Verbs

Verbs

A verb is an action part of speech. It can also express a state of being, or the relationship between two things. It is most powerful when following a noun. Example: He HIT her. Verbs are the most complicated part of speech because they can sometimes become nouns, depending on their use.

The three kinds of verbs: transitive verbs, intransitive verbs, and linking verbs.

Transitive verbs

These take objects. Transitive verbs carry the action of subject and apply it to the object.

Example: She TOOK the bags.

Intransitive verbs

These do not take an object, but express actions that do not require the agent doing something to something else.

Example: She LEFT.

Linking verbs

These link the agent with the rest of the sentence and explain the link between the subject and the rest of the sentence.

Examples: appear, grow, seem, smell, taste

Example: Maria seems tired from shopping.

The Lay/Lie and Raise/Rise Confusion

These two pairs of verbs are constantly misused. In each, there is a transitive verb (TRV) and an intransitive verb (INV).

Lie — Intransitive, means recline or be situated
Lay — Transitive, means to place or put something

Rise — Intransitive, means to get up.
Raise — Transitive, means to lift something up.

Infinitive — INV: Lie
TRV: Lay
INV: Rise
TRV: Raise
Past Tense — Lie (Lay)
Raise (Raised)