Every language has words that express actions or a state of being. These actions are necessary for a sentence to make a complete sense and they are called verbs.

Verbs are integral part of a sentence in English, in fact they can stand alone to make a complete sense. E.g Stop!

Now, a verb is not only actions (write, sleep) but also expresses event(happen) or a state(exist). A state of 'being' with the use of 'be' verbs (is, was, am, are, been, being) is also used.

Basically, verbs talk about 'doing' and 'making something happen'. If you understand this concept, then you'd have no problem with identifying verbs such as kick, explain, can, could, would, should, may, might, etc.

Some verbs express direct actions (write, jump, deliver, succumb), some don't (is, can, might).

Verb also include tenses, another topic we will discuss soon.

So, try identifying the verb(s) in every sentence you see because they are always there. They tell you what the subject of the sentence does with the use of direct actions, the indirect as discussed above or both.

Note that verbs can be one or more in a sentence.
1. He writes well.
2. She should have recorded the conversation.

If you understand this foundation, then you are ready for subsequent information.

Culled from naijaenglishforum .com