Verbs Part 2

Dynamic and Stative Verbs  

This category of verbs deals with the verb words themselves; and whether they indicate an action or a state of the subject. This category is not concerned with the object in particular.

Dynamic Verbs 

These verbs denote an actual action or expression or process done by the subject. They mean an action which can be seen or physically felt or the result of which is seen or physically felt by the object or an indirect object.

She buys new clothes every week.

Here the verb is buys which is an action done by the subject ‘she’, hence it is a dynamic verb.

He is swimming at the beach. 

Here again we have the definite action swimming done by the subject ‘he’, making ‘swimming’ a dynamic verb in this sentence.

Stative Verbs

These verbs refer to the state of the subject or the situation of the subject. Stative Verbs tell us about the state of mind of the subject, or the relation between the subject and the object. 

She prefers strawberry jam.

Here the Stative Verb is ‘prefers’ which shows the thinking of the subject ‘She’towards the object, which is ‘jam’. 

The cupboard requires a new coat of paint.

Here the subject is ‘cupboard’ and the stative verb is ‘requires’ which is telling about the relation between the subject ‘cupboard’ and the object ‘paint’. 

Linking Verbs

These verbs are unlike other verbs as they do not tell anything about a subject themselves, instead Linking Verbs connect the subject to a noun or adjective that helps in describing or providing additional information about the subject.  Those nouns or adjectives are called the subject complements.

Lisa is fussy about food.

Here we see the subject is Lisa and the linking verb is ‘is’ which is connecting Lisato the subject complement ‘fussy about food’ which is giving additional information about Lisa’s preferences. 

They are stubborn children. 

Here the linking verb is ‘are’ which is combining the subject They to the subject complement of ‘stubborn’ which is an adjective. 

The best to recognize linking words in a sentence is to see whether the verb can be replaced by ‘is, am or are’. If the sentence still sounds logical you know you have a linking verb.

The students felt relieved.  - The students are relieved.

Hence ‘felt’ was a linking verb and not an action verb.  As ‘felt’ here is simply connecting the subject to the adjective.

Every student felt the relief. - Every student is/am/are the relief.

Hence in this sentence ‘felt’ is action verb as it is the action of ‘feeling an emotion.’ 

Using Verbs in Sentences -

To use verbs correctly in sentences you need to learn more about the construction and use of the various verbs. And how they change form according to tenses and use in a sentence.  For correct application verbs in written text you will need to know about -

Regular and Irregular Verbs - These are the two different ways in which verbs change to form different tenses. Whether to simply add ‘-ed’ at the end of a verb or does it take a different form altogether.

Finite and Non-Finite Verbs - These are verbs which can be either the main verb of a sentence or just one that  is used as an adjective or noun as well. 

Modal Verbs - These verbs tell us whether something is probable or about the skills of a noun etc. There are 10 modal verbs in total and each have an important part in sentence formation. 

List of Verbs, Verb Examples

Accept	Catch	Expand	Lie	Select
Achieve	Challenge	Explain	Like	Sell
Add	Change	Fear	Listen	Send
Admire	Cheat	Feel	Lose	Sing
Admit	Chew	Fight	Love	Snore
Adopt	Choose	Find	Make	Stand
Advise	Clap	Fly	Marry	Stare
Agree	Clean	Forget	Measure	Start
Allow	Collect	Forgive	Meet	Stink
Announce	Compare	Fry	Move	Study
Appreciate	Complain	Gather	Murder	Sweep
Approve	Confess	Get	Obey	Swim
Argue	Confuse	Give	Offend	Take
Arrive	Construct	Glow	Offer	Talk
Ask	Control	Greet	Open	Teach
Assist	Copy	Grow	Paint	Tear
Attack	Count	Guess	Pay	Tell
Bake	Create	Harass	Pick	Thank
Bathe	Cry	Hate	Play	Travel
Be	Damage	Hear	Pray	Type
Beat	Dance	Help	Print	Understand
Become	Deliver	Hit	Pull	Use
Beg	Destroy	Hope	Punch	Visit
Behave	Disagree	Identify	Punish	Wait
Bet	Drag	Interrupt	Purchase	Walk
Boast	Drive	Introduce	Push	Want
Boil	Drop	Irritate	Quit	Warn
Borrow	Earn	Jump	Race	Wed
Breathe	Eat	Keep	Read	Weep
Bring	Employ	Kick	Relax	Wink
Build	Encourage	Kiss	Remember	Worry
Burn	Enjoy	Laugh	Reply	Write
Bury	Establish	Learn	Retire	Yell
Buy	Estimate	Leave	Rub
Call	Exercise	Lend	See