What is a verb

What is a verb?
A verb is an action word or a doing word because it expresses the action of the noun, pronoun or other words. Examples are: go, get, do, sit, take, come, write, tell, find etc It shows what physical or mental action people perform or what happens to them.
The verb is very important because without it in a sentence. It is not complete.
Examples:
• The sun rises from the east.
• Peugeot cars are popular in Nigeria.
• It rains more in south.
• The sea blows cool breeze.
Verb Be
The be words am, is, are, was and were are used with active verbs that end in ing. It helps to show whether the action is happening or was happening earlier.
Example:
We are (feel)ing fine today.
I am (do)ing my assignment.
The boy is (try)ing to assist me.
Mary was actually cry(ing) like a baby.
Present Tense Verbs
A present Tense Verbs shows present action. Most Present Tense Verbs do not end in s when used with plural noun or plural pronoun such as he, she and it. Most Present Tense Verbs end in S when used with singular nouns or pronouns except I and you.
Example:
The sky looks bright this week.
Me. Adebayo works with UAC Plc.
They produce gala and other snacks.
Nigeria celebrates her independence every 1 st of October.
We mark the day without fanfare.
A Present Tense Verbs does not end in S when used with plural noun or pronoun such as they and we.
Example:
• The man works hard everyday.
(Men) work hard everyday.
• She travels to Lagos by bus.
They travel to Lagos by bus.
• The girl likes flowers.
We like flowers.
Past Tense Verbs
A past tense verb shows an action that happened in the past. Most regular verbs add d or ed to become past. Other regular verbs follow these rules:
If a verb ends with a consonant preceded by a vowel, double the consonant and add ed
(e.g bag – bagged)
If a verb ends with a consonant y preceded by another consonant, change the y to I and add ed.
Example
Help: Helped
Wish: Wished
Bag: Bagged
Sip: Sipped
Irregular Past Tense Verbs
A past tense verbs shows an action that happened in the past. Irregular verbs change to past tense by changing some vowel letters in the word or the word
Example
See – Saw
Teach – Taught
Example
The ship sank in the Atlantic Ocean.
Ayo rose to the level of Senior Prefect.
The boy wept for losing the election.
The engine spoilt on the way.
Present Perfect Tense
A present perfect tense shows that an action started sometimes in the past and has just been completed. The present perfect tense uses the verb to have, has and have plus a past participle verb.
Example
He has seen the man before.
Mariam has gone to the beach.
The children have torn the new dress.
The ship has sunk in the sea.
Kanu and Okocha have played for years.
I have gone to England.
Past Perfect Tense
A past perfect tense shows the actions follow each other in a natural or correct manner. A past perfect tense uses the verb to have; has with a simple past tense verb.
Example
I had stopped my work before he closed the library.
She has finished her paper at that time.
The boy had gone before the rain started.
Present Continuous Tense
A present continuous tense expresses action taking place at the time of speaking. A present continuous tense uses be verbs, am is and are plus an active verb that ends with ing.
Example
The president is traveling to Calabar
I am going to meet him at the airport
The governors are convening a seminar there
John is assisting on health matters.
The flight is departing at 10 pm.
Past Continuous Tense
A past continuous tense expresses an action that has taken place sometime in the past. A past continuous tense uses be verbs was, were plus an active verb that ends with ing.
Example
Fred was working at the brewery.
The workers were recieving good salary.
I was studying at the college then.
Daddy was working at the post office.
Shade was writing her letters.
Future Tenses
A future tense expresses an action that will take place in the future. The auxiliary verb will or shall with the main verb forms a future tense. While shall is expressed in simple future tense, will expresses strong willingness, intention or determination to do something.
Example
It shall rain in June.
I will be there tomorrow.
She will bake the cake for Demola’s wedding.
Concord
Rules of Concord
It is important to note that:
1. Singular nouns and pronouns are usually followed by singular verbs.
2. Plural nouns and pronouns are usually followed by a plural verbs.
Examples
Singular Verbs: is/am, was, has
Plural Verbs: are, were, have
But care should be taken not to confuse the above with their present and past tense.
Examples:
Present Tense: is/am, are, has/have
Past Tense: was, were, had
3. Words such as: one of, each, each of, none, every, everyone, any, anybody, nobody, neither of, not one of, etc indicate that singular subjects and must be followed by singular verbs.
Examples
One of the ladies is talking.
Each of the girls has a box.
Each man was searched.
Everybody knows his house.
4. Two singular subjects separated by Either or, neither nor, takes a singular verbs.
Examples
Either Kayode or Biodun was in the class.
Either he or she is responsible for it.
Neither Ayomide nor Dorothy was in school
Note:
Subjects separated by Either (plural) or, neither (plural) nor, all …but, both…and, take a plural verb.
Examples
Either the parents or the teachers are to be blame for it.
Neither the boys nor the girls were afraid of the policeman
All but Uyi are in the room
Both Ivie and Uyi were happy to see me.
5. Singular subjects with attached phrases introduced by with, like, or as well as is usually followed by a singular verb.
Examples
The girl with her friends was at the party.
Bode like Olabode is clever.
My father as well as his boy has arrived.
Note:
When two singular subjects are connected by and, the verb following is in plural form.
Examples
He and She were great friends.
My father and his boy have arrived.
6. A subject that is a unit but has a plural form usually take a singular verb.
Examples:
The teacher and his wife are kind people.
Five hours is a long time to sit in class.
The times table for the examination is out.
7. When expressing condition contrary to facts, use “were” not “was”
Example
If I were you, I would leave early.