Verbs in English can be categorised into four main types: main verbs, auxiliary verbs, modal verbs, and linking verbs.

A main verb:

A lexical verb, also known as a principal verb, is a verb that conveys the primary meaning or action in a sentence.

In other words, it is the verb that describes the action, occurrence, or state of being of the subject in a sentence.

For example, She is singing a song.

The main verb is singing because it conveys the action being performed by the subject she.

Main verbs can be used in different tenses and forms to indicate different times, moods, and aspects of the action.

Auxiliary verbs:

also known as helping verbs, are verbs that are used in conjunction with main verbs to form verb phrases.

They can convey information about tense, aspect, and voice, among other things.

Examples of auxiliary verbs include be, have, and do.

Modal verbs:

also known as modal auxiliaries, are a type of auxiliary verb that expresses the speaker’s attitude towards the action or event being described.

Modal verbs include can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, and would.

Linking verbs:

also known as copular verbs, are verbs that link the subject of a sentence to a complement, which can be either a noun, pronoun, or adjective.

Examples of linking verbs include be, become, seem, appear, and feel.

Verbs can sometimes function as more than one type.

For example, be can be both a linking verb (she is happy) and an auxiliary verb (she is singing).