Types of Verbs

State the type of verb:

The boat floats in the bathtub.

Does it make sense on its own?

• Transitive

• Intransitive

• Helping

• Action

Answer explanation

If something makes sense on its own, without the direct object, it is intransitive.

The boat floats in the bathtub.

The boat floats in the bathtub.

State the type of verb:

Can you babysit my kids tonight?

• Transitive

• Action

• Helping

• Compound

Answer explanation

Similar to compound nouns, if it is two or more words smashed together, it is a compound verb.

State the type of verb:

We must get to the party on time.

Is it showing necessity?

• Modal Verb

• Helping

• Transitive

• Action

Answer explanation

If you put the helping verb this is correct.

Even more correct is a modal verb, this is a helping verb that shows necessity (must, will).

State the type of verb:

Jane hates humidity

• Action

• Helping

• Transitive

• Stative

Answer explanation

Stative verbs describe a position or state of being that you can’t see but exists anyway.

State the type of verb:

The dog ran by the river.

• Helping

• Action

• Intransitive

• Transitive

Answer explanation

Action verbs describe actions that someone can do or demonstrate.

I have been there before

Is it aiding another verb?

• Compound

• Linking

• Helping

• Action

Answer explanation

Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, help the main verb of the sentence (known as a participle) by extending its meaning.

State the type of verb:

We are a bit behind schedule

• Modal

• Action

• Helping

• Linking

Answer explanation

Linking verbs connect the subject to details about the subject.

State the type of verb:

Can I borrow your car?

Can it stand on its own without a direct object?

• Intransitive

• Helping

• Transitive

• Linking

Answer explanation

Transitive verbs express an action and are followed by a direct object.

Many transitive verbs don’t make sense without an object.

State the type of verb:

We jumped over the fence.

• Regular

• Irregular

• Linking

• Helping

Answer explanation

Most verbs are regular verbs — verbs that only add -d or -ed in their past tense form.

State the type of verb:

Jane spoke her mind about the book.

• Regular

• Irregular

• Transitive

• Intransitive

Answer explanation

Verbs that change form in the past tense are irregular verbs.