TIME: ________

PERIOD: ________

A verb is a very important part of speech in English language. It is impossible to form a correct sentence without a verb because the verb gives meaning to the sentence. A verb tells us what the subject is doing, what is happening, or the state or condition of the subject.

In simple terms, a verb is the “engine” of a sentence. Without it, communication becomes incomplete.

1. The boy runs fast.

Explanation: The word “runs” shows the action performed by the boy. Without it, we won’t know what the boy is doing.

2. She is happy.

Explanation: The verb “is” shows the state of the subject (she). It tells us her condition.

3. They have finished their work.

Explanation: “Have finished” shows a completed action. It tells us the work is already done.

4. The baby cries loudly.

Explanation: “Cries” expresses the action the baby is performing.

A verb is a word that expresses an action, a state of being, or an occurrence in a sentence

1. Action Verbs (Dynamic Verbs)

Action verbs show what the subject is doing. The action may be physical or mental.

1. The girl writes a letter.

Explanation: “Writes” shows a physical action performed by the girl.

2. The dog barked loudly.

Explanation: “Barked” shows an action that took place in the past.

3. I believe your story.

Explanation: “Believe” is a mental action, not physical, but still an action verb.

4. The students read their books.

Explanation: “Read” shows the action carried out by the students.

These verbs do not show action but describe a state or condition.

1. She is a teacher.

Explanation: “Is” tells us her state or identity.

2. I know the answer.

Explanation: “Know” expresses a state of understanding, not action.

3. He owns a house.

Explanation: “Owns” shows possession.

4. They seem tired.

Explanation: “Seem” describes their condition.

A transitive verb must have an object to complete its meaning.

1. She bought a bag.

Explanation: “Bought” needs the object “bag” to make complete sense.

2. The teacher taught the students.

Explanation: “Taught” transfers action to “students.”

3. He kicked the ball.

Explanation: “Kicked” affects the object “ball.”

4. I wrote a letter.

Explanation: “Wrote” requires “letter” to complete the meaning.

4. Intransitive Verbs

These verbs do not need an object.

Examples:

1. The baby slept.

Explanation: The sentence is complete without any object.

2. The sun shines.

Explanation: No object is needed after “shines.”

3. The man laughed loudly.

Explanation: “Laughed” stands alone; “loudly” is just an adverb.

4. The child cried.

Explanation: The action is complete without an object.

Linking verbs connect the subject to a complement.

1. She is beautiful.

Explanation: “Is” links “she” to “beautiful.”

2. The food tastes good.

Explanation: “Tastes” connects “food” to “good.”

3. He became a doctor.

Explanation: “Became” links the subject to its new identity.

4. The sky looks cloudy.

Explanation: “Looks” connects the subject to its description.

These verbs help the main verb to express tense, mood, or voice.

1. She is writing a letter.

Explanation: “Is” helps “writing” to show present continuous tense.

2. They have completed the work.

Explanation: “Have” helps “completed” to show present perfect tense.

3. I will go tomorrow.

Explanation: “Will” shows future tense.

4. He does not like rice.

Explanation: “Does” helps to form a negative sentence.

7. Modal Verbs

Modal verbs express ability, permission, obligation, or possibility.

Examples:

1. She can swim.

Explanation: “Can” shows ability.

2. You may enter.

Explanation: “May” shows permission.

3. You must obey the rules.

Explanation: “Must” shows obligation.

4. He might come later.

Explanation: “Might” shows possibility.

Verbs appear in different forms.

Examples:

1. Base form: go

Explanation: This is the original form.

2. Past tense: went

Explanation: Shows past action.

3. Past participle: gone

Explanation: Used with auxiliary verbs.

4. Present participle: going

Explanation: Used in continuous tense.

1. walk → walked

Explanation: “-ed” is added to form past tense.

2. play → played

Explanation: Follows the same pattern.

3. talk → talked

Explanation: Regular formation.

4. clean → cleaned

Explanation: Consistent rule applied.

Irregular Verbs

1. go → went → gone

Explanation: No fixed pattern.

2. eat → ate → eaten

Explanation: Completely different forms.

3. take → took → taken

Explanation: Changes in all forms.

4. see → saw → seen

Explanation: Must be memorized.

Present Tense

1. She reads daily.

Explanation: Habitual action.

2. I am eating.

Explanation: Happening now.

3. They play football.

Explanation: Regular activity.

4. He teaches English.

Explanation: General truth.

Past Tense

1. She wrote a letter.

Explanation: Action already completed.

2. They played football.

Explanation: Past activity.

3. He went home.

Explanation: Completed movement.

4. We saw the movie.

Explanation: Past experience.

Future Tense

1. I will travel tomorrow.

Explanation: Future action.

2. She will write the exam.

Explanation: Planned future.

3. They are going to build a house.

Explanation: Intention.

4. He will arrive soon.

Explanation: Expected action.

Subject-Verb Agreement

Examples:

1. The boy runs fast.

Explanation: Singular subject takes singular verb.

2. The boys run fast.

Explanation: Plural subject takes plural verb.

3. Everyone is happy.

Explanation: “Everyone” is singular.

4. A number of students are present.

Explanation: “A number of” takes plural verb.

Active Voice

1. John wrote the letter.

Explanation: Subject performs action.

2. She cooked the food.

Explanation: Subject acts.

3. The boy kicked the ball.

Explanation: Action done by subject.

4. They completed the work.

Explanation: Subject is active.

Passive Voice

1. The letter was written by John.

Explanation: Subject receives action.

2. The food was cooked by her.

Explanation: Focus is on action.

3. The ball was kicked by the boy.

Explanation: Object becomes subject.

4. The work was completed by them.

Explanation: Emphasis shifts to action.

Verbs are essential in English grammar because they express actions, states, and occurrences. They help us form meaningful sentences and communicate effectively. A good understanding of verbs—including their types, forms, and uses—is necessary for success in WAEC examinations.

Students should practice identifying verbs, use correct tenses, and ensure proper subject-verb agreement in their writing. Mastery of verbs will greatly improve both spoken and written English.