Understanding Verb Types: A Comprehensive Guide
Stative Verbs
Stative verbs have undefined duration. They denote states rather than actions.
Examples of Stative Verbs:
- want
- know
- have (when it means possession)
- think (when it means opinion)
- like
- love
- hate
- need
- prefer
- agree
- sound
- hear
- disagree
- wish
- look (when it means seem)
- smell
- seem
- include…
I know the truth.
I like pizza.
It sounds like a great idea.
Dynamic Verbs
As opposed to a stative verb, a dynamic (or action) verb shows continued or progressive action on the part of the subject.
Examples of Dynamic Verbs:
- act
- build
- complete
- design
- develop
- draw
- fix
- gather
- handle
- head
- help
- improve
- interview
- introduce
- justify
- listen
- lead
- measure
- narrate
- negotiate
- orchestrate
- originate
- outline
- perform
- persuade
- predict
- regulate
- record
- save
- show
- study
- target
- transform
- travel
- treat
- uncover
- unveil
- use
- validate
- value
- visualize
- widen
- write
- zap
- zoom...
These verbs can be used both in the simple and continuous forms.
Look at her! She is acting foolishly.
Action Verbs
An action verb is a verb that expresses physical or mental action.
The action verb tells us what the subject of our clause or sentence is doing – physically or mentally.
- Anthony is throwing the football.
- She accepted the job offer.
- He thought about his stupid mistake in the test.
Transitive Verbs
Transitive verbs are verbs that require one or more objects.
Examples:
- She cut the cake.
- They climbed the mountain.
- He gave her a flower.
Intransitive Verbs
By contrast, intransitive verbs do not require an object.
- They run.
- He died.
- She slept.
- It snows.
Linking Verbs
Linking verbs do not express action. Instead, they connect the subject of the verb to additional information about the subject. Look at the examples below:
- Keila is a shopaholic.
- During the afternoon, my cats are content to nap on the couch.
The following verbs are true linking verbs: any form of the verb be [am, is, are, was, were, has been, are being, might have been, etc.], become, and seem. These true linking verbs are always linking verbs.
Conjunctions
A conjunction is a part of speech that is used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences. Conjunctions are considered to be invariable grammar particles, and they may or may not stand between items they conjoin.
Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions are parts of speech that join dependent clauses to independent clauses. Sometimes referred to as subordinators or subordinate conjunctions, these important words and phrases may also introduce adverb clauses.
The subordinate conjunction has two jobs. First, it provides a necessary transition between the two ideas in the sentence. This transition will indicate a time, place, or cause and effect relationship. Here are some examples:
- We looked on top of the refrigerator, where Jenny will often hide a bag of chocolate chip cookies.
- Because her teeth were chattering in fear, Lynda clenched her jaw muscle while waiting for her turn to audition.
List: After, although, as, as soon as, because, before, by the time, every time, even if, if, in case, just in case, once, only if, since, unless, until, when, whenever, whereas, while
Coordinating Conjunctions
A coordinating conjunction is a word that joins two elements of equal grammatical rank and syntactic importance. They can join two verbs, two nouns, two adjectives, two phrases, or two independent clauses. The seven coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.
Correlative Conjunctions
As suggested by their name, correlative conjunctions correlate, working in pairs to join phrases or words that carry equal importance within a sentence. Like many of the most interesting parts of speech, correlative conjunctions are fun to use. At the same time, there are some important rules to remember for using them correctly.
Either … or, neither … nor, and not only … but also are all correlative conjunctions. They connect two equal grammatical items. If, for example, a noun follows either, then a noun will also follow or. Read these examples:
- In the fall, Phillip will either start classes at the community college as his mother wishes or join the Navy, his father’s hope.
The Interjection
The interjection is a part of speech which is more commonly used in informal language than in formal writing or speech. Basically, the function of interjections is to express emotions or sudden bursts of feelings. They can express a wide variety of emotions such as: excitement, joy, surprise, or disgust.
Examples: Aha, Boo, Crud, Dang, Eew, Gosh, Goodness, Ha, Oh, Oops, Oh no, Ouch, Rats, Shoot, Uh-oh, Uh-huh, Ugh, Yikes, Yuck