A list of verb words


Comprehensive list of verbs with examples

3.4

(1263)

Looking for a verbs list? Fret not. Here’s a quick guide on the list of verbs with illustrative examples. But before we get down to the list of verbs, let’s quickly brush through the definition of a verb. 

A verb in the simplest sense is a word that describes an action, an event or a state. It tells you what the subject of a sentence is doing. The verbs (like those in the verb list below) are usually the main words in a sentence and without them a sentence is incomplete. Having said that, how do you recognize a verb in a sentence?

Well, verbs (like those in the verbs list below) are typically used after a noun or a pronoun. The nouns or pronouns in such cases, are referred to as subjects. 

For example: 

  • Anthony went to the market. 

In this case the action of Anthony physically having went to the market is the verb. 

In this guide, verbs are categorized into a few different lists: 

  • action verbs list
  • linking verbs list
  • helping verbs list
  • irregular verbs list

Except for the linking verb list, the other categories break down into different types. The next list of verbs can be physical or mental. The list of helping verbs can be auxiliary or modal. The list of irregular verbs shows verbs in different tenses. 

Learning the words in each verb list can help you develop your English-speaking skills. To make comprehension easier, example sentences have been provided in the verb list sections.

List of Action Verbs

In an action verbs list, each verb can be used to state a subject’s action in a sentence. There are two types of action words you’ll find in this list of action verbs.

Type 1: Physical

The physical verb list features action words. In other words, the words within a physical action verb list usually describe an action that someone or something physically does. In a nutshell, a particular motion made using one’s body or a tool to complete an action is referred to as an action verb. For example, let’s start with a short list of action verbs: 

  • Walk
  • Open
  • Speak 

All of the words on this short action verb list describe physical actions. The verb list below is a much longer list of action verbs that are useful to know.

Physical Action Verb List:
Act Answer Approve Arrange
Break Build Buy Coach
Color Cough Create Complete
Cry Dance Describe Draw
Drink Eat Edit Enter
Exit Imitate Invent Jump
Laugh Lie Listen Paint
Plan Play Read Replace
Run Scream See Shop
Shout Sing Skip Sleep
Sneeze Solve Study Teach
Touch Turn Walk Win
Write Whistle Yank Zip

 

Hopefully you already recognized a few (or all) of the words on this action verbs list. They are all very useful! If you think you’ll need it, feel free to print this action verbs list for future reference.  

Before moving on from the physical action verb list and looking at the mental verbs list below, consider reading these resources explaining MLA format and APA format. They could help you understand how to format your next writing assignment. Or, if you’re ready, let’s move on to the next list of action verbs.

Type 2: Mental

The second type of action verbs list is for mental action words. Mental action words describe intellectual processes that don’t happen physically, but rather take place in your mind. Examples of mental action words (that are part of the action verb list below) include think, feel, and want.

List of Verbs Describing Mental Action:
Concern Decide Dislike
Doubt Feel Forget
Hate Hear Hope
Impress Know Learn
Like Look Love
Mind Notice Own
Perceive Realize Recognize
Remember See Smell
Surprise Please Prefer
Promise Think Understand

 

It’s important to understand that some mental action words on this action verbs list don’t refer to the literal use of the word. For instance, the mental list of verbs includes the words see, look, hear, and smell. These words could also be included on a list of action verbs describing physical motion. When you don’t use these words in the literal sense, they become mental action words. In other words, these words could be found on both a physical and mental action verbs list.  

Here are some examples showing the difference:

  • Action: I can see Paul jumping up and down.

In this example , you can literally see Paul jumping around.

  • Mental: Frank returned from Europe yesterday? I see.

However, in the above example you can’t literally see Frank returning from Europe. Instead, “I see” means to understand. Therefore, ‘see ’used in this context is a mental word.

  • Action: These roses smell wonderful.

This example refers to the physical action of smelling flowers and comments on their scent.

  • Mental: Something smells funny about this situation.

On the other hand, in this example, nothing literally smells funny. Instead, it means that there’s something strange and unusual about the situation.

To summarize, there are hundreds of words that could go on an action verbs list. The physical verbs list and the mental list of verbs only include a few basic words of each type. There are many more to learn and they’re all fun to use. In order to expand your vocabulary, it’s helpful to study another list of action verbs. For a PDF list of action verbs, visit this site. 

The next verbs list is a list of linking verbs. Even if you don’t know what they are yet, these words are very important! Pay close attention to the list of linking verbs below. You never know when a list of linking verbs might come in handy.

Linking Verbs List

There’s a list of verbs that do not describe any action. Instead, these words explain a state of being such as a condition or relationship. They are also commonly known as linking verbs, and they make up the linking verb list below. 

The words in the linking verbs list are words that connect the subject of a sentence to specific information about the subject. In other words, linking verbs connect the subject to a predicate noun or a predicate adjective. 

A list of linking verbs could also be called a ‘being verbs list.’ This is because the words within a linking verbs list show a state of being. You’ll notice that most verbs on the being verbs list are forms of ‘to be’. Other verbs like ‘become’ and ‘seem’ also belong on a being verbs list. 

These ‘being’ verbs (see the list of linking verbs/being verbs list below for examples) are used with subjects that are both in past and present tense. Being verbs like ‘was/were’ should be used instead of ’be’ in the past tense, and ‘is/am/are’ in the present tense. For instance: 

  • Amy was being cynical.
  • We are being noisy.
  • Andrew was afraid of Luna.
  • You appear to be scared.

The being/linking words in the sentences above are included in the being verbs list below. You can use words in the linking verbs list to connect the subject with other words in a sentence. There aren’t as many words on a linking verb list as there are on a verb list for mental and physical action words, but each word in the list of linking verbs is nonetheless important.

Linking Verbs List / Being Verbs List:
Am Appear Are
Be Become Been
Being Feel Grow
Is Look Remain
Seem Smell Sound
Stay Taste Turn
Was Were

 

As you can see on the linking verbs list above, all forms of to be are important linking words. It would be difficult to have a conversation about yourself without using any of the words on this linking verbs list. Want to remember all of these? Feel free to print and save this linking verb list for reference. You could also look for another linking verb list and examples to study.

Now that you’re well-versed with action words, and the linking verb list, let’s move on to helping words.

Helping Verbs List

Now that we’ve gone over the list of linking verbs let’s talk about helping verbs. A helping verb ‘helps’ or supports the main verb. There are two types of words within the helping verbs list: auxiliaries and modals. 

Both auxiliaries and modals add more meaning to the main action or the being word. They can also describe the period of a physical or mental action taking  place. They can also add emphasis to your sentences and indicate an event happening. 

Auxiliaries (like those in our helping verb list below) extend the main verb and help show time, tense or possibility.

Examples of auxiliary verbs:

  • Matthew is going out for lunch. 
  • I have finished my homework. 

Modals indicate possibility, ability or expectation. A list of helping verbs that are modal are further down this page, but let’s start with a few example sentences; they’ll help us understand how they’re used.

Examples of modals:

  • Wilson may want to talk to you again. 
  • Alexa must go to work today.

If you want to learn how to create complex sentences, then it’s important to study a helping verbs list. Here’s your first list of helping verbs.

List of Helping Verbs, Auxiliaries
Auxiliary Word And all its forms…
To Be Am, Are, Is, Was, Were, Be, Been
To Have Have, Has, Had
To Do Do, Does, Did

 

So, how do you know  that the words in this auxiliary helping verbs list are actually ‘helpful’ or act as standalone words? Simply look for other verbs (action or being words) in the sentence. If you notice any form of ‘to be, ‘to have’, or ‘to do’ before another action or being word, then you’re looking at a sentence with an auxiliary. 

Using the previous auxiliary helping verbs list, can you figure out which word is the auxiliary in the examples below?

  • Charlie’s mother is cooking breakfast for us tomorrow.
  • Tina hasn’t exercised today.

Both modals and auxiliaries can be found on a list of helping verbs. Modals are usually followed by the infinitive of another verb. Just like the list of linking verbs, the list of modals within the list of helping verbs is also small and therefore easy to remember. A verbs list with modal verbs is given below.

List of Helping Verbs, Modals
Can Could May
Might Must Ought to
Shall Should Will
Would

 

Here are some examples of how modals, from the above list of verbs, explain uncertainty, obligation, and possibility.  

  • I must go to school today.

There’s an obligation to go to school.

  • You could go to school today.

In this sentence, it’s possible that you will not go to school today.

  • Jennifer’s not sick and should go to school today.

And in this sentence, it’s possible that Jennifer doesn’t go to school.

  • If Tommy feels better tonight, he might go to school tomorrow.

Whereas in this sentence there’s a chance that Tommy may or may not go to school. 

Now that you are well versed with a linking verbs list, a list of verbs that are ‘helpful,’ and a verbs list for action words, let’s move on to the next section: a list of irregular verbs. 

Irregular Verbs List

The next verbs list you’ll look at is the list of action verbs that are irregular, thus they are part of the irregular verbs list. So what exactly are irregular verbs? Well, verbs that do not follow the normal rules for conjugation fall into the irregular verbs list.  

Basically, most ‘normal’ words in the past tense have an -ed at the end. Examples include jumped, skipped, and leaped

  • jump → jumped
  • skip → skipped
  • leap → leaped
  • walk → walked

This conjugation pattern applies to most words. However, irregular verbs — like those in the irregular verbs list below — don’t follow this normal pattern. For example:

  • Draw → drew, drawn

These verbs shift tenses according to its own set of rules, and thus belong on our list of irregular verbs. 

The words in the list of irregular verbs below are shown with their past simple and past participle versions. You could say, that it is also an irregular past tense verbs list. 

An irregular past tense verbs list generally includes words like brought, were, became, etc. The irregular past tense verbs list below presents English past tense verbs.

Irregular Past Tense Verbs List:
BASE FORM PAST SIMPLE PAST PARTICIPLE
Be Was or Were Been
Become Became Become
Bring Brought Brought
Build Built Built
Catch Caught Caught
Draw Drew Drawn
Fly Flew Flown
Get Got Got
Go Went Gone
Grow Grew Grown
Hold Held Held
Learn Learnt/Learned Learnt/Learned
Smell Smelt Smelt

 

Did you come across any new verbs in this irregular verbs list? There are many other words that could be added to this irregular past tense verbs list, but this list of verbs is a good start. Hopefully, this list of irregular verbs (or irregular past tense verbs list) will help you write your assignments with greater precision. Once you’re done studying the list of irregular verbs, visit this informative site for further learning.

Congratulations on reviewing many verb list types! Now that you have finished reading  a comprehensive linking verbs list and studied a helpful list of verbs along with an irregular verbs list, why not get some help on your next English assignment? The paper checker from Citation Machine Plus lets you make citations in APA format and more citation styles. Try it out today!

 


Published March 5, 2019. Updated April 16, 2020.

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List of Verbs

This list of verbs will help you understand verbs a little better.  Verbs are words that show actions or states of being. There are two types of what are called main verbs: action verbs and linking verbs, and there's one extra category that can help either of those main verbs. These helpers are called helping verbs

Below, you'll find lists of and details about action verbs, linking verbs, and helping verbs. Here we go! 

Action Verbs

These are one of the types of main verbs. (Every sentence needs to have a subject and at least one main verb.) As their name implies, action verbs show action.

I walked around the lake.

We learned grammar.

Now it's your turn! Try thinking of three action verbs right now. Did you do it?

You probably picked verbs that showed movement that could be easily seen or heard (ran, jumped, shouted, skipped, cooked, wrote, etc.) That's great, but just keep in mind that there are many actions that can't be easily perceived with our eyes and ears (thought, contemplated, learned, etc.

There are many, many action verbs out there, and we can further categorize them into three groups. Here are the three types of action verbs along with a list for each kind. Keep in mind that these lists aren't exhaustive. 

List of Transitive Active Verbs

Transitive active verbs are action verbs that transfer their action to something called a direct object. 

Joe kicked the ball. 

Kicked is the transitive active action verb. It's transferring its action to ball, which is the direct object. Notice that ball is receiving the action. It's the thing that's getting kicked.

Transitive Active List

A accept, adopt, anticipate

B borrow, blame, buy

C carry, change, celebrate

D declare, develop, drive

E earn, edit, extend

F fix, forgive, forget

G gather, give, grip

H help, hug, hum

I identify, ignore, influence

J jerk, jog, juggle

K keep, kiss

L leak, lead, lift

M magnify, maintain, measure

N name, notice, nurture

O obliterate, offend, open

P pay, play, practice

Q question, quarantine

R rake, read, raise

S sing, steal, store

T teach, test, try

U unravel, unpack, use

V visit, volunteer, vote

W weigh, wrangle, write

X x-ray, xerox

Y yank, yell, yield

Z zest, zip

List of Transitive Passive Verbs 

Transitive passive verbs are action verbs that transfer their action to the subject.  

My car was stolen.  

Stolen is the transitive passive verb (was is a helping verb). It is transferring its action to car, which is the subject. Notice that car is receiving the action. It's the thing that's getting stolen. 

Transitive passive verbs are always in verb phrases, and they are always made with the past participle form of the verb. 

Transitive Passive List
To create a transitive passive verb, add is, am, are, was, were, be, being, or been in front of the past participles listed below.

A accepted, adopted, anticipated

B borrowed, blamed, bought

C carried, changed, celebrated

D declared, developed, driven

earned, edited, extended

F fixed, forgave, forgiven

G gathered, given, gripped

H helped, hugged, hummed

I identified, ignored, influenced

J jerked, jogged, juggled 

K kept, kissed

L leaked, led, lifted

M magnified, maintained, measured

N named, noticed, nurtured

O obliterated, offended, opened

P paid, played, practiced

Q questioned, quarantined

R raked, read, raised

S sung, stolen, stored

T taught, tested, tried

U unraveled, unpacked, used

V visited, voted

W weighed, wrangled, written

X x-rayed, xeroxed

Y yanked, yelled, yielded

Z zested, zipped

Intransitive Complete

Intransitive complete verbs are action verbs that don't transfer their action to anyone or anything. They are complete all by themselves! 

The dog barked.

Notice that the dog didn't bark something. It just barked. It's not transferring its action to a receiver. 

Intransitive Complete List

A accelerated, acted, ate

B barked, biked, blinked

C changed, chewed, cooked

D dominated, drooled, drove

E endured, exercised

F fished, flashed, forgot

G grinned, grumbled, grunted

H helped, hid, hurried

I improved, invaded, investigated

J jaywalked, joked, jumped

K kayaked, kicked, kidded

L laughed, learned, looked

M migrated, moped

N navigated, nested

O observed, overpaid

P paid, painted, posed

Q quacked, quarreled, quipped

R ran, read, rose

S sang, shouted, swam

T testified, twisted, typed

U understood, unpacked, unwound

V volunteered, voted

W waddled, winked, worked

yawned, yelled, yodeled 

Z zipped

Linking Verbs

You just learned that action verbs are one of the types of main verbs. Now, we'll look at the other kind: linking verbs. Linking verbs don't show action. They link the subject of a sentence with either a noun that renames it (called a predicate noun) or an adjective that describes it (called a predicate adjective).

You might find it helpful to think of linking verbs as equals signs between subjects and predicate nouns or predicate adjectives.

I am a teacher. 

I = teacher

As you know, there are many, many action verbs. However, there are only a handful of verbs that can function as linking verbs. Here they are:

Linking Verbs List

be, am, is, are, was, were, been, being

appear, become, feel, grow, look, seem, remain, smell, sound, stay, taste, turn

Helping Verbs

You have just learned about the two types of main verbs: action verbs and linking verbs. It's time to learn about helping verbs! 

These do just what their name implies. They help the main verb in the sentence by telling us more about its tense and the subtleties of its meaning. Remember that the main verb will be either an action verb or a linking verb. 

The dog will bark. 

Bark is the main verb. It's an action verb. Will is the helping verb. 

The helping verb(s) and the main verb come together to form a verb phrase.

Danny will be an artist.

Be is the main verb. It's a linking verb. Will is the helping verb. Both words together (will be) form a verb phrase.

Here is a list of 24 common helping verbs. You can sing these to the tune of Witch Doctor ("Ooh ee ooh ah ah..."). I sing it for you here if you'd like to listen to me! :) 

Helping Verbs List

be, am, is, are, was,

were, been, being, have, has, had,

could, should, would, may, might,

must, shall, can, will, do, did,

does, having

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List of modal verbs in English

Modal verbs in English are verbs that do not have their own meaning, they can only be used in conjunction with another verb. English modal verbs express modality, that is, the attitude of the speaker to any action.

The modal verb Can

Can in the meaning of "to be able", "to be able" is used to express the possibility of performing an action. One of the most common and frequently used modal verbs. It refers to insufficient verbs that do not exist in all forms.

Two forms of the verb can:

  • can - present
  • could - past tense and subjunctive

When negating this verb, the negative particle not is standardly added, but, unlike other cases, it becomes an integral part of the word - cannot.

Can and not are written separately when not is part of another construct. One of the most frequently used such constructions is “not only…, but also” (not only…, but also). An abbreviated form is also possible - can't.

I cannot create a document. — I can't create a document.

I can not only create a document, but also edit it. - I can not only create a document, but also edit it.

Uses of the verb Can

  • Mental or physical activity.

Due to my spine problems, I can't stand so long. Due to my back problems, I can't stand for that long (that is, physically I can't).

He could run faster. - He could run faster than (physical activity - running).

I can memorize 20 words in 5 minutes. - I can remember 20 words in 5 minutes (mental activity is implied).

  • The general or theoretical probability of performing an action.

She can do anything. - She can do anything.

You can get knowledge from books. You can get knowledge from books.

  • Request expression. In this case, you can use both can and could, but the latter option will be more polite and formal.

Can you wait for me outside? - Can you wait for me outside?

Could you tell me how to get to the museum? — Could you tell me how to get to the museum?

  • Permission to do something, request for permission to perform certain actions, prohibition.

Can I take a photo? — Can I take a photo?

You can do whatever you want. - You can do what you want.

You cannot enter the room without my permission. You may not enter the room without my permission.

  • Expression of surprise, reproach or distrust.

Can it be true? - Is that really true?

You could at least give me a hint! "You could at least give me a hint!"

No, she can't treat me like this. No, she can't do this to me.

Modal verb Be able to

Expressions with the verb can in the future tense are translated using the probability verb to be able to (to be able / able to do). It is almost equivalent to the verb can, however, in the present and past tenses, it is more often used only to express that a person managed to do something, he succeeded in something.

The English modal verb to be able to changes in person, number and tense.

I couldn't speak Chinese but I was able to explain what I wanted. — I couldn't speak Chinese, but I was able to explain what I wanted.

Carl will be able to move to England. Carl will be able to move to England.

She is able to participate in that play. She can participate in this play.

Modal verb May

Modal verbs that express probability also include the verb may in the meaning of “allow”, “can”.

Two forms of the verb may:

  • may - present
  • might - past tense and subjunctive

In negation, both forms are abbreviated:

  • may not = mayn't
  • might not = mightn't

Uses of the verb May

  • Permission to do something, request for permission to do something.

May I stay here? - May I stay here?

You may stay. - You can stay.

  • Expression of uncertainty about the probability of taking an action. Might can be used as an amplifier:

I may apply to Harvard. “I might apply to Harvard.

It might be raining tonight. “Maybe it will rain tonight.

For more formality, might can be used in both cases.

Modal verb Be allowed to

The modal verb may is analogous to the modal verb be allowed to in the meaning of permission. Such a verb is used to show that permission was given without specifying who gave it. Since the verb to be changes in tenses, numbers and persons, the same changes apply to the modal verb be allowed to.

George was allowed to buy some sweets. George was allowed to buy some sweets.

I'm allowed to edit the texts on the website. — I am allowed to edit the texts on the website.

She is not allowed to enter. She is not allowed to enter.

He was not allowed to have a pet. He was not allowed to have a pet.

Modal verb Must

The English modal verb must is used in the sense of "must". It does not have a past or future tense. Can be used in the abbreviated form mustn't.

Uses of the verb Must

  • Expression of obligation, necessity.

We must finish the essay before the deadline. We have to finish the essay before the deadline.

  • Compulsory action.

You must do this, or you will have problems. You must do this or you will be in trouble.

  • Order or prohibition.

You must arrest him! You must arrest him!

You must not break the rules. You mustn't break the rules.

  • Expression of confidence.

Charlie must be happy. Charlie must be (probably) happy.

Modal verb Have to

Since must has no past or future tense, the modal verb have (has) to is used instead. It changes in numbers, persons and tenses.

We had to update the profiles. We needed to update profiles.

I'll have to meet him. - I'll have to meet him.

The modal verb have to (have got to) is used in the meaning of "have to", "should". In addition to the above case, it is also used on its own, without replacing the verb must. It is usually used to show that some action needs to be done "because it is necessary, and not because you want to. "

I have to get up early in the morning. I have to (I have to) get up early in the morning.

Differences between Must and Have to

  • The modal verb must in English is used when there is an awareness of obligation, the need to do something, and there is also a rule that must be followed.

You must help your parents. You must help your parents.

  • When using have to, we mean that we don't want to do something, but we have to because of the circumstances.

We had to give in. “We had to give in.

Differences between Have to and Have got to

  • Have got to implies a specific action.

I've got to go to the dentist on Monday. I have to go to the dentist on Monday.

  • Have to implies a repetitive action.

I have to consult my doctor every time before I go abroad. — I have to consult a doctor every time before going abroad.

Modal verb Should

The modal verb should is used in the meaning of “should”, “should”. When negated, it has the abbreviated form shouldn't.

Uses of the verb Should

  • Moral obligation.

I should do something good for him. I must do something nice for him.

I should be proud of my child. “I should be proud of my child.

You should avoid passive people. You need to avoid passive people.

She should learn foreign languages. She should learn foreign languages.

You should understand that there is nothing more important than your family. You must understand that there is nothing more important than your family.

  • Instructions.

You should mix the flour and the yeast. You must mix flour and yeast.

Modal verb Ought to

Like should, it is used in the meaning of “should”, “should”, but is used much less often. This modal verb has only one form. In denial, it can be shortened to oughtn't to.

Ought to is used to express advice or commitment.

We ought to complain about the quality. — We have to complain about the quality.

He ought to buy her flowers. He should buy her flowers.

You ought to give all your love to children. You must give all your love to children.

Modal verbs Shall and Will

Combine modal and future tenses. In negation, shall can be shortened to shan't, will to won't.

Shall is used when an offer to do something is required.

Shall I open the door for you? - Open the door for you?

The English modal verb will is used to insist on something. It can also be found in interrogative sentences that imply orders.

You will clean the room. You will have to clean the room.

Will you keep quiet? - Keep quiet!

Modal verb Be to

Used to express obligation. Used in past and present tenses.

Uses of the verb Be to

  • Expression of actions that are performed according to a specific schedule.

The plane is to take off in 15 minutes. The plane takes off in 15 minutes.

  • For actions that are predefined.

The little girl was to become the most successful writer in the USA. This little girl will become the most successful writer in the United States in the future.

  • To express prohibition or impossibility.

People are not to be in that area. “People shouldn’t be in this area.

The language is not to be learned in 6 months. This language cannot be learned in six months.

Modal verb Would

Used for polite requests and suggestions. It is necessary to distinguish between would in the sense of "would" and would as a modal verb. Has an abbreviated negative form wouldn't.

Would is used in phrases with suggestions, suggestions and requests.

Would you turn on the computer, please? — Could you turn on the computer, please?

Would you like a pie, or a cake? Would you like a pie or a cake?

It would be his brother over there. It must be his brother over there.

This modal verb can be used as an analogue of the modal verb used to, expressing actions that happened before, but are no longer happening now.

When I was little, I would watch cartoons every day. — When I was little, I watched cartoons every day.

List of semi-modal verbs in English

Semi-modal verbs include those verbs that can act both as the main verb and as a modal verb in the utterance, depending on the meaning and construction of the sentence.

Verb Used to

There are still disputes about its belonging to modal verbs.

Used only to express actions/states that happened in the past. When translated into Russian, sentences with the verb used to may have the adverb "earlier".

I used to like skiing when I was young. — When I was young, I liked skiing.

He didn't use to (used not to) drink alcohol that much. “He didn’t drink so much alcohol before.

Max used to speak English fluently. Max used to be fluent in English.

Negative formation options: “didn’t use to” or “used not to”.

Formation of the question: “Did he use to … ?”.

Verb Need

Indicates the need to perform an action. A shortened form of negation is needn't.

Uses of the verb Need

  • Conveys the meaning of "need" in affirmative sentences.

All we need is love. - All we need is Love.

You needn't do this until you are ready. You don't have to do this until you're ready.

  • Used in questions when the author wants to hear a denial in response.

Do I need to call her? I dislike that girl. Do I really need to call her? I don't like this girl so much.

Verb Dare

Used in the meaning of "risk", "dare to do something". As a semantic verb, it also retains these meanings. Does not require the use of auxiliary verbs.

How dare you tell me what to do?! How dare you tell me what to do?

They dare not ask about the salary. They don't dare to ask about the salary.

In its meaning, the modal verb dare does not differ from the semantic verb dare.

Verb Let

Used in the meaning of “let”, “allow”, “allow”. As a semantic verb, it also retains these meanings.

Let her think about it. Let her think about it.

Let Michael not come tomorrow. — Let Michael not come tomorrow.

The use of modal verbs

Some modal verbs may change with tense, but they do not change for persons and numbers. In a sentence, after a modal verb, an ordinary verb in the infinitive without the to particle is required.

Formula: I / You / He / She / It / We / You / They + Modal Verb + Main Verb

Example: I can dance. - I can dance.

The particle to can be used in modal verbs, but there are only three such verbs: have (got) to, ought to and be to.

Without a modal verb, the ending of the semantic verb can change depending on the person and number, acquiring the ending -s (-es). Modal verbs do not follow this rule, with the exception of have to. When conjugated, the verb have in the modal form changes in persons and numbers in the same way as in the present tense.

Formula: I / You / We / They + have to

Example: I have to wash my car. — I need to wash the car.

Formula: He / She / It + has to

Example: She has to read four books for this class. She needs to read four books for this lesson.

Modal verbs in English, by the rules, do not have a gerund form, so the ending -ing is not attached to them.

Auxiliary verbs in negative and interrogative sentences with modal verbs are not required. Have to would be an exception in this case.

20 non-existent verbs that we continue to use for some reason

We will not remind you of “lay down” (more precisely, “put”) and “put on / put on”. You know. But let's talk about the forms of verbs, which almost always raise doubts. Write down, memorize and send the link to relatives who can’t remember that “cries”, “burns” and “waves” is wrong. And another bonus: “eat” or still “eat”?!

Correct: Go

It is very important to send (s) on the road correctly. And it is not necessary to demand before that "to sit on the path" or to wish "God bless you!". It is also possible, of course. But it’s much better to just say correctly (tested by roads and travels). In general, if you are advised to "go", "go" or "go" - do not listen and ignore. The only correct variant of the imperative mood of the verb "to go" is "go". Yes, strange. But as it is.


Correct: Do you write correctly?

Who has never confused two similar forms of the verb "to write"? You may not confess so easily, but there are many such sealers. The verb "to write" in the imperative mood is written through "and": "Write letters!" If the second person is plural, then it will be: "You write illiterately." There is one explanation: we write “I” under the stress, “E” in the unstressed position. More similar examples: “Look / are looking for” (“Look for a woman!”, “Are you looking for something?”), “Say / say” (“Tell me, who wrote this?”, “And then you will say: “Wow! ").


Correct: Sit the child on your knees

All the parents must have shuddered at the phrase “sit the children down”. The phrase is really wrong and sounds frightening. Although the verb "to plant" still lives in some dictionaries marked "colloquial". In general, a literate person definitely shouldn’t say that. It will be correct to "plant" - whether it be trees in the forest, tomatoes in the country, violets at home, guests at the table or a child on his knees. Although 100 years ago the verbs "to plant" and "to plant" were considered equal synonyms.


Correct: The snow kept melting

Two paronymic verbs whose forms we can confuse: “melt” and “hide”. They belong to different conjugations, and their endings are also different. For example, in the present tense the snow is "melting", the snowdrifts are "melting", and in the past it has already "melted" or "melted". The second verb "to conceal" is about secrets. If we want to say that someone kept something secret, then it will be "hidden" or "hidden". But there is a suspicion that we rarely want to say this about snow (unless we are interested in the contents under the snowdrifts, which thaw in the spring).


Correct: In the evening we will light it up

In the forms of the verb "ignite" (and "burn"), the root alternation of "zhzh" and "burn" occurs. It is difficult to say “I will light”, but “they will light”, therefore in the first person and third person (plural) everything is obvious: “I will light”, and “They will light”. Because of this, I desperately want to add that you will also “light it up”, she will “light it up” and we will all “light it up” together. But there are no such options in Russian. Sorry.


Correct: Grandmother bakes the most delicious pancakes

We envy your grandmother's pancakes! In the verb "bake" (and "bake") the same story as with the verb "burn" (and "ignite"). I “bake”, and the children “bake”, but my grandmother exclusively “bakes” pies. The verb "bake" does not have the form "bake". So we "bake", and Grandma also "bakes".


Correct: Wave goodbye

Is the child waving or waving? Are the children waving or waving? The correct forms of this verb in the third person in the present tense are "waving" and "waving". While in the past tense it is correct to say "waving" and "waving". This is probably how the “waves” symbiosis appeared. Recently, the form "waving" is considered acceptable in colloquial speech. But we still cast our vote for the literary norm "waving, waving, waving, waving" and so on. So when you ask your child to wave goodbye to someone, do it right: “Wave your hand!”


Correct: Why is he crying?

Difficulty in the correct form of the verb "cry" arises for approximately the same reason as with the verb "wave". The correct conjugation of the verb "cry" is I cry, you cry, she cries, we cry, and so on. And in the past tense, the letter "k" appears: "cried", "cried". But if different options are allowed in the verb "to wave", then in the verb "to cry" there is only one: "Why is he crying?"


Correct: I can still convince you

Perhaps you guessed that not only the verb "to win" is deprived of the future tense in the first person singular. By the way, Rosenthal calls such deprived verbs “insufficient”. In order, for example, to say about yourself in the future tense, you need to use something like an auxiliary verb (almost like in English!). In our example, there is no “I will convince”, “I will run away”, “I will convince”. You can say "I can convince" (or variations on the theme).


Correct: "Spartak" beat "Zenith"

"And short", or "Y". They are not there when they are really needed, and they appear when they are not welcome. If you pronounce the word very quickly, you really hear the letter “y”. But this should not be reflected in the letter (especially in the articles of sports journalists). The Russian language does not belong to the languages ​​​​with the rule "as it is heard, so it is written", you don't know. In the verb "to win" in all forms, "and" is written. With a small exception: at the end of the imperative mood, “y” still appears in some places - “win” and “win”.


Correct: Teachers urged everyone to come to the polls

Universal confusion: the verb "to go", in which the letter "Y" suddenly appears in its derivatives, or more precisely, in the form of the future tense of the verb "come". Some diligently write “come” because they remember “go” well, but these are still different forms of verbs, and they need to be distinguished. And others seem to have heard something about the letter “Y” in this word and begin to insert it everywhere: “you will come”, “will come”, “we will come”. In fact, "Y" exists only in the infinitive, that is, in the initial form of the word - "come." Therefore, the correct option is "come to the polls."


Correct: They are fighting snow in Moscow

Admit it, you also thought for a second about the correct form of the verb “fight” in the third person plural — it’s hard to hear the ending. Options with "I" and "Yu" are found almost equally often, but there is only one competent option. "Fight" refers to the first conjugation (ending in "-ot"). We strain our memory and remember what conjugation is (yes, it exists) and what letters should be written at the end. In short, for the verbs of the first conjugation we write the vowels "e, y (u)". I fight, you fight, he fights, we fight, you fight. And in the third person plural it will be by analogy with "I'm fighting" - "they are fighting" with the letter "Yu".


Correct: Let's go!

A little pain. The verb "to go" in the imperative mood has three (!) correct literate options at once: "let's go", "let's go" or "let's go". And there is also a colloquial synonymous word for "let's go", which lives only in oral speech (well, in chats). But the imperative form of the verb "send" is a gross mistake, which is better not to write or even pronounce. Never.


Correct: May the force be with you!

The Jedi (and Master Yoda, and all the heroes of Star Wars at once) looked at you very disapprovingly now. Because it is impossible to make a mistake in such an expression. And this is not about the rule "pre-" and "pri-" (unexpectedly, right?). Here again about verbs-paronyms. "To arrive" means "to approach, to come, to appear." And "to abide" - "to be, to be". Yes, it is quite possible to wish someone to gain strength so that they “come” to him. But then the phrase would rather sound like "may the strength come to you." In our version in the film ("May the Force be with you"), they wish you good luck and keep your strength in yourself, and not that it suddenly falls on you. Do not argue, just listen to the fans of the star saga.


Correct: Children climb a tightrope

The verb "to climb" has a twin brother (almost) - "to climb". In many dictionaries, these verbs are equivalent. True, “climbing” has a colloquial connotation, and it is advisable to use the literary version “climbing” in writing. Just in case, let's recall the conjugation of the verb "climb": I climb, you climb, he/she climbs, we climb, you climb, and they climb. Well, or "climb" (in the third person plural of the verb "climb"). The main thing is that they don’t “climb” - this is something non-existent, it’s not worth talking like that. No way.


Correct: Gargle

Another fantasy verb in the list of irregular verbs. Moreover, the imperative form of this verb has so many fans that it even got into the dictionaries marked "colloquial". But if you strive to make your speech as literate as possible, your (and our) option is “rinse”.


Correct: Put on shoes

Yes, like that. With "put on" and "put on" everyone seems to have more or less figured out (we put on ourselves, we dress someone). With shoes it's a little different. On the Internet, they even ask the question: “If you “put on” and not “dress”, then why “shoe” and not “shoe”? Firstly, the verb "to kick" still exists. Or rather, it existed. In a very distant past. But now it is considered archaic. Secondly, “put on shoes” (for yourself) is a grammatical error. And now the Russian language has its own shoe norm: put on shoes (for yourself), put shoes on - someone.


Correct: The numbers differ

“R about to be known” means to differ in something, not to coincide, not to agree. "R a to be" - to differ, to differ. No, you don't think: the values ​​are really similar. Now the option through "a" is considered stylistically neutral, and through "o" - outdated and colloquial. That is, our option is “to differ”. Opinions differ, numbers also differ. By the way, the stress falls on the first syllable: “to differ”.


Correct: Razor to the ground

In fact, both verbs (paronyms) are correct, the point is in the context and in the meaning of what was said. If you mean "make something even" (level) - you need the verb "level". If we are talking about "make something equal" (compare / equalize) - writes "equalize". In general, it's simple. Exactly - equalize. Compare - compare. In our example, in the stable expression "raze to the ground", there should be no doubt, we write through "o".


Correct: I went to eat

The dispute of the century. "Eat" or "eat"? Perhaps at that moment the eyes of some readers became bloodshot at the word "eat", but in vain.


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