Types of Verbs with Examples
Verbs can be classified in different ways according to their meaning, function, and use in a sentence. For a grammar website, the following classification is useful.
1. Main Verbs / Lexical Verbs
Main verbs express the main action, state, or condition.
- She writes stories.
- They play cricket.
- He knows the answer.
2. Helping Verbs / Auxiliary Verbs
Helping verbs are used with main verbs to form tenses, questions, negatives, and passive voice.
The main auxiliary verbs are be, have, and do.
- She is reading a book.
- They have finished the work.
- Do you like tea?
- He does not play football.
3. Modal Verbs
Modal verbs express ability, possibility, permission, necessity, advice, or obligation.
Common modals: can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must
- She can swim. — ability
- It may rain. — possibility
- You should study. — advice
- We must obey the rules. — necessity
4. Transitive Verbs
A transitive verb takes a direct object.
- She bought a book.
- He opened the door.
- They played cricket.
Here, book, door, and cricket are objects.
5. Intransitive Verbs
An intransitive verb does not take a direct object.
- The baby cried.
- Birds fly.
- He arrived late.
- The sun rose.
6. Linking Verbs
Linking verbs connect the subject with a subject complement. They do not express a direct action.
Common linking verbs: be, seem, become, appear, feel, look, sound, smell, taste, remain
- She is happy.
- He became a doctor.
- The soup tastes delicious.
- She looks tired.
7. Regular Verbs
Regular verbs form their past tense and past participle by generally adding -ed.
- work → worked → worked
- play → played → played
- clean → cleaned → cleaned
Example: She worked hard yesterday.
8. Irregular Verbs
Irregular verbs do not form their past tense and past participle by simply adding -ed.
- go → went → gone
- eat → ate → eaten
- write → wrote → written
- see → saw → seen
Example: He went to school yesterday.
9. Finite Verbs
A finite verb changes according to tense and/or subject and can function as the main verb of a clause.
- He plays cricket.
- They play cricket.
- She played yesterday.
10. Non-Finite Verbs
Non-finite verbs do not change according to the subject or tense.
The three main types are:
a. Infinitive
- I want to learn English.
- She likes to read.
b. Gerund
- Swimming is good exercise.
- I enjoy reading.
c. Participle
- The crying baby needs milk.
- The broken window was repaired.
11. Action Verbs
Action verbs show an action or activity, either physical or mental.
- He runs every morning.
- She opened the door.
- I remember his name.
12. Stative Verbs
Stative verbs describe a state, feeling, possession, opinion, or mental condition rather than an action.
- I know the answer.
- She likes coffee.
- He owns a car.
- They believe him.
13. Phrasal Verbs
A phrasal verb consists of a verb + adverb/preposition (or both) and has a particular meaning.
- Give up — stop
- Look after — take care of
- Turn on — activate
Example: Please turn off the light.
14. Causative Verbs
Causative verbs show that one person causes another person to do something or causes something to happen.
Common causative verbs: make, let, have, get, help
- She made me laugh.
- My father let me go.
- I got my shoes polished.
- She had her car repaired.
15. Reciprocal Verbs
These verbs describe an action or relationship involving two or more people acting toward each other.
- They helped each other.
- The two friends hugged each other.
- The teams fought each other.