
Most verbs describe a physical action or activity, something external that can be seen or heard. This is especially true for the most common verb: be. Subjects are important for a verb because they change how it’s conjugated, which we explain below. Except for imperative sentences (commands), a sentence also needs a subject, the thing doing the action. If there’s no verb, it’s an incomplete sentence or a sentence fragment.

She has been jogging for a month and already feels her stamina increasing.Įvery sentence needs at least one verb. Likewise, these helper verbs can change a positive statement to a negative one with words like “not.” Some verbs also act as “helper verbs” to change the tense of another verb. Salah ran across the field, kicked the ball, and scored a goal. Verbs also describe a “state of being,” like the verbs be, become, or exist. Let’s start with the basics: What is a verb? Verbs are words that describe actions, whether physical or mental. Table of contentsģ expert tips for putting verbs into action What is a verb?


This can make verbs a little confusing in English, but read on for our explanation of everything you need to know: the different types of verbs, the different forms they take, how to conjugate them in every tense, and some expert tips on how to use them when speaking or writing. Grammarly helps you communicate confidently Write with Grammarlyīecause verbs are so important, they have more rules than other types of words.
