Types of Verb Forms and Functions in English

A book by the 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. But just when is a word a verb? Generally, it makes more sense to define a verb by what it does than by what it is. Just as the same word (rain or snow, for example) can serve as either a noun or a verb, the same verb can play various roles depending on how its used. Put simply, verbs move our sentences along in many different ways. Here, by identifying 10 types of verbs, well briefly consider some of their more common functions.   Auxiliary Verbs 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 pointing to 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. A lexical verb (also known as a full or main verb) is any verb in English that isnt an auxiliary verb: it conveys a real meaning and doesnt depend on another verb: It rained all night. 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. Finite Verbs and Nonfinite Verbs A finite verb expresses tense and can occur on its own in a main clause: She walked to school. A nonfinite verb (an infinitive or participle) doesnt show a distinction in tense and can occur on its own only in a dependent phrase or clause: While walking to school, she spotted a bluejay. Regular Verbs 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: We finished the project.   An irregular verb (also known as a strong verb) doesnt form the past tense by adding -d or -ed: Gus ate the wrapper on his candy bar.   Transitive Verbs and Intransitive Verbs A transitive verb is followed by a direct object: She sells seashells. An intransitive verb doesnt take a direct object: She sat there quietly. (This distinction is especially tricky because many verbs have both transitive and intransitive functions.) Does that cover everything verbs can do? Far from it. Causative verbs, for example, show that some person or thing helps to make something happen. Catenative verbs join with other verbs to form a chain or series. Copular verbs link the subject of a sentence to its complement. Then there are performative verbs, mental-state verbs,  prepositional verbs, iteratives, and reporting verbs. And we havent even touched on the passive or the subjunctive. But you get the idea. Though they can get tense and moody, verbs are hard-working parts of speech, and we can count on them to make things happen in many different ways. * Stephen Pinker, The Stuff of Thought. Viking, 2007​

Powerful Images in The Grapes of Wrath Essays - 806 Words

The Grapes of Wrath is an important commentary on society and humanity, and is intended to evoke intense feelings from readers. John Steinbeck, the author, attempts to create many true emotions about the book and the reality that it was based on. Steinbeck uses images that are very effective and have a large impact on how the characters are perceived. Some of the images show the dismal abyss that the Joad family survived in, and others show hope, endurance, and strength. Some of the most effective images are those of sadness, failure, and devastation, which cause the connection between the unforgiving and tormented land and the anguish and persecution which the resolute Joads must face constantly throughout their lives†¦show more content†¦The land could not really be owned by anyone, and neither could the Joad family, but they could still be abused and mistreated, they could still feel, the pain on that mattress there -that dreadful pain- thats you (96). T he land had been hurt and the connection between nature and human emotion required that they be hurt too. The land had loved the farmers, and had been good to them, but it was turning against them, even if there was a strong connection between the two. They knew that a man so hurt and perplexed may turn in anger, even on people he loves (36). The Joad family understood this though, especially Ma, who knew that she had to stand her ground, no matter how much pain she felt. She seemed to know that if she swayed the family shook...[or] ever really wavered or despaired, the family would fall, the family will to function would be gone (80). The earth had produced precious food and had provided comfort; Joad had been walking a long time along the beaten road under the searing heat, but nature took care of him, at the willow he knew there would be shade, at least one hard bar of absolute shade (18). The family also experienced their own joy and had achieved their own successes; Rose of Sharon provided comfort to a man in need also, she offered a dying man the milk from her breast, even after her baby was barely cold from death. In the end, theShow MoreRelatedEssay on John Steinbeck and Upton Sinclair: a Comparison1138 Words   |  5 PagesJohn Steinbeck and Upton Sinclair: A Comparison â€Å"The Grapes of Wrath†, written by John Steinbeck and â€Å"The Jungle†, written by Upton Sinclair are two books that have and will forever be impactful on American history and literature. They are both considered very powerful novels. Although these books seem very different, they are much more similar than they seem. Steinbeck tells the story of a family making their way to California amidst the Great Depression and era of the Dust Bowl, while SinclairRead MoreJohn Steinbecks Greatest Accomplishments973 Words   |  4 PagesBattle, Of Mice and Men, and The Grapes if Wrath. 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Mans Best Friend free essay sample

I believe in my best friend because he is always there for me. He stays with me when I’m sick. He lies down and watches TV with me. If I’m feeling down, he’ll run up and look me in the face with his big brown eyes, and when I acknowledge him, he rushes forwards and licks me all over the place. My best friend is my dog Baxter, and I believe in the example that he sets. I believe in the way he treats others, how after we leave him for week when we go on vacation, he isn’t mad at us for leaving him behind, but rather he jumps all over the place, going from person to person, trying to decide who to play with and say â€Å"welcome back!† to first. Likewise, when I get home from school every day I see him lying on the mudroom floor, and when he hears my key turning in the lock his tail starts thumping against the stone floor. We will write a custom essay sample on Mans Best Friend or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page When the key finally clicks in the lock and the door opens, he jumps up and runs for the nearest toy as fast as he can, to show just how much he missed us throughout the day. I believe in the way that he treats, and cares for us. How he comes running at the sound of a sneeze, licks us to make sure we’re ok when he hears our cries, real or otherwise, and how he vigilantly protects our home from the UPS man, our neighbors who go jogging, the school bus, and my sisters evil rip stick. I believe in the way that he makes new friends, not caring if they are human or animal. He tries to say hello to everyone that we meet on our walks, much to our displeasure when that â€Å"person† is a car. He tried unsuccessfully to meet our cats for several months until he caught them by surprise and gave them a couple of licks in the face each. While they were and are not thrilled by the licks, they have come to realize that he doesn’t mean them any harm. I believe in the way he takes his rewards, the fact that just being with the family is enough and that all of the treats, toys, and other gifts are a nice added bonus. I believe that we need to learn from our dogs, to stop caring about ourselves and start caring about others. How many times have we told our friends to â€Å"suck it up† when they get hurt instead of getting them a band-aid or a cold pack? How many times have we helped our friends when they are sick? We all could use a bit of â€Å"dog† in the way that we live our lives, and in the way that we care for those around us. I believe that man’s best friend has taught us that we can be man’s best friend as well.