1. Finite Verbs
* Definition: These are verbs that show tense (past, present, future), person (1st, 2nd, 3rd), and number (singular, plural). They are the main verbs in a sentence and are essential for making a complete thought.
* Examples:
* I walk** to school. (Present tense, 1st person singular)
* He played** soccer yesterday. (Past tense, 3rd person singular)
* We will travel** next week. (Future tense, 1st person plural)
2. Non-Finite Verbs
* Definition: These verbs don't show tense, person, or number. They function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs within a sentence.
* Types of Non-Finite Verbs:
* Infinitives: The base form of a verb, often preceded by "to" (e.g., to walk, to eat, to sleep).
* Example: I want to go to the park.
* Gerunds: Verbs ending in "-ing" that function as nouns.
* Example: Swimming is my favorite exercise.
* Participles: Verbs ending in "-ing" (present participle) or "-ed"/-en" (past participle) that function as adjectives or part of verb phrases.
* Example: The running water splashed on the ground. (present participle)
* Example: The broken vase was a mess. (past participle)
3. Auxiliary Verbs (Helping Verbs)
* Definition: These verbs help form verb tenses, moods, or voices. They are used in conjunction with main verbs.
* Common Auxiliary Verbs:
* be (am, is, are, was, were, been, being)
* have (has, had, having)
* do (does, did, doing)
* will
* shall
* can
* could
* may
* might
* must
* Examples:
* I am going to the store. (helping verb "am" + main verb "going")
* She has finished her homework. (helping verb "has" + main verb "finished")
4. Modal Verbs
* Definition: These verbs express possibility, ability, necessity, permission, or obligation. They are always followed by a main verb in its base form.
* Examples:
* I can swim.
* You must complete your assignment.
* They might come to the party.
Key Points:
* Understanding the different forms of verbs is crucial for constructing grammatically correct sentences.
* Non-finite verbs and auxiliary verbs can be tricky, so practice identifying their roles in sentences.
* Some verbs can function as both finite and non-finite depending on their context.