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Kaplan University Writing Center Verbs The verb is an essential part of English grammar. In English’s fixed, subject-verb word order, the verb describes the subject’s actions, thoughts, feelings, or states of being. Verbs can be single words such as “rides” or phrases up to four words with “helping” verbs such as “must,” “have,” and “been.” a. The woman rides her bike. The verb rides describes the woman’s action. b. Professor Smith must have been pleased with our papers. The verb phrase must have been pleased describes Smith’s feelings. Correct verb use is fundamental to writing effectively, and as you advance in your academic career and in your profession, your writing, right down to your verbs, will need to become more advanced too. This tutorial covers both basic and advanced verb types and tenses with helpful explanations and practical examples meant to help all English users, native and nonnative alike, understand and develop more mastery over the verb. Table of Contents Verb Forms Regular Irregular Verb Types Transitive, Intransitive, and Linking Be Verbs Stative Verbs Helping Verbs Verbals: Infinitives, Gerunds, and Participles Phrasal Verbs Active and Passive Voice Verb Tenses List of Irregular Verbs Verb Forms Regular Verbs Verbs change form to agree with a singular or plural subject and to express the different times (tenses) that actions occur. A present tense verb, for example, has a different form than a past tense verb. Regular verbs follow the same pattern when changing form. Each form is made from the base or root form, and most regular verbs have five forms: Back to Table of Contents Kaplan University Writing Center, Writing Reference Library • Verbs • June 2014, Version 3 • Page 1 © 2014, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com. Photo:© 2014 Clipart.com Examples: Kaplan University Writing Center 1. Root: the root form has no endings and is the base form for all regular verbs. The root is the present tense verb for first person (I/we), second person (you), and third person (they) subject nouns. It is also paired with “will” to form the future tense, helping verbs such as “do” to form questions, and modals such as “would” to make requests. a. b. c. d. To try > try To breathe > breathe To hear > hear To be > be When “to” comes before a root form, it’s an “infinitive”; it doesn’t show tense or agree in number with a subject, so instead of a verb, it can be a noun: To wait seemed like a waste of time; an adjective: The best way to travel is by car; or an adverb: I want to read a good book! 2. Third person singular: when the subject for a regular verb is he, she, it, one, or another singular noun, add –s or –es to the root form of the verb: a. b. c. d. Try > tries (when verbs end in a consonant + y, change -y to -ies) Breathe > breathes Hear > hears Be > is * Be is an irregular verb. It does not follow a set pattern when it changes tenses. See a complete list of irregular verbs here. 3. Present participle: Add –ing to the root form to create the present participle. When this form follows a conjugated “be” verb, it forms a progressive tense: he is playing a game. However, some stative (state) verbs do not have progressive tenses, and other stative verbs change meaning in the progressive form. a. b. c. d. Try > trying Breathe > breathing (When verbs end in a silent -e, drop the -e and add –ing.) Hear > hearing > hear (Hear is a stative verb that doesn’t have a progressive form) Be > being (Be is a stative verb that means “exist” in the root form and changes meaning to “behaving” in the progressive form.) When a present participle is not paired with a conjugated “be” verb, it can function as a noun (in which case it is called a “gerund”): Playing soccer is important to me. A present participle can function as an adjective: The fort overlooked a sparkling sea. 4. Past participle and 5. Past tense: Add –ed or –d to the root form to create the past participle or simple past tense. When this form follows a “have” verb, it forms a perfect tense. a. b. c. d. Try > tried Breathe > breathed Hear > heard Be > been/was, were * Be is an irregular verb. Irregular verbs do not follow a set pattern when changing tenses. Back to Table of Contents Kaplan University Writing Center, Writing Reference Library • Verbs • June 2014, Version 3 • Page 2 © 2014, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com. Kaplan University Writing Center When a past participle is not paired with a “have” verb, it can be used as an adjective: The frightened child held his mother’s hand. When the past participle follows a conjugated “be” verb, it forms the passive voice: The students were excited to tour the capital. Irregular Verbs Irregular verbs can also change form to agree with a singular or plural subject and to show the different times (tenses) that actions occur. However irregular verbs do not have a fixed pattern. Some irregular verbs do not change at all. The verb put, for example, is the same in every form. Meanwhile, other irregular verbs change with every form. Write, for example, changes to wrote and written. For a list of common irregular verbs, click here. Verb Types Transitive, Intransitive, and Linking Verbs A sentence in its simplest form is one independent clause that has a subject and verb. Depending on whether the verb is transitive, intransitive, or linking, other words such as objects or complements may be required to complete the sentence. Transitive verbs are action verbs that must be followed by an object—a receiver for the verb’s action. Examples: a. The tourists sent (transitive verb) postcards (object—what the tourists sent). b. Professor Slim answered (transitive verb) the question (object—what the professor answered). c. Students have found (transitive verb) the class (object—what students have found) challenging. d. You can leave (transitive verb) the keys (object—what you can leave) in the car. Linking verbs do not express an action. Linking verbs link the subject to a complement or an adverbial that describes or provides more information about the subject. Examples: a. The paint (subject) seems (linking verb) dry (complement). b. His office (subject) is (linking verb) in the city (adverbial). c. The banana (subject) turned (linking verb) brown (compliment). © 2014 Clipart.com Intransitive verbs are action verbs that do not require an object. The subject and verb alone complete the expression. However, the sentence may include an adverbial such as “already” or a prepositional phrase such as “before dawn.” Examples: a. The sun is already setting (“set” is an intransitive verb, used here in the progressive tense). b. They arrived (intransitive verb) before dawn. The most common linking verbs are be, become, and seem. Other linking verbs are appear, feel, get, grown, look, prove, remain, smell, stay, sound, taste, and turn. If you can replace the verb with is or are, and the sentence still makes sense, it’s a linking verb. Examples: He looks great. He is great. “looks” is a linking verb. The sky turned dark The sky was dark “turned” is a linking verb. The researcher found the answer The researcher was the answer “found” is an action verb, NOT a linking verb. Back to Table of Contents Kaplan University Writing Center, Writing Reference Library • Verbs • June 2014, Version 3 • Page 3 © 2014, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com. Kaplan University Writing Center condition. Examples: a. I think therefore I am. Am indicates one’s existence. b. Margaret is a pediatrician. Is indicates Margaret’s identity. c. The poem was thought provoking. Was indicates the poem’s quality. d. The bananas are not ripe. Are (not) indicates the bananas’ condition. e. The cat is being finicky. This example shows why be is a “stative” verb; it doesn’t express action except when it’s in the progressive tense (be + [root + ing]). Is being expresses the action of the cat acting or behaving finicky. Be not only functions as a main (linking) verb and part of the progressive tense as the above examples show; be also functions as a helping verb to modify or express the tense of a main verb, and it also forms part of the passive voice: be + [verb root + ed]. Be is also one of the most irregular verbs. It does not follow the regular pattern when changing form to show tense or agree in number with a subject. Table 1 reviews the tenses and forms of be. Table 1: The Tenses and Forms of Be TENSE 1st Person 2nd Person Singular and Plural Forms Singular and Plural Forms 3rd Person Singular and Plural Forms Present I am We are You are You (all) are He/ she/ it is They are Past I was We were You were You (all) were He/ she/ it was They were Future I will be We will be You will be You (all) will be He/ she/ it will be They will be Present Progressive I am being We are being You are being You (all) are being He/ she/ it is being They are being Past Progressive I was being We were being You were being You (all) were being He/ she/ it was being They were being Future Progressive I will be being We will be being You will be being You (all) will be being He/ she/ it will be being They will be being Present Perfect I have been We have been You have been You (all) have been He/ she/ it has been They have been Present Perfect Progressive I have been being We have been being You have been being You (all) have been being He/ she/ it has been being They have been being Past Perfect Progressive I had been being We had been being You had been being You (all) had been being He/ she/ it had been being They had been being Future Perfect Progressive You will have been being He/ she/ it will have been being You (all) will have been being They will have been being I will have been being We will have been being Back to Table of Contents Kaplan University Writing Center, Writing Reference Library • Verbs • June 2014, Version 3 • Page 4 © 2014, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com. © 2014 Clipart.com Be Verbs: Be is one of the most common verbs in English. Be indicates existence, identity, quality, or Kaplan University Writing Center Stative Verbs show abstractions, possession, and emotion. They are not visible actions, and they do not have a duration or endpoint. There are two types: those without a progressive (-ing) form and those that change meaning (and become dynamic actions) in the progressive (-ing) form. Table 2: Stative Verbs Stative Verbs with No Progressive Form Love I am loving my son. I love my son. Hear She is hearing music. She hears music. See He sees the mountains. Believe I believe in magic. Own Mary owns a house. Need They are needing help They need help. Want We want to see a movie. Hate I hate to see you go. Forget The man forgot his keys. Remember You remember well. Stative Verbs that Change Meaning (and become dynamic actions) in the Progressive Form Act = behave Acting = performing They act immaturely. They are acting in the movie. Imagine = think Imagining = visualizing I imagine I’ll get the job. I’m imagining working there. Appear = look Appearing = performing She appears confident. She is appearing in the play. Look = appear Looking = gazing The child looks confused. The child is looking at me. Be = state; trait Being = temporary behavior He is Irish; he is kind. He is being selfish and noisy. Measure = length; size Measuring = gauging; assessing The wall measures 8 ½ feet high. He is measuring the wall. Become = change Becoming = a process The dog becomes aggressive. The tadpole is becoming a frog. Realize = know Realizing = process of awareness I realize this is serious. I’m realizing that I’ve changed. Come = nationality Coming = traveling They come from Spain. They are coming from Spain. Cost = price Costing = a process over time The car costs a fortune! The car is costing a fortune! Do = job Doing = action I do hair for a living. I’m doing the mambo. Enjoy = like; permanent state Enjoying = experiencing; temporary state He enjoys learning. He is enjoying college. Feel = believe Feeling = in a mood; touching I feel that I’m ready to go. I’m feeling good; I’m feeling the waves between my toes. Forget = neglect; overlook Forgetting = process I forget his name. I’m forgetting the lyrics. Get = sate; gain Getting = process He always gets a burger at lunch. He’s getting fat. Guess = believe Guessing = solving I guess I should call. I’m guessing she isn’t home. Regret = feeling Regretting = process He regrets giving up. He is regretting that he hasn’t retried. See = understand Seeing = visiting; dating I see what you mean. She is seeing a guy from Washington. Smell = detect; sense Smelling = sensing with the nose Something smells fishy. The dog is smelling the ground. Suppose = believe Supposing = assuming I suppose I’ll go next. I’m supposing he got the mail. Take = measure Taking = process of doing/carrying She takes a size ten. She is taking the bus/an umbrella. Taste = detect; sense Tasting = sensing with the tongue The coffee tastes strong! He is tasting local wines tonight. Think = believe Thinking = contemplating I think you have a good idea. I’m thinking about you. Understand = know Understanding = process She understands her options. He is understanding more as time passes. Weigh = amount Weighing = act of measuring weight He weighs 38 pounds. He is weighing the package. Have = possess Having = occurring We have a dog. We are having a fence built. Back to Table of Contents Jump to Be Verbs Kaplan University Writing Center, Writing Reference Library • Verbs • June 2014, Version 3 • Page 5 © 2014, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com. Kaplan University Writing Center Helping Verbs: Every clause has one main verb that can have up to three “helping” or “modal” verbs modifying it to show the possibility or probability of the action. Helping verbs help form the Perfect and Progressive tenses and the Passive voice. They also help form questions and negative expressions. There are 23 helping verbs. Some such as “be verbs” are “primary” as they can also stand alone as main verbs in addition to functioning as helping verbs. Primary Helping Verbs change tense: am, are, was, were (used in the Progressive tenses and questions) be, being, been (used in the Progressive tenses and questions) have has, had (used in the Perfect tenses and questions) do, does, did (used in negative expressions and questions) Modal Auxiliary (Helping) Verbs always have the same form: Photo: (c) 2014 Clipart.com will, shall, should, would can, could may, might, must Modals are used in the present, future, and past tenses to express necessity, advisability, permission, possibility, and probability. Refer to Tables 3 and 4 for examples of the structures and uses. Table 2: The Modal Verb “Might” in the Present, Future, and Past Tense Modals in Present and Future Tense Modals in Past Tense Modal + the root form of the verb a) She might come to the party. (future) b) She might be on her way. (present) Modal + have + been + part particle form of the verb a) She might have been at the library. (past) Figure 4: Use of Modals to Express Necessity, Advisability, Permission, Possibility, and Probability Modal Uses Present/Future should a) advisability a) You should go to the doctor. b) expectation b) She should be there by now. Past a) She should have gone to the doctor. b) She should have gotten there by now. may a) polite request b) formal permission might a) Less than 50% certainty a) He might be in the library. a) He might have been in the library. have to a) necessity a) I have to cook tonight. a) I had to cook tonight. b) lack of necessity b) I do not have to cook tomorrow. b) I did not have to cook yesterday. a) necessity a) I have got to study for the test. a) No uses have got to a) May I borrow your book? b) You may leave now. Kaplan University Writing Center, Writing Reference Library • Verbs • June 2014, Version 3 • Page 6 © 2014, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com. a) No uses. Kaplan University Writing Center Modal Uses ought to a) advisability a) I ought to call home soon. a) She ought to have called home. b) expectation b) She ought to take the test. b) She ought to have taken the test. a) strong necessity a) I must finish my work. a) No uses b) prohibition (negative) b) You must not cross the street without looking both ways. b) No uses must Present/Future c) 95% certainty c) She must be tired after working 12 hours. can Past c) She must have been tired after working 12 hours. a) ability/possibility a) I can play the piano. a) I could play the piano as a child. b) informal permission b) You can go now. b) No uses c) Can you open the window? c) No uses c) informal polite request d) I cannot speak French. d) I could not speak French before now. a) polite request a) Would you please come in? a) No uses b) preference b) I would like a cup of water. c) repeated actions in the past c) no uses b) I would have liked to be at your wedding. d) impossibility (negative) would d) no uses d) unfulfilled wishes or desires had better a) threat of bad results c) I would play with my brother every day. d) I would have liked to go to Spain, but I had to go to school. a) You had better be on time, or you will be grounded. a) No uses Verbals: Participles, Gerunds, and Infinitives Participles, gerunds, and infinitives are verbals: words derived from verbs. Like verbs, they express actions or states; however, as “verbals” they don’t act like verbs. Participles are used as adjectives, and gerunds and infinitives are used as subjects and objects. Participles have past and present forms and can be used as adjectives to describe nouns. To form the present participle, add –ing to a root form of a verb: enchant + ing = enchanting. Present participles describe the performer of the action being described by the participle. Examples: The fort overlooked a sparkling sea. Sparkling describes the sea. The views were enchanting. Enchanting describes the views. Photo: © 2014 Clipart.com Kaplan University Writing Center, Writing Reference Library • Verbs • June 2014, Version 3 • Page 7 © 2014, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com. Back to Table of Contents Kaplan University Writing Center To form the past participle, add –d or –ed to a root: excite + d = excited. To form the past participle of an irregular verb, refer to the List of Irregular Verbs. Photo: © 2014 Clipart.com Past participles describe the receiver of the action being described by the participle, so they usually describe the subject’s feelings. Examples: The students were excited to tour the capital. Excited describes how the students felt about the tour. The frightened child held his mother’s hand. Frightened describes how the boy felt. Writing tip: The difference between the past and present participle becomes clear when you compare the meanings of each when applied to a root verb. Consider the verb “bore.” With a past participle, one can say, “I am bored” to say nothing is interesting. With the present participle, the statement becomes “I am boring,” which means I’m the one who isn’t interesting. Photo: © 2014 Clipart.com Gerunds function as nouns. To form a gerund, add –ing to the root verb form: play + ing = playing. A gerund looks just like a present participle! The difference is where it is in the sentence and how it’s used. Alone, present participles are used as adjectives whereas gerunds can be subjects, subject complements, direct and indirect objects, and objects of prepositions. Examples: Playing soccer is important to me. Playing is the subject of the sentence. Melody’s first love is playing soccer. Playing is a subject complement. It follows the linking verb “is.” Melody’s son also loves playing soccer. Playing is the direct object. It tells what the son loves. They give playing soccer all their free time. Playing is the indirect object. It tells for or to whom or what the free time is given. They went home after playing soccer. Playing is the object of the preposition “after.” Infinitives also function as nouns, and because nouns can be adjectives and adverbs, infinitives can be Photo: ©2014 Clipart.com adjectives and adverbs too. To form an infinitive, add to before a root verb form: to + play = to play. Examples: To play violin at the festival is an honor. To play is the sentence subject. I hope to play violin at the festival. To play is the object of the sentence. Whenever I visit my parents, I bring my violin to play. To play is an adjective here; it modifies violin. Kurt braved the rain to play his violin at the outdoor festival. To play is an adverb here; it explains why he endured the rain. Back to Table of Contents Kaplan University Writing Center, Writing Reference Library • Verbs • June 2014, Version 3 • Page 8 © 2014, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com. Kaplan University Writing Center Writing tip: “To” is a preposition, so it can be paired with words other than verbs. In the sentence, “I am taking my violin to the park,” the prepositional phrase “to the park” expresses a direction or place. Gerunds and Infinitives as Subjects in a Sentence Every sentence has a subject: the person or topic the sentence is about. Subjects can be nouns, noun phrases, gerunds, or infinitives. Refer to Table 5 for examples. Table 5: Types of sentence subjects and an example of each type in a sentence. Type of Subject Examples Noun Mary introduced her boyfriend. Noun Phrase The giant steel workboat left port at noon. Infinitive To wait seemed like a waste of time. Gerund Winning felt great! Gerunds and Infinitives as Objects in a Sentence Most sentences, in order to convey a complete idea, have objects. An object is a person or thing affected by the action described in the verb. Table 6: Types of sentence objects and an example of each type in a sentence. Type of Subject Examples Noun I like music. Noun Phrase The student received a community service award. Infinitive I intended to call first, but then I decided to surprise you instead. Gerund The young child enjoyed watching the big kids play basketball. Common Verbs Followed Only by Gerunds or Only by Infinitives Learning to use gerunds and infinitives as objects involves deciding which one to use: a gerund or an infinitive. In English, some verbs can only be followed by infinitives; some can only be followed by gerunds, and some can be followed by BOTH. Table 7: Common verbs that can only be followed by gerunds and an example of each in a sentence. Verb or Verb Phrase Examples of a Gerund Following a Verb Consider Please consider accepting the invitation Discuss They discussed going to New York. Enjoy He enjoys racing sailboats. Finish Bob has finished working in the garden. Keep I keep rereading the same paragraph! Kaplan University Writing Center, Writing Reference Library • Verbs • June 2014, Version 3 • Page 9 © 2014, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com. Kaplan University Writing Center Mind I do not mind watching the baby. Put off We put off going on vacation. Postpone She postponed seeing us for now. Quit Maria quit smoking cigarettes. Think about Please think about finishing the paint job soon. Walk around He walked around wondering about the results. Table 8: Common verbs that can only be followed by infinitives and an example of each in a sentence. Verb or Verb Phrase Examples of a Gerund Following a Verb Agree They agreed to lower the price. Decide Tim decided to go out to dinner. Expect I expect to finish very soon. Forget Do not forget to call us back Hope Michael hopes to be there early. Intend Management intends to save jobs. Mean I meant to arrive earlier. Need He needs to take medication. Offer They offered to drive me to the airport. Plan We plan to vacation in Puerto Rico. Pretend The boy’s mother pretended not to see his mistake. Promise Amanda promised to come today. Refuse She refused to take a break. Seem Lidia seems to like the new schedule. Try She tried to see the doctor today. Would like I would like to go to the theater. Want I want to learn a new language. Would love They would love to meet us for lunch. Common Verbs Followed by Gerunds or Infinitives When either a gerund or an infinitive can follow a verb, usually there is no change in meaning. The chart illustrates just some of these verbs. Not all verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive without changing the meaning. Back to Table of Contents Kaplan University Writing Center, Writing Reference Library • Verbs • June 2014, Version 3 • Page 10 © 2014, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com. Kaplan University Writing Center Take the verb “stop,” for example: “Sue stopped smoking cigarettes” means something different than “Sue stopped to smoke cigarettes.” In this example, using a gerund created the opposite meaning as the same sentence with an infinitive. Table 9: Common verbs that can be followed by gerunds or infinitives and sample sentences of each. Verb Gerund Following the Verb Infinitive Following the Verb Begin I began reading the book yesterday. I began to read the book yesterday. Can’t stand We can’t stand waiting in long lines. We can’t stand to wait in long lines. Continue We continued watching the movie. We continued to watch the movie. Hate They hated seeing their loved one suffer. They hated to see their loved one suffer. Like I like going shopping. I like to go shopping. Love I loved playing in the snow when I was a child. I loved to play in the snow when I was a child. Start She started going to school. She started to go to school. Phrasal Verbs English contains many main verbs that are two or three words in length. These verbs consist of a base verb, like “put,” “take,” or “get,” and a preposition (out, over, in, across, off, on, etc.…). Photo: © 2014 Clipart.com Examples: Put on Take up Get in The meaning of the phrasal verb can be a combination of its parts (to run away means “to leave quickly”) or it can intensify the main verb to indicate something done thoroughly or completely (to close down means “to close permanently”). Phrasal verbs are either separable, meaning words can come between them, or inseparable, meaning other words cannot. For example, “to figure out” (meaning “to understand”) is a separable phrasal verb because we can say, “Stephanie will figure it out.” The pronoun “it” comes between “figure” and “out.” On the other hand, “to come down with” (meaning “to catch an illness”), cannot be separated: Correct: Maggie came down with the flu. Incorrect: Maggie came the flu down with. Incorrect: Maggie came down the flu with. Photo: © 2014 Clipart.com Back to Table of Contents Kaplan University Writing Center, Writing Reference Library • Verbs • June 2014, Version 3 • Page 11 © 2014, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com. Kaplan University Writing Center Tables 10 and 11 list common separable and inseparable phrasal verbs. Table 10: Common Separable Phrasal Verbs Phrasal Verb Meaning Examples Bring on cause to happen The earthquake brought on the tsunami. The earthquake brought the tsunami on. Bring over Bring up bring (often to someone’s house) Can you bring over that new DVD so we can watch it? raise (children) She brought up nine children all by herself. Can you bring that that new DVD over so we can watch it?) She brought nine children up all by herself. Call off cancel Can you believe they called off the wedding? Can you believe they called the wedding off? Close down close permanently They closed down the restaurant because it was losing money. They closed the restaurant down because it was losing money. Close up close temporarily They close up the restaurant for a week every summer. They close the restaurant up for a week every summer. Table 11: Common Inseparable Phrasal Verbs Phrasal Verb Meaning Examples Come across find or express Sheila came across a rare painting at a garage sale. Sheila came across as rude. Come along with accompany (a person) or make progress (on a task) I came along with him to the mall. He asked me how I was coming along with my job search. Come down with catch an illness Martha came down with the flu. Get around avoid Stan was able to get around the height requirement. Get away with do without getting caught Many people think O.J. Simpson got away with murder. Back to Table of Contents Kaplan University Writing Center, Writing Reference Library • Verbs • June 2014, Version 3 • Page 12 © 2014, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com. Kaplan University Writing Center Active and Passive Voice In addition to forms and tenses, verbs have two voices: active and passive. Each voice indicates the performer or actor of the verb. In the active voice, the subject is the actor of the verb, and the object is the receiver of the verb’s action. In the passive voice, the subject receives the action of the verb, and the actor is optionally included as the object of the preposition “by.” To form the passive voice, add “be” in the appropriate tense to a past participle. Refer to Table 1: The Tenses and Forms of Be to review the tenses of “be” and Table 12 to see how to structure the passive voice using be + a past participle. © 2014 Clipart.com Table 12: Structuring Active and Passive Verbs Structures Examples in Past Tense Active Subject (actor) + verb + object (receiver) A graduate student discovered a cure. Passive Subject (receiver) + be + past participle + by + object (actor). A cure was discovered by a graduate student. Comparing the Active and Passive Voice A characteristic of clear and concise writing is an active voice where the sentence subject is the actor of the verb. When the receiver of the action is more important than the actor, as is common in legal and scientific writing, use the passive form. Also use the passive form if you do not know who is doing the action or if that information is irrelevant. See Table 13 for examples. Table 13: Comparing Active and Passive Voice. The Bold font indicates the best choice given the topic. Active Voice Passive Voice The research suggests that… It is suggested by the research that… I found high levels of fluoride in the water. High levels of fluoride were found in the water. The people held the election yesterday. The election was held yesterday. The injured man’s friend had taken him to the hospital. The injured man had been taken to the hospital by his friend. The storm buried our car under snow. The car was buried under the snow. The oil spill caused the oyster population to decline. The oyster population decline was caused by the oil spill. Back to Table of Contents Kaplan University Writing Center, Writing Reference Library • Verbs • June 2014, Version 3 • Page 13 © 2014, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com. Jump to Helping Verbs Kaplan University Writing Center Verb Tense Verb tense shows the relationship between the action or state described by the verb and the time it occurs or exists. There are two basic tenses: past and present. The future is expressed with modals (“will,” “shall,” and “be going to”). The helping verbs be and have can also be added to each tense to express whether the action or state is progressive (continuous) or perfect (for a specific period of time). Table 7 shows the tenses for regular verb “smile.” Click the tense to jump to the discussion of that tense. Table 7 Tenses and Forms of the Regular Verb "Smile." Each tense is linked to a discussion of it with examples. Present Tense I smile. Past Tense I smiled. Future Tense I will smile. Present Progressive You are smiling. Past Progressive You were smiling. Future Progressive You will be smiling. Present Perfect She has smiled. Past Perfect She had smiled. Future Perfect She will have smiled. Present Perfect Progressive They have been smiling. Past Perfect Progressive They had been smiling. Future Perfect Progressive They will have been smiling. The Present Tense: To indicate an event or situation happening or existing now Simple Present: I smile; you smile; he, she, it smiles; they smile; we smile Uses Examples 1. Repeated actions in the present I play tennis. Use the present tense with dynamic (action) verbs to She never forgets my birthday. express recurring actions: habits, hobbies, and daily events. We drink coffee in the morning. 2. Facts and opinions in the present They belong to a gym. Use the present tense with stative verbs to express facts and Does he live in the suburbs? opinions that are true now, were true before, and will continue Charlotte is in North Carolina. to be true in the future. He takes excellent pictures. 3: Actions at a set time in the near future The bus leaves at ten in the morning. Use the present tense with times such as 5 pm or “as soon as” to What time does class begin? express arrivals and departures or when events begin or end. I’ll call as soon as I hear from him. 4. Instantaneous actions in the present We beg you to reconsider. Use the present tense to express actions without a specific I appreciate your support. duration that are happening in the moment of communication. Serena aces the serve! Back to Verb Tense Back to Table of Contents Jump to Be Verbs Jump to Helping Verbs Kaplan University Writing Center, Writing Reference Library • Verbs • June 2014, Version 3 • Page 14 © 2014, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com. Kaplan University Writing Center Present Progressive: I am smiling; you are smiling; he, she, it is smiling; they are smiling; we are smiling Uses Examples 1. Unfinished actions happening now You are learning grammar. Use the present progressive to express an action happening or They are not watching television. not happening now. Now can mean this second, today, this I am dieting. month, this year, or this century. What is he doing? He is sleeping. 2. Planned or anticipated actions in the near future I am meeting my friends after school. Use the present progressive to express a definite plan or action He is taking a class in business ethics. that is going to happen or is in progress but not happening now. Are you working on any projects? 3. Annoying actions or habits having limited durations That cat is always coming around. Use the present progressive with dynamic verbs to express an He is constantly texting her. action that “always” happens but for a limited period of time. They are taking forever to get here! Present Perfect: I have smiled; you have smiled; he, she, it has smiled; they have smiled; we have smiled Uses Examples 1. Actions that began and finished sometime before now She has already applied for college. Use the present perfect to express past actions, experiences, or Have you ever lived overseas? events that have a result or consequence in the present. We have gone camping once (and we Common time markers with the present perfect are ever, never, might go again someday). once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, and yet, He has missed the plane (so he won’t month, so far, up to now, etc. arrive tonight after all). 2. States that began in the past and continue into the present I have been so worried about her! Use the present perfect with stative verbs to express a state of He has always loved writing. being or unfinished situation that began in the past, continues She has become a fine educator. now, and may continue in the future. Present Perfect Progressive: I have been smiling; you have been smiling; he, she, it has been smiling; they have been smiling; we have been smiling Uses Examples 1. Temporary unfinished situations leading up to the present I have been writing for two hours. Use the present perfect progressive to express an action that She has been napping since noon. began in the past and continues into the present for a specified He’s been staying here for a week. length of time. For one night, for three years, and since last week are durations used with the present perfect progressive. 2. Repeated situations or temporary habits leading to the He has been working long hours. present and continuing into the future How have they been doing? Use the present perfect progressive to express habits or I have been reading a great book. repeated events that began in the past, continue in the present, and may continue into the future. Back to Verb Tense Kaplan University Writing Center, Writing Reference Library • Verbs • June 2014, Version 3 • Page 15 © 2014, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com. Back to Table of Contents Kaplan University Writing Center The Past Tense: To indicate an event or situation happened or existed in the past Simple Past: I smiled; you smiled; he, she, it smiled; they smiled; we smiled Uses Examples 1. Single action at a specific time in the past She washed her car. Use the simple past tense with dynamic (action) verbs The French invaded Mexico in 1862. to express something happened at a specific time or for I finished school, walked to the library, a period of time in the past. and checked out a book. (Note: Checked out is a phrasal verb.) 2. Repeated or habitual actions completed in the past I took piano lessons when I was a child. Use the past tense with dynamic verbs to express events that He always danced at parties. occurred repeatedly in the past. Common modifiers to They brought us mementos from their express a past habit are always, often, usually, never, when I travels. was a child, or when I was younger. 3. A single emotion or situation that existed in the past I had a headache while I was working. Use the past tense with stative verbs to express a state She loved riding the glass elevator. of being or having that existed for a single period of We owned three horses in those days. time in the past. Past Progressive: I was smiling; you were smiling; he, she, it was smiling; they were smiling; we were smiling Uses Examples 1. Events in the past interrupted by another event He was watching TV until the power went Use the past progressive with dynamic (action) verbs to out. express an event that was not completed or was I was mowing the lawn when the bee stung interrupted by another action (expressed by the simple me. past tense: “went,” “stung,” “called”). The movie was just beginning when he called. 2. Events in the past interrupted by a specific time At 9 pm last night, I was finishing my Use the past progressive with dynamic verbs to express that a assignment. specific time interrupted a longer event happening in the She was cooking breakfast at 6 am. past. Last week at this time, they were just arriving. 3. Multiple events in the past occurring at the same time The cat was hiding while I was vacuuming. Use the past progressive with dynamic verbs to express She was relaxing, drinking tea, and reading actions with limited durations in the past were a book. happening simultaneously. Mom was rinsing the dishes, and I was loading them in the dishwasher. 4. Repeated or habitual, temporary actions in the past That cat was always coming around. Use the past progressive with dynamic verbs to express He was constantly texting her. actions with limited durations that “always” happened. I was writing a book. Back to Verb Tense Kaplan University Writing Center, Writing Reference Library • Verbs • June 2014, Version 3 • Page 16 © 2014, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com. Back to Table of Contents Kaplan University Writing Center Past Perfect: I had smiled; you had smiled; he, she, it had smiled; they had smiled; we had smiled Uses Examples 1. Single action completed before another past action The fireworks had ended by the time we Use the past perfect to express that an action occurred found a parking spot. before another action or time in the past. I had already eaten, so I wasn’t hungry. 2. Continuous action completed before another past action They had lived in Michigan before they Use the past perfect to show that an action happened over an moved to Alabama. unspecific duration of time in the past before another action The boat had rotted long before they or time in the past. pulled it out of the water. 3. Single or continuous actions in the past occurring before She said she had known him since college. the action of reported speech and in if…then clauses I thought he had gone to work already. Use the past perfect to express an action that occurred They questioned how we had gotten lost before the action of reported speech: said, told, asked, following their directions. thought, wondered, or questioned. Also use the past perfect If I had known you were coming, then I to express hypothetical “if…then” situations of one action would have baked a cake. occurring before another action in the past. Past Perfect Progressive: I had been smiling; you had been smiling; he, she, it had been smiling; they had been smiling; we had been smiling 1. Unfinished, temporary action in the past that leads We had been driving for two hours when up to another action or time in the past the rain finally stopped. Use the past perfect progressive with dynamic verbs to He had been working for 10 hours before express a temporary action that was unfinished when she realized the time. another action began in the past. We had been living here for only a month when the roof started leaking. 2. Continuous, temporary action in the past that The sink overflowed because I had not been caused another past action paying attention. Use the past perfect progressive to express the cause of Terry was tired because she had been something that happened in the past. painting the house all day. The Future Tense: To indicate an event or situation will happen or exist in the future Simple Future: I will smile; you will smile; he, she, it will smile; they will smile; we will smile. I am going to smile; you are going to smile; he, she, it is going to smile; they are going to smile; we are going to smile. Uses Examples 1. Using the will + root form: Facts, promises, predictions, He will turn six on his next birthday. assumptions, and spontaneous actions in the future I will always love you. Use “will” when stating simple facts about the future, when The rain will stop by this afternoon. making predictions or assumptions, or when deciding to do They will bring chips and dip to the party. an action at the time of speaking. I hear the doorbell. I’ll answer it. Back to Verb Tense Back to Table of Contents Kaplan University Writing Center · Verbs, Version 3 by C. Rios · May 2014 · Page 17 of 26 © 2014 Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com Kaplan University Writing Center 2. Using the be going to + root form: Intentional and planned actions in the future Use “be going to” to express future actions that were intended or planned prior to the time of speaking and that depend on present knowledge or a present situation. * Use the simple present tense to express an action at a specific time in the future. How are you going to solve the problem? I am going to solve it democratically. Mary filled her gas tank because she is going to drive across the country. Look at this traffic! It’s going to take us forever to get home. The new term begins on July 30. Dinner is at 6 o’clock. Future Progressive: I will be smiling; you will be smiling; he, she, it will be smiling; they will be smiling; we will be smiling. I am going to be smiling; you are going to be smiling; he, she, it is going to be smiling; they are going to be smiling; we are going to be smiling. Uses Examples With the will or be going to forms: Ongoing actions at a She will be flying to Japan when she gets future time. her promotion next month. We are going to raise organic vegetables Use the future progressive to express ongoing future actions during the summer. with limited durations. Future Perfect: I will have smiled; you will have smiled; he, she, it will have smiled; they will have smiled; we will have smiled. I am going to have smiled; you are going to have smiled; he, she, it is going to have smiled; they are going to have smiled; we are going to have smiled. Uses Examples With the will or be going to forms: Action completed before Amanda will have finished her workout by another future action or time the time the gym closes. Use the future perfect to express an action that will begin and You can’t arrive until 9:00? The show will end in the future before another action or time in the future. have begun by then. I am going to have lived here seven years on my son’s fourth birthday. Future Perfect Progressive: I will have been smiling; you will have been smiling; he, she, it will have been smiling; they will have been smiling; we will have been smiling. I am going to have been smiling; you are going to have been smiling; he, she, it is going to have been smiling; they are going to have been smiling; we are going to have been smiling. Uses Examples With the will or be going to forms: Continuous actions that Next summer, she will have been walking will end in the future. for ten years at the Relay for Life marathon. Use the future perfect progressive to express continuous When I go to the doctor tomorrow, I am actions with limited durations that will end in the future. going to have been fasting for 24 hours. Back to Verb Tense Kaplan University Writing Center · Verbs, Version 3 by C. Rios · May 2014 · Page 18 of 26 © 2014 Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com Back to Table of Contents Kaplan University Writing Center Jump to Participles List of Irregular Verbs For an explanation of irregular verbs, click here: Irregular Verbs Base Form Past Simple (V2) Past Participle (V3) arise arose arisen awake awoke awoken be was/were been bear bore born(e) beat beat beaten become became become begin began begun bend bent bent bereave bereft, bereaved bereft, bereaved beseech besought, beseeched besought, beseeched beset beset beset bet bet bet bid bad(e), bid bade, bid, bidden bind bound bound bite bit bitten bleed bled bled blow blew blown break broke broken breed bred bred bring brought brought Kaplan University Writing Center · Verbs, Version 3 by C. Rios · May 2014 · Page 19 of 26 © 2014 Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com Kaplan University Writing Center broadcast broadcast broadcast build built built burn burnt, burned burnt, burned burst burst burst buy bought bought cast cast cast catch caught caught choose chose chosen cling clung clung come came come cost cost cost creep crept crept cut cut cut deal dealt dealt deepfreeze deepfrozen, deepfreezed deepfrozen, deepfreezed dig dug dug dive dove dived do did done draw drew drawn dream dreamt, dreamed dreamt, dreamed drink drank drunk drive drove driven eat ate eaten fall fell fallen Kaplan University Writing Center · Verbs, Version 3 by C. Rios · May 2014 · Page 20 of 26 © 2014 Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com Kaplan University Writing Center feed fed fed feel felt felt fight fought fought find found found flee felt felt fling flung flung fly flew flown forbid forbade, forbad forbidden forecast forecast forecast forget forgot forgotten forgive forgave forgiven forgo forwent forgone forsake forsook forsaken freeze froze frozen get got got, gotten give gave given go went gone grind ground ground grow grew grown hamstring hamstrung hamstrung hang hung (hanged: put to death by hanging) have had had hear heard heard heave heaved, hove heaved, hove hung (hanged: put to death by hanging) Kaplan University Writing Center · Verbs, Version 3 by C. Rios · May 2014 · Page 21 of 26 © 2014 Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com Kaplan University Writing Center hide hid hidden hit hit hit hold held held hurt hurt hurt keep kept kept kneel knelt knelt knit knitted, knit knitted, knit know knew known lead led led lean leant, leaned leant, leaned leap leapt, leaped leapt, leaped learn learnt, learned learnt, learned leave left left lend lent lent let let let lie (in bed) lay lain light lit, lighted lit, lighted lose lost lost make made made mean meant meant meet met met miscast miscast miscast mislead misled misled misspell misspelt, misspelled misspelt, misspelled mistake mistook mistaken Kaplan University Writing Center · Verbs, Version 3 by C. Rios · May 2014 · Page 22 of 26 © 2014 Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com Kaplan University Writing Center mow mowed mown, mowed offset offset offset overtake overtook overtaken put put put quit quit, quitted quit, quitted read read read rend rent rent rid rid, ridded rid, ridded ride rode ridden ring rang rung rise rose risen run ran run saw sawed sawn/sawed say said said see saw seen seek sought sought sell sold sold send sent sent set set set sew sewed sewn, sewed shake shook shaken shear sheared shorn, sheared shed shed shed shine shone, shined shone, shined shoot shot shot Kaplan University Writing Center · Verbs, Version 3 by C. Rios · May 2014 · Page 23 of 26 © 2014 Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com Kaplan University Writing Center show showed shown shrink shrank shrunk shut shut shut sing sang sung sink sank sunk sit sat sat sleep slept slept slide slid slid sling slung slung slit slit slit smell smelt, smelled smelt, smelled sow sowed sown, sowed speak spoke spoken speed sped, speeded sped, speeded spell spelt, spelled spelt, spelled spend spent spent spill spilt, spilled spilt, spilled spin spun, span spun spit spat, spit spat, spit split split split spoil spoilt, spoiled spoilt, spoiled spread spread spread spring sprang sprung stand stood stood steal stole stolen Kaplan University Writing Center · Verbs, Version 3 by C. Rios · May 2014 · Page 24 of 26 © 2014 Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com Kaplan University Writing Center stick stuck stuck sting stung stung stink stank stunk stride strode stridden, strid, strode strike struck struck swear swore sworn sweep swept swept swell swelled swollen, swelled swim swam swum swing swung swung take took taken teach taught taught tear tore torn telecast telecast telecast tell told told think thought thought throw threw thrown thrust thrust thrust tread trod trodden underbid underbid underbid undergo underwent undergone understand understood understood undertake undertook undertaken underwrite underwrote underwritten uphold upheld upheld Kaplan University Writing Center · Verbs, Version 3 by C. Rios · May 2014 · Page 25 of 26 © 2014 Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com Kaplan University Writing Center upset upset upset wake woke, waked woken, waked wear wore worn weave wove woven wed wedded, wed wedded, wed weep wept wept wet wetted, wet wetted, wet win won won wind wound wound withdraw withdrew withdrawn withhold withheld withheld withstand withstood withstood wring wrung wrung write wrote written Back to Table of Contents Kaplan University Writing Center · Verbs, Version 3 by C. Rios · May 2014 · Page 26 of 26 © 2014 Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2014 Clipart.com