CONCEPT OF VERB
What is a verb?
words that describe acts, both physical and mental
describe a "state of being,"
action words in a phrase that describe what the subject does
Verbs, like nouns, are the most important portion of a sentence or phrase
because they tell a story about what is happening. In reality, without a verb,
whole thoughts cannot be adequately represented.
E.g. walk, laugh, swim, consider, guess, change, want, need, prefer
Sample sentence: They considered all of the awards in the competition.
Primary Categories of verbs
There are various types of verbs, besides the three primary categories of physical
verbs, mental verbs, and state of being verbs. In reality, there are over ten different
categories of verbs organized by function.
A.) Physical or Dynamic Verbs – Definition and Examples
Physical verbs are action verbs. They explain specific physical acts. If you can
make a motion with your body or use a tool to perform an action, the word you
use to describe it is almost always a physical verb.
Most verbs express a physical action or activity, which can be seen or heard.
These verbs are officially referred to as dynamic verbs, however they can also be
called action or event verbs.
Examples: walk, laugh, swim, play, eat, drink, sing, dance, talk, say
Sample sentences:
Let’s run around the corner and back.
I can hear the train coming.
Call me when you've done class.
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B.) Mental Verb - Definition and Examples
Mental verbs include meanings that are associated with notions like discovery,
comprehension, reasoning, and planning. In general, a mental verb denotes a
cognitive state.
There are a lot of actions that take place in our minds and feelings, which are not
external. Verbs that describe mental or internal actions are still dynamic verbs,
but they’re not always so obvious. These include “process verbs,” which describe
actions of transition.
Examples: consider, guess, change, grow, live, endure, succeed, fail
Sample sentences:
I know the solution.
She recognized me from across the room.
Do you believe whatever others tell you?
C.) Stative or States of Being Verbs – Definition and Examples
State-of-being verbs, also known as connecting verbs, describe existing
conditions or situations. State of being verbs are passive since no action is taking
place. Adjectives are commonly used to complement these verbs, which are
versions of to be such as am, is, and are.
State of being verbs are also referred to as linking verbs, relating verbs, or
copular verbs. They function differently than other verbs. Instead of being action
words, SOB verbs connect the subject of a sentence to more information about it,
adding meaning.
Stative verbs express a subject's current condition or feelings, including what
they like and dislike.
The fact that stative verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses is one of their
most fundamental characteristics. Stative verbs use only simple tenses or, on
occasion, the perfect. The problem is that some verbs can be either dynamic or
stative, depending on their meaning and context.
The eight “be” verbs: Is, Am, Are, Was, Were, Be, Being, Been
Examples: want, need, prefer, love, hate, like, dislike, seem, understand, know,
believe, involve, realize
Sample sentences:
I am a teacher.
We are leaving the Philippines soon.
You are really grumpy as a result of all of your studying.
What is a verb?
words that describe acts, both physical and mental
describe a "state of being,"
action words in a phrase that describe what the subject does
Verbs, like nouns, are the most important portion of a sentence or phrase
because they tell a story about what is happening. In reality, without a verb,
whole thoughts cannot be adequately represented.
E.g. walk, laugh, swim, consider, guess, change, want, need, prefer
Sample sentence: They considered all of the awards in the competition.
Primary Categories of verbs
There are various types of verbs, besides the three primary categories of physical
verbs, mental verbs, and state of being verbs. In reality, there are over ten different
categories of verbs organized by function.
A.) Physical or Dynamic Verbs – Definition and Examples
Physical verbs are action verbs. They explain specific physical acts. If you can
make a motion with your body or use a tool to perform an action, the word you
use to describe it is almost always a physical verb.
Most verbs express a physical action or activity, which can be seen or heard.
These verbs are officially referred to as dynamic verbs, however they can also be
called action or event verbs.
Examples: walk, laugh, swim, play, eat, drink, sing, dance, talk, say
Sample sentences:
Let’s run around the corner and back.
I can hear the train coming.
Call me when you've done class.
, Page 2
B.) Mental Verb - Definition and Examples
Mental verbs include meanings that are associated with notions like discovery,
comprehension, reasoning, and planning. In general, a mental verb denotes a
cognitive state.
There are a lot of actions that take place in our minds and feelings, which are not
external. Verbs that describe mental or internal actions are still dynamic verbs,
but they’re not always so obvious. These include “process verbs,” which describe
actions of transition.
Examples: consider, guess, change, grow, live, endure, succeed, fail
Sample sentences:
I know the solution.
She recognized me from across the room.
Do you believe whatever others tell you?
C.) Stative or States of Being Verbs – Definition and Examples
State-of-being verbs, also known as connecting verbs, describe existing
conditions or situations. State of being verbs are passive since no action is taking
place. Adjectives are commonly used to complement these verbs, which are
versions of to be such as am, is, and are.
State of being verbs are also referred to as linking verbs, relating verbs, or
copular verbs. They function differently than other verbs. Instead of being action
words, SOB verbs connect the subject of a sentence to more information about it,
adding meaning.
Stative verbs express a subject's current condition or feelings, including what
they like and dislike.
The fact that stative verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses is one of their
most fundamental characteristics. Stative verbs use only simple tenses or, on
occasion, the perfect. The problem is that some verbs can be either dynamic or
stative, depending on their meaning and context.
The eight “be” verbs: Is, Am, Are, Was, Were, Be, Being, Been
Examples: want, need, prefer, love, hate, like, dislike, seem, understand, know,
believe, involve, realize
Sample sentences:
I am a teacher.
We are leaving the Philippines soon.
You are really grumpy as a result of all of your studying.
