Welcome to part two of our series on English grammar! In this article, we focus on verbs — the essential building blocks that form the heart of the sentence. Understanding how verbs work is crucial to mastering English grammar. Verbs drive the action, indicate states, and connect ideas. Whether you’re a student, teacher, or language enthusiast, learning about verbs will strengthen your command of the language and improve your writing and speaking skills.

Verbs are at the core of every complete sentence in English. Without a verb, a sentence simply doesn’t function. Let’s explore what verbs are, the different types of verbs, and why they matter in clear and practical terms.

🔑 What Is a Verb?

A verb is a word that shows what happens in a sentence — an action, an occurrence, or a state of being. Verbs allow us to describe what someone or something does, feels, or experiences.

• Examples of verbs: run, write, play, become, happen, be, seem, know

In a sentence: The students write their essays every morning.
She is tired after the run.

Verbs can indicate time (tense), mood, and voice. They are the most dynamic and essential part of any sentence structure.

⚡ Types of Verbs

1. Lexical Verbs (Main Verbs)

These carry the main meaning of the sentence. Without them, the sentence lacks purpose.

• Examples: eat, dance, believe, smile

2. Action Verbs

These express physical or mental actions. They answer the question “What is the subject doing?”

• Examples: kick, think, run, decide

3. Dynamic Verbs

A subset of action verbs — they describe processes or events that change over time.

• Examples: grow, move, talk

4. Stative Verbs

These describe a state or condition, often involving senses, emotions, or possession. They usually do not appear in continuous tenses.

• Examples: know, love, own, prefer

Correct: I know the answer.
Incorrect: I am knowing the answer.

🧰 Auxiliary and Modal Verbs

🔧 Auxiliary Verbs

These “helping” verbs assist the main verb by forming questions, negatives, or verb phrases in different tenses.

• Examples: be, do, have

Examples in use: She is reading. They have eaten. Do you know him?

💭 Modal Verbs

These express ability, possibility, necessity, or permission, and are followed by the base form of the main verb.

• Examples: can, must, should, might

Examples in use: You should try it. He might be home. We must leave now.

🧠 Test Yourself!

Can you spot the different types of verbs in this sentence?

She can sing, but she is still learning the lyrics.

Answer:

• can – modal verb
• sing – lexical verb
• is – auxiliary verb
• learning – lexical (dynamic) verb

✍️ Why Verbs Matter

Understanding how verbs work is essential to mastering English sentence structure. Verbs:

• Communicate actions and mental states
• Help form questions and negatives
• Allow us to describe time and sequence through tenses
• Provide essential structure and clarity to sentences

In short, verbs are what bring language to life. They are the pulse, the energy — truly, the heart of the sentence.