Verbs

In this section we look at the grammar of verbs—their structure and form—and how we use them in spoken and written English.

What is a Verb?
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Verb Classification
1. helping verbs 2. main verbs
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Verb Forms
Some languages have 30+ forms of a verb! English has 8 at most :)
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Tense
Speak naturally with tense.

Be Verb Rock Star Song audio
The verb be is a very special verb in English. Listen to the song.

going to
I am going to do it

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about to
I am about to do it

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for and since for Time
for two days, since 1st April

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Subjunctive Mood
She insists that he come.

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Passive Voice
Active voice and passive voice
Cats eat mice. Mice are eaten by cats.
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be used to/used to do
I am not used to it. I used to do it.

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Future Time
I will do it. I am going to do it. I am doing it. I do it.

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Conditionals
if I win, if I won, if I had won

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Modal Verbs
can, shall, must...

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Have fun with these verb tense games!

Phrasal Verbs
put out, look after, get on with
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Questions
Do you like tea? Why do you like tea? Do you like tea or coffee?

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Tag Questions
You like me, don't you?

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Infinitive or -ing?
I like to do, I like doing

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Continuous Tenses and Meaning
Am I being silly?

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Subject-Verb Agreement
In general a subject and a verb must agree in number.
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-ing Form
fishing is fun, I dislike working, after arriving
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Catenative Verbs
Chains of two or more verbs: Let go. I want to play. He hates drinking.
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Complex Catenative Construction
When a catenative verb has an object, the object usually comes between the catenative verb and second verb.
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