Verbs in English: Verb) - Auxiliary Verbs Can Add Detail To The Action or Help The Principal Verb (They Are Also

1st Year Grammar Mrs.A.
Abdessemed 2020/2021
Verbs in English
Verbs are the most complicated part of speech. Verbs are words that indicate action,
existence, possession or mood.
In English, we use the preposition “to” to form the infinitive. For example: “to talk”, “to eat”,
“to change”, etc.
There are many types of verbs. The verb can indicate the primary action of the phrase (principal
verb). Auxiliary verbs can add detail to the action or help the principal verb (they are also
sometimes referred to as “helping verbs”). Modal verbs add modality (possibility, ability,
permission, prohibition, obligation, etc). Transitive verbs connect the subject with the object
of the sentence. Some verbs only need a subject (intransitive verbs). There are also verbs that
consist of more than one word (prepositional verbs and phrasal verbs). Verbs can be active
or passive. For now, at this level, we will discuss each point in detail :
1-What is a verb?
A verb in syntax is a part of speech which conveys : 1-action (bring, read, walk, run, learn)
2- or state of being (exist, stand)
The word "verb" originally comes from the Latin word verbum, which means "word".
A verb can be a word, or a group of words. For example, in the sentence "I will win this
time!", the verb is made of 2 words.
The verb is marked by tense, person, and number.

A finite verb is just that: finite. It’s finite in time, as in present, past, future, and other time
dimensions.
Inflections and subject - verb agreement :

Verbs are inflected, modified in form, when conjugated. For example, verbs take s, ed or ing
in some of its forms depending on the tense and the subject-verb agreement.
Agreement
In English a verb may agree with the person and number of its subject. For example, verbs
take s in the third person singular of the simple present:
Bare Infinitive Third Person Singular
play he she it plays
work he, she, it works
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1st Year Grammar Mrs.A.Abdessemed 2020/2021
When the verb to have conjugates in the third person singular of the simple present, the right
inflection is has NOT haves
The verb to be has different inflections:
to be
I am
he, she, it is
we, you, they are
For a better understanding of inflection and subject –verb agreement the following section
explains what person, number and tense are in English .
Tense, person, and number
A / Person
Each action (or state) has someone connected with it. In other words: Who? Who is doing it ?
Or, who is in that state ?
We call it the "person." There are three persons:
 first person (the person or persons speaking or writing) :When the verb shows an
action or a state of the person speaking, we say the verb is in the first person.
Eg :I go to school.
I like pasta.
We drink water.
 second person (the person or persons addressed),: When the verb shows an action or a
state of the person you are speaking to, we say the verb is in the second person.
You look pretty.
You sleep too much.
 third person (others) When the verb shows an action or a state of someone else,
which is not present, we say the verb is in the third person.
He is a good guy.
She has a garden.
It works fine.
They sing together.
Of course, just because we call it a "person" it does mean it has to be a real person! The
action can be connected to an object, an animal, etc.
For example: The phone rings.
"Rings" is a verb in the third person.
b/Number:
A verb is finite in identifying how many people or things are accomplishing the verb-like
activity. In grammarian lingo, we call this feature of verbs number. If just one person or thing
is doing it, then the finite verb appears in the singular. If more than one person or thing is
doing it, then the finite verb appears in the plural. Hense, There are two numbers singular and
plural.
Sentences in English have a main verb which is stated in a tense (simple present, simple past,
simple future...)
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c/Tense
In addition to person and number , each verb also has a certain time. When we talk about time
in relation to verbs, in grammarian parlance we are talking about tense.
Tense is a grammatical category referring to the time of the situation . In other words, when
does it happen ? Past, present or future ? The tense is indicated by the form of the verb. Is it
Because the verb may be complete or in progress we have 2 categories of tenses in English :
a/We have six major tenses in the English language.
Six Major Tenses
Tense Example
1. present she decides
2. past she decided
3. future she will decide
4. present perfect she has decided
5. past perfect she had decided
6. future perfect she will have decided
Six additional tenses enable us to express an ongoing action. These are called the progressive
tenses, also called the imperfect tenses. Some grammarians refer to these tenses as the
progressive aspect of verbs:
b/Six Progressive Tenses
Tense Example
7. present progressive she is deciding
8. past progressive she was deciding
9. future progressive she will be deciding
10. present-perfect progressive she has been deciding
11. past-perfect progressive she had been deciding
12. future-perfect progressive she will have been deciding
In short, English has 12 different tenses, which show when the action or state take place.
Sometimes just saying when the action or state take place is not enough. We might also want
to mention whether the action is complete, or in progress. This is called the aspect.
Aspect
Aspect is a grammatical category referring to the way that the time of a situation is viewed by
the speaker or writer; the aspect is indicated by a combination of auxiliary and verb form. Verbs
have two aspects: the perfect aspect and the progressive aspect.
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 The perfect of a verb combines a form of the auxiliary have with the -ed participle
of that verb. The auxiliary has two present tense forms (has, have) and one past form (had). For
example, the present perfect of close is has closed or have closed and the past perfect is had
closed:
I have closed the shop for the day.
The shop has closed for the day.
The police had closed the shop months ago.
The present perfect refers to a situation set in some indefinite period that leads to the present.
The situation may be a state of affairs that extends to the present:
They have been unhappy for a long time.
I have lived here since last summer.
We have always liked them.
Or it may be an event or set of events that is viewed as possibly recurring:
We have discussed your problems.
I have phoned him every day since he fell ill.
He has read only newspapers until now.
The past perfect refers to a situation earlier than another situation set in the past:
We had heard a lot about her before we ever met her.
In many contexts, the present perfect and the past perfect can be replaced by the past.
 The progressive combines a form of the auxiliary be with the -ing participle. The
present progressive and the past progressive are illustrated below:
You are neglecting your work.
I am resting just now.
The children were fighting all morning.
We were waiting for you in the lobby.
The progressive indicates that the situation is in progress. It may therefore also imply that it
lasts for only a limited period and that it is not ended. Contrast I read a novel last night
(which implies that I finished it) with I was reading a novel last night.
In other words, a verb can indicate any of the following:
1) When the action takes place, with no additional information.

2) When the action takes place, and that it is in progress.
3) When the action takes place, and that it is complete.
4) When the action takes place, that it was in progress and that it is finally complete.
Practice :Choose the correct word in each sentence.
1. The number of people lined up for tickets was/were four hundred.
2. A number of suggestions was/were made.
3. There is/are a number of important announcements in the bulletin.
4. Here is/are the number of milk shakes you requested.
After tense and aspect ,a verb in English also has 2 possible voices
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Voice
Verbs have two voices: active and passive. The active is the voice that is used most commonly.
The active and passive have different verb phrases in that the passive has an additional auxiliary:
a form of the auxiliary be followed by an –ed participle. Here are examples of corresponding
active and passive verb phrases:
Active Passive
loves is loved
sold was sold
is fighting is being fought
has reconstructed has been reconstructed
will proclaim will be proclaimed
may have asserted may have been asserted
should be purifying should be being purified
The passive is a way of phrasing the sentence so that the subject does not refer to the person or
thing responsible (directly or indirectly) for the action. The passive therefore differs from the
corresponding active not only in the forms of the verb phrases but also in the positions of certain
noun phrases. The direct object (dO) or the indirect object (iO) of the active sentence becomes
the subject (S) of the corresponding passive sentence, and the subject (if retained) appears after
the verb in a by-phrase:
Active: A team of detectives (S) is investigating the crime (dO)
Passive: The crime (S) is being investigated by a team of detectives.
Active: The new management (S) has offered employees (iO) a better deal.
Passive: Employees (S) have been offered a better deal by the new management.
Active: Three bullets (S) penetrated his heart (dO).

Passive: His heart (S) was penetrated by three bullets.
Active: Scientists (S) predicted the location, extent, and strength of the earthquake (dO) with
unprecedented accuracy.
Passive: The location, extent, and strength of the earthquake (S) were predicted by scientists
with unprecedented accuracy.
Generally the passive sentence does not contain the by-phrase:
Britain’s reservations on these points were duly noted.
Most of the buildings were destroyed.
The decision has already been taken.
The most common reason for using the passive is to avoid referring to the person performing
the action. That may be because the identity of the person is not known or because it is felt to
be unnecessary to identify the person (perhaps because it is irrelevant or obvious) or it is felt to
be tactless to do so:
He was immediately admitted to the hospital.
The refrigerator door has not been properly closed.
Some -ed participle forms may be used as adjectives. In the following sentences the -ed forms
are adjectives, not passive participles:
She was annoyed with them.
I am worried about Edward.
My teachers are pleased with my progress.
These sentences look like passive sentences, but the -ed words are adjectives if one or more of
these possibilities apply:
The Structures of Phrases
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1. if they can be modified by very (for example, very annoyed);

2. if they can occur with a linking verb other than be (for example, became worried);
3. if they can be linked with another adjective (for example, angry and worried).
The -ed participle form is obviously an adjective in Many seats were unsold when I
rang the ticket office because there is no verb unsell.
Classes of verbs :
1-Transitive vs intransitive verbs
Verbs can be classified according to whether they are transitive or intransitive verbs:
Transitive verbs are verbs that require one or more objects. In other words, a transitive verb
has a subject and a direct object.
The word transitive comes from the Latin "to go across."
Examples:
 She cut the cake.

 They climbed the mountain.
 He gave her a flower.
The verbs cut, climbed, and gave have objects.
Transitive verbs Objects
cut the cake
climbed the mountain
gave her and a flower
Transitive verbs can be categorized into two types: monotransitive and ditransitive:
1. Monotransitive verbs are verbs that require exactly one object.

Example:
He wrote a poem
2. Ditransitive verbs are verbs that may require two objects, a direct object and an
indirect object.
Example:
She offered him (first object) her car (second object).
Intransitive verbs
By contrast, intransitive verbs do not require an object..
Intransitive: the verb only has a subject. Intransitive means not transitive
Examples:
 They run.
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 He died.
 She slept
 It snows.
The verbs run, died, slept and snows have no objects. They are intransitive.
Practice : Decide which verbs are transitive and which are not.
 Could you bring an umbrella?
 Sam is sleeping.
 They bought a yacht.
 I read all his books.
 Let's go.
 He sits here.
 He teaches driving.
 You promised to take us home.
 She plays the drums.
 The kids are jumping.
 We will talk tomorrow.
 Her stomach aches sometimes after lunch.
Practice : Decide whether the verbs in bold are transitive or intransitive
1-She was crying all day long.
2-We showed her the photo album.

3-The doctor advised me to exercise regularly.
4-It was raining at that time.
She laughed at the joke.
5-She gave a cookie to the child. They slept in the street.
6- I ate the cherries.
7-My father doesn't drink coffee.
8-He always keeps his money in a wallet.
Many English verbs can be used both as transitive and intransitive verbs.
Now, what does that mean?
It means that you can use them with a direct object, or without, depending on the sentence.
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For example:
 We won!
 We won the game!
Both of these sentences are correct. The verb "won" is intransitive in the first sentence, and
transitive in the second one.
Nicole opened the door.
Suddenly, the doors opened.
 Will you help us?

 She never helps around the house.
 Jimmy runs a successful company.
 Jimmy runs very fast.
2-Regular Verbs vs Irregular verbs:

A regular verb is a verb that follows this rule:
Past form of the verb = Present form of the verb + ed / d
For example, work is a regular verb because:
Past form of work = work + ed = worked
Dance is a regular verb too. That is because:
Past form of dance = dance + d = danced

We call the present form a base form, or V1 (Verb 1).
We call the past form V2 (Verb 2).
There is another form called V3 (Verb 3). That is the form that we use in the Perfect Tenses.
These are examples of Regular Verbs:
V1 V2 V3
help helped helped
open opened opened
stop stopped stopped
change changed changed
Irregular Verbs
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An irregular verb is a verb that does not follow the « ed » rule.
For example, drink is an irregular verb because the past form of drink is drank, and not
"drinked".
Go is an irregular verb too. That is because the past form of go is went, and not "goed".
These are examples of Irregular Verbs:
V1 V2 V3
take took taken
buy bought bought
eat ate eaten
give gave given
leave left left
am was been
The English language has a great number of irregular verbs!
3- Finite verb vs non-finite
A finite verb is a form of a verb that has a subject and exhibit tense and number in an
independent clause or sentence. Finite verbs are distinguished from non-finite verbs which do
not show a distinction in tense and number, and cannot stand alone as the main verb in an
independent clause.
Examples
They watched the match. - They is a subject; watched is a finite verb; the match is an object.
They are watching the match. - They is a subject; are is a finite verb; watching is a non-finite
verb (which does not exhibit tense and number); the match is an object.
A non-finite verb
A non- finite verb is a form of a verb that does not have a subject and and does not exhibit
tense and number in an independent clause or sentence. In English, the non-finite verb forms
are infinitives and gerunds and participles. Non-finite verbs are distinguished from finite
verbs which show a distinction in tense and number, and may stand alone as the main verb in
an independent clause.
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Examples
They are writing the letter. - They is a subject; are is a finite; writing is a non-finite verb
(which does not exhibit tense nor number); the match is an object.
They wrote the letter . - They is a subject; wrote is a finite verb; the letter is an object.
4-Stative Verbs vs Dynamic Verbs
Stative verbs (State of being or static verbs) are verbs that express a state rather than an
action. Also called non-continuous verbs and non progressive verb (because not used with
continuous/progressive tense),and non-action verbs.
« Listening » is an activity,an effort,a decision ;thus continuous.Whereas, « heae »is very

passive,requiring no effort-thus ,non continuous.
Stative verbs have undefined duration. they denote states rather than actions.
Very few stative verbs can accept a direct object
Sub + STATIVE + adj
e.g. Jack IS handsome e.g. Jill SEEMS moody.
some of the most common non-continuous verbs:
 feeling: dislike, envy, fear, hate, like, love, prefer, satisfy, want, wish
 senses: appear, feel, hear, see, seem, smell, sound, taste
 abstract: contain, exist, need
 communication: agree, deny, disagree, impress, mean, please, promise, satisfy,
surprise
 thinking: believe, doubt, imagine, know, mean, realize, recognize, remember,
suppose, understand
 possession: belong, lack, owe, own, possess
other states: be, care, concern, cost, depend, involve, matter, need
Example sentences:
She is a great wife.
He seems rather strange.
He wanted to see you.
That sounds awesome!
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We have enough things to do.
N.B : Stative verbs are usually not used in the progressive tenses.
Examples:
Incorrect: He is wanting to see you.
Correct: He wants to see you.
Incorrect: I am knowing what to do.

Correct: I know what to do.
Incorrect: They are seeming nice.

Correct: They seem nice.
However, if the same verb is used to describe an actual action (not a state), then it can be used
in the progressive tenses.
Example:
When the verb "have" means "own" – it is a state. So we do not use it in the progressive
tenses.
Incorrect: I am having a laptop.

Correct: I have a laptop.
When the verb "have" means "eat" – it is an actual action. So we can use it in the progressive
tenses.
Correct: I am having lunch with Kate.

Correct: I have lunch with Kate.
Dynamic Verbs (action verbs)
Dynamic verbs are the opposite of stative verbs. They express a real action that shows
continued or progression on the part of the subject.
Some Examples:
act, build, complete, design, develop, draw, fix, gather, handle, head, help, improve,
interview, introduce,jump, justify, listen, lead, measure, narrate, negotiate,open, orchestrate,
originate, outline, perform, persuade, predict, regulate, record, save, show, study,swim, target,
transform, travel, treat, uncover, unveil, use, validate, value, visualize, widen, write, zap,
zoom...
Example sentences:
 They swam to the other side.

 She hit me on the head!
 Open the window, please.
These verbs can be used both in the simple and continuous forms.
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 Look at her! She is acting foolishly.

OR
She acts as a teacher in this movie.
 The company is targeting young customers with this new product.
OR
We targeted a new market with that product.
The dynamic verbs can be used in the progressive tenses.
Correct: He is drinking water.

Correct: He drinks water.
Dynamic and stative
Some verbs can be both action verbs and dynamic verbs depending on their meaning:
1. Be
 be = it is usually used as a stative verb - stative

He's an excellent guitarist.
 be = when it means behave or act, it can be used as a an action verb in the continuous
form. - dynamic
You are being silly.
2. Think
 think = to express an opinion, to believe - stative

I think it's a fantastic idea.
 think = consider, to reason about or reflect on, ponder, to have or formulate in the
mind - dynamic
I am thinking about my friend
3. Have
 have = to possess, to own - stative

He has a beautiful car
 have = when it doesn't mean own or possess - dynamic
He's having lunch.
4. See
 see = to perceive with the eye, to understand - stative

I see what you mean.
 see = to meet, to be in the company of, to escort, to attend - dynamic
He's been seeing the same woman for eight years.
Practice : Say if the verb is stative or dynamic
read ……………………….
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know……………………….
play……………………….
seem ……………………….
drive……………………….
understand ……………………….
grow……………………….
believe……………………….
paint ……………………….
write……………………….
5-Modal Verbs Vs Auxilary verbs:
1 /English modal verbs are special verbs that are used to show possibility, ability,
permission, and so forth.
Examples:
"It might rain" – shows possibility.
"I can juggle" – shows ability.
"You may sit down" – shows permission.
The modal verbs are: can, could, may, might, must, ought to, shall, should, will , have
to and would.
First of all, what does MODAL mean ?
modal = expressing mood.
mood = a way to express the attitude of the speaker to what is being said.
Examples:
"I can paint" means the speaker believes he has the ability to paint.
"I might paint" means the speaker believes there is a possibility for that to happen.
"I will paint" means the speaker has the intention to paint.
English Modal Verbs show us the attitude of the speaker to what is being said.
What is special about the modal verbs?
They are special because they behave differently from other verbs in English:
 English modal verbs are used together with the base form of another verb.
Examples:
"He might come late."
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"You may leave if you wish."

"We must finish this on time."
 English modal verbs have only one form. You don't add "-ing", "-ed" or "-s" to
them.
Examples:
Correct: "We must go now."

Incorrect: "We are musting go now."
Correct: "They said we could park here."

Incorrect: "They said we coulded park here."
Correct: "She can help us."

Incorrect: "She cans help us."
 To form questions use the modal verb itself, but change the order.
Examples:
"He can fix the car tomorrow."
Correct: "Can he fix the car tomorrow?"

Incorrect: "Does he can fix the car tomorrow?"
"We should start packing our things."
Correct: "Should we start packing our things?"

Incorrect: "Do we should start packing our things?"
"She will be ten years old next month."
Correct: "Will she be ten years old next month?"

Incorrect: "Does she will be ten years old next month?"
 To form negative sentences use the modal verb itself and add "not" or "n't" to it.
Examples:
"He can run fast enough."
Correct: "He can't run fast enough."

Incorrect: "He doesn't can run fast enough."
"She could lift a feather."
Correct: "She could not lift a feather."

Incorrect: "She did not could lift a feather."
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"I thought he would come."
Correct: "I thought he wouldn't come."

Incorrect: "I thought he did not would come."
How and when do we use each of the English modal verbs?

"can" (negative: cannot, can't)
Meaning: to be able to; indicates ability or possibility
 To talk about what you are able to do

"He is so strong! He can lift that car!"
"She can't come before four o'clock."
"Can he teach?"
 To talk about a general possibility

"The weather here can get really bad."
"These chairs can be folded."
"Such things can happen."
 To say that something is allowed

"He can borrow my book if he needs it."
"You can't smoke in here".
"You can pay with a credit card."
 To make a request
(this is is an informal use, "may" is the formal version)
"Can you help me with my homework?"
"Can you make some tea?"
"Can you come here, please?"
"could" (negative: could not, couldn't)
Meaning: past tense of “can”, indicates ability or possibility in the past
 As the past form of "can"

"He said he couldn't come so early."
"I couldn't remember who he was."
"They couldn't pass the border."
 To make a polite request

"Could you open the window, please?"
"Could you turn up the heat?"
"Could you remind him to call?"
 To show possibility ("may" and "might" are stronger)

"She could be with her parents."
"It could take you months to find a new place."
"He could still win, but it's not very likely."
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Note: “Could” is used in conditional sentences.

"may" (negative: may not)
Meaning: used to indicate possibilities in the future
In interrogative sentences, “may” is the most polite way to ask permission (as opposed to
“can” or “could”).
 To show possibility (it is slightly stronger than "might")

"What he said may be true."
"It may rain."
"You may win the race."
 To request or give permission

(this is a formal use, "can" is the informal version)
"You may sit down."
"May I speak?"
"He may not use the car."
"might" (negative: might not)
Meaning: synonym of “may”, indicates possibilities in the present or future
 As a past from of "may"

"The weatherman said it might rain."
"She mentioned that she might come."
"We agreed that it might be dangerous."
 To show possibility (it is slightly weaker than "may")

"He might pass the exam, but I wouldn't count on it."
"We might fail, but let's not think about it."
"I might visit on Saturday."
Note :“Might” can also be used like “may” to ask permission, but this is much
more common in British English than in American English
"must" (negative: must not, mustn't)
Must” indicates an obligation, prohibition (when in the negative) or necessity; it is a

synonym of “have to” in affirmative sentences.
“Must” can also be used in rhetorical questions.
 To show that you have to do something, for example because it is very

important or because it is a rule
"You must stop the car when the traffic light turns red."
"You must pay your taxes."
"She must stop drinking if she wants to keep her job."
"I must go now, otherwise I will miss my train."
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 "Must not" (or "mustn't") is used to show you are not allowed to do
something
"You mustn't steal."
"He mustn't talk to his parents like that."
"The fruit of this bush must not be eaten because it is toxic."
 To show that something is very logical or very likely to be true

"He left at noon, so he must be there already."
"She is not stupid, so she must have known what she was doing!"
"They must be really rich to live in such a house."
"ought to" (negative: ought not to)
Meaning: synonym of “should” although it is less common.
 To say what is the right thing to do ("should" is the more common word)
"In her condition, she ought to quit smoking."
"I believe you ought to apologize."
"He was watching TV when he ought to have been studying."
"shall" (short form: 'll, negative: shall not, shan't)
Meaning: used, like “will”, to express the future
The use of “shall” is much more common in British English and is generally considered
more polite.
 Used with "I" and "we" to talk about the future (especially in formal British
English)
"I shall leave tomorrow morning."
"I'll never forget you."
"We shall overcome."
"I shan't be late again."
 Used with "I" and "we" to ask questions or make suggestions

"Shall I close the door?"
"What shall we do tonight?"
"Let's start, shall we?"
Note: The short forms of “will”& “shall” are the same. Therefore, “I’ll” in the above
example can mean either “I will” or “I shall”.
We also use “shall” for offers or to make suggestions or to ask about opinions or
preferences.
"should" (negative: should not, shouldn't)
Meaning: indicates a recommendation or obligation or reflects an opinion about what is

right or correct
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 To say what is the right thing to do

"You should be helping your mother."
"If he doesn't like the job, he should tell it to his boss."
"If you knew you were going to be so late, you should have called."
 To give advice or ask for advice

"You should try the new restaurant down the street."
"What should I do? Should I tell him the truth?"
"Should I try to take the exam again?"
 To show that something is likely to be true or that it is expected

"Let's return home, dinner should be ready by now."
"We should arrive there by twelve o'clock."
"I should get an e-mail from him soon."
"will" (short form: 'll, negative: will not, won't)
Meaning: used to express willingness or consent
 To talk about future actions or future states (not plans)

"I hope he will pass his exams."
"She'll be very happy to hear this."
"They will not be here on time."
"You won't feel a thing."
 For promises or intentions

"Leave it, I will do the dishes."
"It must be Joe at the door, so I'll get it."
"I won't do that again, I promise."
"would" (short form: 'd, negative: would not, wouldn't)
Meaning: past tense of “will”; indicates preference, desire, or intention
 As the past form of "will" in reported speech

"I will handle it myself." --> "He said he would handle it himself."
"I won't be late." --> "He said he wouldn't be late."
"She'll change her mind in the end." --> "He said she'd change her mind in the
end."
 To talk about an imagined situation

"What would you do if you were a millionaire?"
"I wish he'd take a break."
"I would have cleaned the house, but I was too tired."
 To make a polite request

"Would you mind closing the window?"
"Would you get me the paper, please?"
"Would someone please answer the phone?"
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 To invite someone, or offer something, politely

"Would you like a drink?"
"We are going for a walk, would you like to join us?"
"Would you like to meet her?"
To say that you want something or want to do something
I would like = a polite way of saying, "I want."

I would hate = a polite way of saying, "I don't want."
I would rather = a polite way of saying, "I prefer."
"I would like a cup of coffee, please."

"I would hate to miss this opportunity."
"We'd rather study with you."
- "Would you like to come with us?"
-" I'd love to, but I can't."
Note: “Would” is used to form the conditional in English.
To sum up :
English Modal Verbs Table
Modal
Usage Example
verb
I can do several things
ability
at the same time.
when something is possible Miracles can happen.
can
permission You can go now.
Can you come here for a
informal requests
minute?
She said she could pay
past form of "can"
for us as well.
Could you move
could polite requests
your bag, please?
It could be that he
possibility
missed the train.
possibility It may rain tomorrow.
may ask for or give
May I speak?
permission (formal)
He said he might
past form of "may"
might change his mind.
possibility This might fail.
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you have to do it You must obey the law.

must it's very logical or They left so early, they
very likely to happen must be home by now.
must not/ you are not
You mustn't smoke in here.
mustn't allowed to do it
future for "I" and "we" I shall see him tomorrow.
shall questions and suggestions for
Let's continue, shall we?
"I" and "we"
the right thing to do She should call the police.
- What should I do?
advice - You should stop
should
thinking about it.
what is likely or We should be
expected to happen back by midnight.
future action or states Prices will go up
will (not plans) next summer.
promises and intentions It's alright, I'll pick it up.
past form of "will" He told me he would come.
What would you do
imagined situations
if you were him?
- Would you please sit down?
would - Would you like some tea?
for polite requests, offers and
- We are meeting with Sarah
invitations
next Saturday, would you like
to come along?
to say what you
I would like a piece of cake.
want to do or have
ought to the right thing to do You ought to apologize.
Practice : Write the correct modal verb. Note that in some cases there is more than
one correct answer.
Martha was looking out of the window when she noticed the clouds in the sky. "Wow,"
she called, "it seems like it rain."
Martha: Philip! I think you take the umbrella with you.
Philip: Oh no… The umbrella is too big! I not carry it by myself. I rather
leave it at home.
Martha: What are you talking about? You get wet for sure!
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Philip: You know, Martha, people get wet. It's not the end of the world. I just
go without it?
Martha: No, you not. Janet told her husband that he leave without his
umbrella and look what happen to him.
Philip: What happened to him?
Martha: you please stop talking and take your umbrella with you?
Philip: There aren't that many clouds in the sky. It not rain after all.
Martha: You be joking.
Philip: Well, a man do what a man do. I take the umbrella. I

take anything else?
Martha: If I were you I be happy to take an umbrella.
Philip: I like to be happy, but it's too heavy!
Practice :Write the correct modal verb. Note that in some cases there is more than
Martha and Philip were walking down the street when Martha stopped.
Martha: Philip, Look! you see that lady on the other side of the street?
Philip: Yes, I … There be something special about her if you ask…
Martha: Yes, there is! She looks just like my boss. It be her. I go and talk
with her?
Philip: you like to go and talk with her?
Martha: I say that the answer is "no."
Philip: Well, then…
Martha: No, Philip, wait! It be her, and she notice me and think bad things
about me.
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Philip: Why she think bad things about you?
Martha: She think I'm impolite.
Philip: If you are so worried about it, then just go and talk with her. You introduce
us.
Martha: I not talk with her. I don't like her.
Philip: Ok, so can we just go? It be eight o'clock by now. We miss the
movie if we don't go now.
Martha and Philip continue walking, but Martha is troubled, "Is it really her? Who
she be?"
2/Auxiliary Verbs (also called "helping verbs") & the main verb :
Basically, auxiliary verbs are function words, a type of closed class which is constituted
of words that have a grammatical function as opposed to content words, which are an
open class of lexical words. An auxiliary verb is used to add functional or grammatical
content to the information expressed by another verb, considered to be the main verb.
Auxiliary verbs are also called helping verbs
Examples:
 I am writing a book.
 He has done the work.
 We will be there in a minute.
 Would you help me with this homework?
 Can you open the door?
 Did you visit New York last holiday?
 Do you like chocolate?
 They must get there on time.
In other words,Auxiliary verbs are verbs that are used together with another verb (called
the main verb of the sentence) to express the action or state.
Main verb + auxiliary verb = complete idea
Eg :Are singing
The main verb is "singing."

The auxiliary verb is "are."
Example sentences (the auxiliary verb is in bold, and the main verb is underlined):
 They are jogging.
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 She was sitting.
 We were waiting for hours.
 Is she sleeping?
 He didn't know the answer.
 We have gone a long way.
 Has she received any of my letters?
 Do you smoke?
 Will she help?
List of most common auxiliary verbs
This is a list of English auxiliary verbs:
 be (am, are, is, was, were, being),

 can,
 could,
 do (did, does, doing),
 have (had, has, having),
 may,
 might,
 must,
 shall,
 should,
 will,
 would
Auxiliary verb or full verb?
To distinguish a full verb from an auxiliary verb, you can carry out the following test:
If the verb
 allows subject-auxiliary inversion

 and can take not in the negative form,
then it is an auxiliary verb.
Examples:
 You are going to travel to London. -

Are you going to travel to London?
You are not going to travel to London.
= are is an an auxiliary verb
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 You see what I mean. --

*See you what I mean.
*You see not what I mean.
= see is not an auxiliary verb; it is a full verb.
(The asterisk * indicates that the sentence is not grammatical.)
Practice :Choose the correct auxiliary
 Tell me, ………………. you coming to the party?

 They …………………. finished the job.
 What …………………..you do every Sunday?
 I ………………….like to watch TV. There …………….. a good film on.
 She ……………..not want to stay at home. She wants to go out with her friends.
 He ……………..called me twice this morning.
 What ………………….she do in her free time?
 Where …………………….they go yesterday?
 She ………………………always wanted to meet him.
 What ……………………. ;they doing when you came in?
Practice :Choose the correct auxiliary verb
 What ……………… you been doing?

 Why ………………….come to the party yesterday?
 I ………………. like his jokes. They made me sick.
 Mercedes cars…………… made in Germany.
 I …………mad about fish but I ……………….like roast chicken.
 America ………………. discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492.
 They ……………… met her in Paris.
 Where ……………… going when I met you?
 Is it true that you ………………making a trip to Africa next week?
 She …………………. ; come yet; we're still waiting for her.
Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that, unlike the auxiliary verbs “be”, “do”and “have”,
cannot function as principal verbs.
Modal verbs express modality, ability, possibility, necessity, probability, obligation or

other conditions. They are auxiliary verbs used for forming the future and conditional.
As complementary verbs, modal verbs cannot function without other verbs. The
principal verb is always found after the modal verb and in the base form. Modal verbs are
not conjugated and have no tenses.
Practice : Choose the correct answer.
Which of the following is an auxiliary verb?

go
take
do
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be
want
have got
make
have
say
Practice : Choose the appropriate verb

____ you like coffee?
Go
Take
Do
He ____ waiting for the bus.
is
wants
has got
We ____ got 3 dogs.
make
have
say
I ____ to the gym every day.
want
go
do
They ____ playing football.
are
do
is
____ he live alone?
Do
Has
Does
____ you listening to me?
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Do
Are
Is
6 -Compound Verbs
A compound verb = auxiliary verb + main verb.
Examples:
was playing, has eaten, doesn't want.
Eg : She will fall.
"Will fall" is a compound verb.

Example sentences:
 They were discussing their future.

 He didn't tell us the truth.
 I have finished my homework.
 She will meet us there.
7-Linking verbs vs Stative verbs :

Linking verbs (also referred to as copulas or copular verbs) don't show action like
ordinary verbs. They rather link or connect the subject to a subject complement, the part
of the sentence that follows the verb(it may be an adjective or a noun that identifies or
describes the subject). This complement which contains additional information describes
and identifies the subject.
Examples:
 Larry looks happy. (looks is a linking verb; happy is a complement that describes
and identifies Larry, the subject)
 The play was good. (was is a linking verb; good is a complement that describes
and identifies the play, the subject
 I am a singer.(Am connects the subject I with the noun singer.The noun singer
tells the identity of the subject I.)
 He is Jack.(Is connects the subject he with the noun Jack. The noun Jack tells the
identity of the subject he.)
 She became angry.(Became connects the subject she with the adjective angry.The
adjective angry describes the subject she.)
 Amy turned red.(Turned connects the subject Amy with the adjective red.The
adjective red describes the subject Amy.)
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List of linking verbs
This is a list of common linking verbs:
 appear
 be
 become
 feel
 get
 grow
 look
 prove
 remain
 seem
 smell
 stay
 sound
 taste
 turn
Linking verb?
Some of the verbs listed above can function as linking verbs and also as ordinary verbs
(action) . One trick that you can use to identify whether a verb is a linking verb or an
ordinary verb(action) is to see the relation between the subject and complement. If the
relation is indicative of an equal sign (=), then it is a linking verb. Consider the following
examples:
 He looks angry. (He = angry | linking verb)

 He looked at the man. (He = at the man | action verb)
Examples:
look:
 Nadia looked happy. (linking verb)

 Nadia looked at the window. (ordinary verb)
taste
 The food tastes delicious. (linking verb)

 They tasted the food. (ordinary verb)
appear
 She appeared quiet. (linking verb)

 She appeared in the room. (ordinary verb)
27
The direct object completes the meaning of the verb, but not every verb needs
completion.
For example:
 I built last year.
This sentence feels incomplete. Something is missing. What did I build?
To complete the idea I should add a direct object: "I built a house last year."
Now the idea is complete.

An opposite example:
 I ran yesterday.
This sentence is completely fine just like that, right? The idea is complete, and the verb
doesn't require a direct object.
Practice : Say whether the verb is linking or an ordinary one.
 She looked into the street.

 He is the best soccer player in the world
 She was great in her new performance.
 He seems confused.
 They tasted the pizza.
 The pizza tasted good.
 That sounds fantastic
 Look at me.
 These cookies taste strange.
 The bugle sounds loudly.
 He grew tired of runing.
 She looks fine
 She seems very pleased.
 You look terrible.
 He will not taste the cake
8-STATE vs LINKING
Linking verbs and stative verbs are two separate categories, but most linking verbs are
stative verbs.Linking verbs can be verbs os sense(look,sound,taste,feel,smell,ect)
Stative verbs includes verbs os sense (look,sound,taste,hear,see)
Linking verbs can be verbs of existense (e.g . be,become,appear,seem,remain,turn,ect)
Stative verbs include verbs of existence (e.g.be,have)
Stative verbs include verbs of emotion/feeling: care, detest, dislike, enjoy, envy,
fear, hate, hope, impress, like, love, to mind, need, prefer, promise, satisfy, surprise,
want, wish
28
mind/perception: agree, assume, believe, consider, deny, disagree, doubt, expect, feel
(opinion), forget, imagine, know, look (seem), realise, recognize, remember, sound,
suppose, think, understand
possession/relation: appear, belong to, consist of, contain, cost, depend, have, include,
mean, need, owe, own, possess, resemble, seem, weigh
ALSO: act, astonish, concern, fit, go, involve, lack, matter, measure (have
length), please
In contrast to stative verbs,linking verbs accept adjective phrases, noun phrases and
prepositional phrases as complements :
He seems nice/a good fellow/up to it.
It was good/a pen/under the bed.
She became healthy/president.
In contrast to linking verbs,stative verbs have nothing at all to do with complementation
9-A Gerund
A gerund is a noun made from a verb. To make a gerund, you add "-ing" to the verb.
For example:
In the sentence "I swim every day", the word "swim" is a verb.In the sentence "I like
swimming", the word "swimming" is a noun. Therefore, "swimming" is a gerund.
Second example:
In the sentence "She reads several books a week", the word "read" is a verb. In the
sentence "Reading is important", the word "reading" is a noun. Therefore, "reading" is a
gerund.
More examples of gerunds : buying, fishing, running, watching, telling, and so forth.
The word "gerund" actually comes from the Latin word gerere, which means "do".
You could say this actually makes sense : the gerund describes an action, something you
do.
Gerunds are often used when actions are real or completed.
Examples:
(Note how the main underlined verb relates to real or completed actions.)
 She stopped smoking.
 I finished doing my homework.
 They keep on fighting.
 We discussed moving to Florida.
29
 You recommended waiting until tomorrow.
 He recalled falling asleep on the couch.
 She practices playing those drums all the time.
 John finished fixing the car.
 The job involves dealing with animals.
 Brian mentioned staying up late.
 They suggested not keeping the luggage.
 We started working on this yesterday.
10-The Infinitive
An infinitive is the basic form of the verb + "to".
Examples: to buy, to fish, to run, to watch, to tell, and so forth.
Example Sentences:
"I want to swim."
"They asked us to leave."
"To be, or not to be – that is the question."
"The goal is to win."
The word "infinitive" comes form the Latin word infinitus, from in- (not) and finitus
(finished, limited).
You could say this actually makes sense : the infinitive describes an action, but unlike a
regular verb, it is not limited in any way.
The regular verb is limited to the tense and subject. For example, in the sentence "Diana
danced" the action is limited to Diana and to the past.
However, the infinitive is unlimited. In the sentence "To dance is easy", the action is not
limited to any subject or to any time.
Infinitives are often used when actions are unreal, general, or future.
Examples:
(Note how the main underlined verb relates to unreal, general, or future actions.)
 Kate agreed to come.
 I hope to see you soon.
30
 We plan to finish this shortly.
 They decided to return home.
 She promised to stop smoking.
 We agreed never to talk about it again.
 He offered to sell the house.
 I refuse to pay!
 You seem to be disappointed.
 She asked him not to leave.
 I want to drink.
 They need to get up early.
11- Phrasal verbs

A phrasal verb is a verb that is combined with an adverb or a preposition. The
combination creates a new meaning.
The meaning of the combination of words is not usually obvious from the dictionary
definitions of the two words separately.
Examples:
 Run = to move very quickly with your legs.

("She can run fast!")
 Into = in the direction of something.

("He looked into my eyes.")
 Run into = to meet someone by accident.

("I ran into Joe yesterday.")
 Make = to create or do something.
("He made some pancakes.")
 Up = to a higher point.
("Look up!")
 Make up = invent (a story, an excuse).

("It has never happened. He made the whole thing up!")
 Put = to place something somewhere.
("He put the plates on the table.")
 Up = to a higher point.
("Look up!")
31
 With = concerning.
("She is happy with her workplace.")
 Put up with = to tolerate.

("I cannot put up with this behavior any more!")
Some more examples:
 Get up = to stand up after sitting or lying.

("It's hard for him to stand up on his own.")
 Put on = to dress yourself in something.

("Put on your gloves. It's Cold outside.")
 Fall for = to begin to love someone.

("He fell for her the minute he saw her.")
How to remember English phrasal verbs?
1.Phrasal verb = single meaning
The first thing to do with phrasal verbs is to learn them as phrases and not only as
separate words. Try to remember them as if they were a single verb.
2. Group phrasal verbs together
The second thing that will help you is to remember them in groups.
For example, make a list of phrasal verbs with the word get in them and try to remember
them.
If you find it easier, you can put them in groups of verbs with the same preposition. For
example, phrasal verbs including the word up.
3. Your own sentences

The third thing that will help you learn phrasal verbs is to make up or write sentences that
will help you remember how they are used.
4. Other necessary prepositions
The fourth important thing about phrasal verbs is to remember if there are any other
prepositions which always follow them.
 For example: "He gets on well with his brother."
Separable and inseparable phrasal verbs
There are two kinds of phrasal verbs: separable and inseparable.
Separable phrasal verbs can have the object in the middle of the two words.
32
 For example: "He put it down."
Inseparable phrasal verbs must have the object after the two words.
 For example: "He fell for his best friend's sister."
Separable phrasal verbs can take the object in between the two words, or after the two
words.
 For example: "She put her socks on," or "She put on her socks."

« In the name of Allah with whose Name nothing

is harmful on Earth nor in the Heavens and He is
the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.”
Best of Luck
« O God, I have delivered (the message), may You be my witness"
33

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1st Year Grammar Mrs.A.

2- or state of being (exist, stand)

The verb is marked by tense, person, and number.

Inflections and subject - verb agreement :

Bare Infinitive Third Person Singular

play he she it plays

work he, she, it works

we, you, they are

a/We have six major tenses in the English language.

Six Major Tenses

b/Six Progressive Tenses

In other words, a verb can indicate any of the following:

1) When the action takes place, with no additional information.

Practice :Choose the correct word in each sentence.

1. The number of people lined up for tickets was/were four hundred.

2. A number of suggestions was/were made.

3. There is/are a number of important announcements in the bulletin.

4. Here is/are the number of milk shakes you requested.

Active: Three bullets (S) penetrated his heart (dO).

1. if they can be modified by very (for example, very annoyed);

 She cut the cake.

The verbs cut, climbed, and gave have objects.

Transitive verbs Objects

cut the cake

climbed the mountain

gave her and a flower

1. Monotransitive verbs are verbs that require exactly one object.

By contrast, intransitive verbs do not require an object..

 Could you bring an umbrella?

 They bought a yacht.

 I read all his books.

 You promised to take us home.

 She plays the drums.

 The kids are jumping.

 We will talk tomorrow.

 Her stomach aches sometimes after lunch.

Practice : Decide whether the verbs in bold are transitive or intransitive

1-She was crying all day long.

2-We showed her the photo album.

Now, what does that mean?

 Will you help us?

2-Regular Verbs vs Irregular verbs:

Past form of the verb = Present form of the verb + ed / d

For example, work is a regular verb because:

Past form of work = work + ed = worked

Dance is a regular verb too. That is because:

Past form of dance = dance + d = danced

We call the past form V2 (Verb 2).

These are examples of Regular Verbs:

help helped helped

open opened opened

stop stopped stopped

change changed changed

An irregular verb is a verb that does not follow the « ed » rule.

These are examples of Irregular Verbs:

take took taken

buy bought bought

eat ate eaten

give gave given