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Verb

The part of speech which contains words like see, arrive, sleep, discuss, ask, play, can and take off. Verbs are distinguished from other parts of speech by a number of properties.

1. A verb can be marked for tense.

• I write a letter.
• She writes a letter.
• I wrote a letter.

2. A verb can be preceded by an auxiliary verb.

• I am writing a letter.
• I have written a letter.

3. A verb can form a gerund.

• Smoking is injurious to health.
• I like reading.

4. A verb can form a participle.

• I have been working.
• I have worked.

Most verbs refer to actions or states. Verbs are divided into two groups: lexical verbs and auxiliaries. Lexical verbs are further divided into intransitive and transitive verbs.