Verb
“Verb is a word which shows an action, being
and happening”
E.g. They were working on this project [“were
working” shows an action]
There is a letter on the table [“is” shows
being]
It is raining very hard [“is raining” shows
happening]
Classification of verb
Verbs are divided into two parts
1. Primary verbs
2. Secondary verbs
1. Primary verbs: These verbs are divided
into two parts
i. Finite verb
ii. Nonfinite verb
2. Secondary verbs: Modals [can, could, may,
might …….etc]
Finite verb: “It depends on time and
subject of a sentence”
E.g. A few students are studying and making
their future bright.
Explanation: See here “are” represents time.
Which is a finite verb?
E.g. I have taken my lunch and listened to some
old songs.
Explanation: In the given sentence "have"
represents the time which is a finite verb.
Finite verbs are divided into four parts.
a. Transitive verb
b. Intransitive verb
c. Linking/ Be verb
d. Helping/ auxiliary verb
a. Transitive verb: This verb has object
means with object
E.g. They play chess every night.
Explanation: Here “chess” is an object.
Note: if you ask the question with “whom and
what” the answer will be the object.
b. Intransitive verb: This verb has no object
means without object
E.g. They play on the ground.
Explanation: There is no object “on the ground”
is an adverb phrase here.
Some intransitive verbs are: [appear, go, swim,
sleep, lie, come, arrive, reach, disappear, live,
fall, rain, wait, cough. Happen, rise, work and
expire]
c. Linking/ Be Verbs
[Is/am/are/was/were/be/been/being]
[be/ become/ get/ grow/ feel/ smell/
taste/ sound/ keep/ reach/ prove/ look/
seem/ appear/ stay/ turn/ remain etc.]
Explanation: Linking verb is a kind of verb that
creates a link between noun and pronoun.
E.g. He is one of the dominant politicians of this
town. [‘is’ linking verb]
I have a number of readable novels. [‘have’
linking verb]
d. Helping/ auxiliary verb:
[do/ does/did] + verb Ist
[is/am/are/was/were] + verb “ing”
[has/have/had] + vIIIrd
[has been/have been/ had been] + verb +
ing
[will/shall] + verb Ist
[will be/ shall be] + verb “ing”
[ will have / shall have] + verb IIIrd
E.g. I do not like to take part in such
competitions.
All the children were playing happily on the
beach.
They have beautified the garden.
All the candidates will be here on Monday.
They will be composing new songs in the
night.
Rakesh and Ramesh will have helped the
poor.
Nonfinite verbs:
1. Participle
2. Infinitive
3. Gerund
1. Participle
a. It is a form of a verb that ends with
[ed/en/ing]. It is used both as a verb and an
adjective.
E.g Watching a new serial he slept.
Children love dancing toys.
I saw a bloomed flowers.
a. Present participle.
b. Past participle.
c. Perfect participle
a. Present participle: (v + ing)
E.g. Walking along the beach, I saw a few
children.
Running on the road, I fell.
Working on this project, he collected a lot
of information.
Check the usages of Dangling Participle
E.g. Walking on the beach a dead body was
seen by me. (Incorrect)
While I was walking along the beach I was
a dead body. (Correct)
Walking along the beach I saw a dead
body. (Correct)
Explanation: In the first sentence the subject of
waling is ‘dead body’ which is inappropriate so
to make this confusion clear and avoid
ambiguity rewrite the sentences as above
mentioned.
b. Past participle (verb + ed /en/ d)
E.g. I saw a broken chair.
There were many bloomed flowers in the
garden.
They met a defeated army.
Check the Usages
E.g. I was a learned man in the meeting (Don’
say – ‘learnt man’)
There was a case of a sunken ferry. (Don’t
say- ‘sunk ferry’)
Explanation: If past participle is used as an
adjective use (ed/en/e) with the past participle
c. Perfect participle (having + V IIIrd)
E.g. Having accomplished my task, I went to
play cricket.
Having taken lunch, they played melodious
songs.
2. Infinitive
An infinitive is always written with (to + V Ist)
An infinitive is a kind of noun. Sometimes it can
be used without "to" which is called a bare
Infinitive.
E.g. To err is human.
To walk is a good exercise.
Functions of an Infinitive.
1. The subject of a Sentence.
a. To wait seems foolish when decisive action
is required.
b. To solve this question may be time-
consuming.
2. Direct Object Of a Sentence
a. Some students choose to write an essay
on "India – China Relationship".
b. Everyone wanted to play here.
3. As a subject complement
a. My dream is to score high.
b. It is essential to maintain a healthy
lifestyle.
4. As an Adjective
a. This is the best novel to read.
b. I have some new dresses to iron.
5. As an Adverb
a. We must carefully observe to understand.
b. I can’t wait to see it.
Forms of Infinitive:
[Active Forms]
1. Indefinite infinitive
a. I want to live here.
b. They cannot afford to buy a car.
2. Continuous infinitive
a. I would like to be reading the whole day.
b. This machine seems to be working
properly.
3. Perfect infinitive
a. The boys seem to have discovered
something in the forest.
b. I would like to have seen the Taj Mahal
when I visited Agra.
c. He pretended to have watched the
movie before.
4. Perfect Continuous Infinitive
a. The woman seemed to have been crying
for two hours.
b. My friend pretended to have been
working hard all day.
c. She appeared to have been waiting here
for a long time.
[Passive Forms]
[to be + past participle]
E.g. Ram wants a letter to be written.
There was no work to be done, so we left.
It is high time for the shops to be
decorated.
 [to have been + past participle] [let/ bid/ make/ help/ watch / notice/
E.g. Criminal admitted to have been arrested in see/know/hear etc.]
a bank robbery. E.g. Let him play [Active; don’t say “to play”]
Having been typed by the secretary, the Amitabh Bacchan made all the audience
letter was signed by the boss. weep in “Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum”.
Note: Always use “infinitive” after the [Active; don’t say “to weep”]
following verbs. You should help the students prepare
Advise Allow Ask notes. [Active; don’t say “to prepare”]
Attempt Beg Begin Check the usages in Passive Voice
Care Choose Dare E.g. All the audience was made to weep in
Fail Forget Go "Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum” by Amitabh
Happen Hesitate Intend Bacchan. [Passive]
Learn Love Manage The students should be helped to prepare
Need Prefer Try notes by you. [Passive]
Want Wish Note: Use Infinitive without “to” after the
E.g. I advised him to practise hard. following words [but/ than/ and/ except/ as/
All children love to eat chocolate. or etc.]
They need to write an essay. Eg. He wants to come and talk to me [don’t say
Use of [ how + to + verb] “to talk”]
Note: When infinitive is used to express They had sooner stay than leave [don’t say
manner the full forms of the infinitive is "how “to stay and to leave”
to" the verbs implying manner/ method are She had nothing to eat except drink [don’t
[ask, discover, explain, forget, know, learn, say “to drink”]
remember, show, teach, wonder] Note: Use preposition after infinitive if
E.g. I don't know to operate a computer. (W) required.
I don't know how to operate a computer. E.g. I need a ball to write
(R) [say “to write with”]
Note: Use infinitive without “to” after the They want a big house to live [say “to live
following phrases. It is called the bare in”]
infinitive. Those days no airline was safe to travel
[Need not/ dare not/ would better/ would [say “to travel by”]
rather/ had better/ had rather/ do nothing but/ I have no novel to read [correct]
do something but/ do everything but/ why/ Note: Don't use any adverb after "to" in
why not] + V Ist Infinitives. It is called a split infinitive.
E.g. Students need not worry about their E.g. You are requested to carefully carry this
exams. [Don’t say “to worry”] item from the workshop. [Incorrect]
Villagers dare not come out at night. You are requested to carry this item
[Don’t say “to come”] carefully from the workshop. [Correct]
It would better read a new novel. 3. Gerund
[Don’t say “to read”] a. “Gerund” is written with [“V + ing”]
He did nothing but wander the whole day. b. It is a verb form that works as a noun. It is
[Don’t say “to wander] called "verbal noun"
Note: Use infinitive without “to” after the E.g. Walking is a good exercise. [Subject of a
following verbs in the active voice. It is called sentence]
the bare infinitive. Use Regular infinite with I love eating sweets. [Object of a sentence]
"to" in the passive voice. Despite missing the train, we arrived on
time. [Gerund after proposition]
They have a swimming pool in their back yard. We always use ‘gerund' after the following
[Gerund in compound noun] phrases.
Remember: Infinitives and Gerunds are easily Accustomed to Addicted to
replaceable. However, certain rules have to be Aim at Avers to
followed. See the examples. Can’t help Cannot bear
E.g. He stopped to smoke. [action to be done] Cannot help Confidence in
He stopped smoking. [Going on activity] Confident of Desirous of
Note: We always use “gerund” after the Devoted to Disposed to
following verbs. Go on Habituated to
Accuse Anticipate Insist on Looking forward to
Avoid Consider Object to Prohibited from
Defer Detest Prone to Refrain from
Dislike Enjoy With a view to [be+ used to]
Finish Forgive E.g. We are looking forward to becoming
Imagine Like officers. [Don’t say “to become]
Mind Pardon He is accustomed to going to play.
Postpone Practise [Don’t say “to go”]
Prefer Propose Note: The noun or pronoun before a Gerund
Regret Resent should be in the possessive case.
Resist Risk E.g. I don't like you wasting time. [Incorrect]
Start Stop I don’t like your wasting the time [Correct]
Worth My father does not like me going out at
E.g. He does not mind playing me here. night [Incorrect]
[Don’t say “to play”] My father does not like my going out at
We are enjoying watching a comedy night [Correct]
movie. [Don’t say “to watch] 2. Secondary verbs: Modals are used as
He is avoiding taking tea in the morning. secondary verbs.
[Don’t say “to take”]
 Modals
“A verb that is used to express the mood or b. How old she is? She could be over 40.
attitude is known as modals” c. To make an offer
Modals: a. Can I help you?
• Can b. Can I give you some money to help you?
• could Note: ‘Could’ is used to talk about the chances
• may that something will happen or is happening.
• might E.g. It could rain this afternoon. (Don’t say ‘can
• should rain’)
• would d. “Could” in Past
• must a. She could read when she was ten.
• ought to b. My grandmother could sing like an
• need angel.
e. Polite request (formal)
• dare
• used to
a) Could you please pass me the salt? ('would'
Note: "Need", "Dare" and "used to" are known
can also be used)
as semi-modals.
b) Could you please give me a thousand rupees
Note: Modals are “Defective verbs” because
for a month?
some parts wanting in them. They don’t have
Rule: [could + have + VIIIrd ] this form is used
s/es with third person singular.
for past ability while indicating that the action
Structures:
did not take place.
• subject + modals + verb Ist + object/
a. A servant could have revealed the secrets
compliment
to the police.
• subject + modals + have + VIIIrd +
b. Pulwama's attack could have been
object/ compliment
averted.
1. Use of CAN and COULD:
2. Use of MAY/ MIGHT
a. Ability (Knowledge/ Strength/ Skill/ Nature
a. Possibility:
/design)
I. It may rain tonight (possibility more than
a) Everyone here can speak Hindi as well as
60%)
English.
II. It might rain tonight (possibility less than
b) I can read Hindi but I can speak English.
(40% / remote possibility)
c) Those plants can grow anywhere.
b. Permission:
d) Mobile can’t be used like a laptop.
I. May I come in sir? (formal)
e) It can do 25 km per liter.
II. Can I come in? (informal)
f) The blind cannot see the beauty of this
c. Prayer or Wish:
world but they can observe everything.
I. May long live our mighty king!
g) She could pass the examination. (was
II. May every student enjoy all the luxuries
able to)
of this world!
He cannot be able to play cricket. (W)
d. Purpose:
But
I. All the students study hard so that they
a. He cannot play cricket (R)
may achieve their desired job.
b. He will not be able to play cricket. (R)
II. I went to the hospital so that I might visit
Note: Never use “able” with “can/could”
my ailing friend.
because both have the same meaning.
Rule: [ may/ might + have + VIIIrd ] : used to
b. Possibility:
express possibilities relating to the past actions.
a. Who is he? He could be her husband.
I. My father may/ might have left yesterday (
it is possible he left)
II. Better he might have not revealed the
secret (the secret was revealed)
3. Use of SHOULD:
a. Duty/ obligation:
I. You should reach the office on time daily.
II. Promises should be kept.
b. Purpose
I. Walk carefully lest you should fall.
II. Every student should make notes
properly lest you should be confused in an
exam.
c. Condition: [“should” can be used to
replace “if”]
I. Should you play well, you will be
selected.
OR
If you play well, you will be selected.
Rule: [ should + have + VIIIrd ] used to express
obligation in the past. (non-action)
I. You should have stood by the government
said nation to the opposition (but
opposition is not)
II. My friends should have been at the party.
[But he is not there]
4. Use of would
I. We often use 'would' to make requests. It
is a more polite and indirect form of will.
a. Will you prepare dinner. (Direct)
b. Would you prepare dinner? (Less direct)
II. We use 'would' to talk about the future in
the past. The speaker looks forward in time
from a point in the past
a. When I was young I thought that in years
to come I would be tall.
b. When I broke my leg, I thought I would
never dance again.
5. Use of MUST:
c. Necessity or Obligation:
I. Everyone has to follow instructions
which are written on the first page of the
brochure.
II. It is getting late, I must leave now.
d. Order:
I. You must not write with a red ball pen.
II. They must not go out after eight p.m.
e. Strong possibility:
I. It is nine. They must be live now.
II. it is thundering. There must be raining.
f. Deduction:
I. One of my neighbours has a big car. He
must be rich.
II. She reads a lot. She must be a learned
scholar.
6. Ought to:
a. Duty of moral obligation:
I. Everyone should serve the motherland
without fail.
II. You ought to take light food at night to
become slim.
Rule: [ought to + have + VIIIrd] expresses the
past action that was not fulfilled and neglected.
I. You ought to have taken care of your
parents.
II. You ought to have attended the wedding
of your best friend.
7. Use of Used to / would:
a. To denote habitual action or past routines:
I. I used to go to the temple.
II. My friend did not use to play football.
III. She would go out in the evening.
b. “used to” is also used as an adjective with
“present participle”
I. She is used to reading novels at night.
II. He will be used to making presentations.
8. Need/ Dare “semi modals”
Note: They can be used both as main verbs and
modals.
Structure: Subject + main verb + object
[Affirmative]
Subject + helping verb + not + main verb +
object [Negative]
Helping verb + subject + not + main verb +
object? [Interrogative]
Note: "Need"/ "Dare" are used as the main
verb in an affirmative sentence. But used as a
helping verb (modals) in negative or
interrogative sentences.
E.g. He needs to work hard to get selection
[main verb]
Villagers dare to go out in the forest at
night. [main verb]
 He need not worry about his exams. 15. Deprecate (Verb) – Depreciate (Verb)
[modals] 16. Envelop (Verb) – Envelop (Noun)
One of them dare not go out at night. 17. Excite (Verb) – Incite Excite (Verb)
[modals] 18. Flout (Verb) – Flaunt Flout (Verb)
How dare you touch me? [modals] 19. Hoard (Verb) – Horde (Noun)
Rule: [Need not + have + VIIIrd ] expresses an 20. Loathe (Verb) – Loath (Adj.)
action that was not necessary but was 22. Mitigate (Verb) – Militate (Verb)
performed. 23. Pour (Verb) – Pore (Noun)
I. Shobhit need not have attended the 24. Proceed (Verb) – Precede (Verb)
meeting yesterday. 25. Pray (Verb) – Prey (Verb)
27. Censure (Verb) – Censor (Verb)
CONFUSED WITH VERB/NOUN/ADJECTIVE 28. Wave (N/V) – Waive (Verb)
1. Practise (Noun) – Practise (Verb) 31. Defuse (Verb) – Diffuse (Verb)
2. Advice (Noun) – Advise (Verb) 32. Desert (N/V) – Dessert (Noun)
3. Complain (Verb) – Complaint (Noun) 35. Light (Noun) – Burn (Verb/Noun)
4. Affect (Verb) – Effect (Noun/Verb) 36. Catch (V/N) – Hold (Verb/Noun)
6. Hear (Verb) – Listen (Verb) 37. Canvass (Verb) – Canvas (Noun)
7. Heal (Verb) – Heel (Noun) 39. Peddle (Verb) – Pedal (Noun/Verb)
8. Prescribe (Verb) – Proscribe (Verb) 40. Ride (Noun/Verb) – Drive (Verb/Noun)
10. Allude (Verb) – Elude (Verb) 42. Sink (Verb) – Drown (Verb)
11. Amend (Verb) – Emend (Verb) 43. Cease (Verb) – Seize (Verb)
13. Compose (Verb) – Comprise (Verb) 44. Invent (Verb) – Discover (Verb)
14. Deface (Verb) – Efface (Verb)

BASE FORM SIMPLE PAST PAST PARTICIPLE

Accept Accepted Accepted
Achieve Achieved Achieved
Add Added Added
Admire Admired Admired
Admit Admitted Admitted
Adopt Adopted Adopted
Advise Advised Advised
Agree Agreed Agreed
Allow Allowed Allowed
Announce Announced Announced
Appreciate Appreciated Appreciated
Approve Approved Approved
Argue Argued Argued
Arrive Arrived Arrived
Ask Asked Asked
Assist Assisted Assisted
Attack Attacked Attacked
Bake Baked Baked
Beg Begged Begged
Behave Behaved Behaved
Boil Boiled Boiled
Borrow Borrowed Borrowed
Brush Brushed Brushed
Bury Buried Buried
Call Called Called
Challenge Challenged Challenged
Change Changed Changed
Chase Chased Chased
Cheat Cheated Cheated
Cheer Cheered Cheered
Chew Chewed Chewed
Clap Clapped Clapped
Clean Cleaned Cleaned
Collect Collected Collected
Compare Compared Compared
Complain Complained Complained
Confess Confessed Confessed
Construct Constructed Constructed
Control Controlled Controlled
Copy Copied Copied
Count Counted Counted
Create Created Created
Cry Cried Cried
Cycle Cycled Cycled
Damage Damaged Damaged
Dance Danced Danced
Deliver Delivered Delivered
Destroy Destroyed Destroyed
Divide Divided Divided
Drag Dragged Dragged
Earn Earned Earned
Employ Employed Employed
Encourage Encouraged Encouraged
Enjoy Enjoyed Enjoyed
Establish Established Established
Estimate Estimated Estimated
Exercise Exercised Exercised
Expand Expanded Expanded
Explain Explained Explained
Fry Fried Fried
Gather Gathered Gathered
Greet Greeted Greeted
Guess Guessed Guessed
Harass Harassed Harassed
Hate Hated Hated
Help Helped Helped
Hope Hoped Hoped
Identify Identified Identified
Interrupt Interrupted Interrupted
Introduce Introduced Introduced
Irritate Irritated Irritated
Joke Joked Joked
Jump Jumped Jumped
Kick Kicked Kicked
Kill Killed Killed
Kiss Kissed Kissed
Laugh Laughed Laughed
Lie Lied Lied
Like Liked Liked
Listen Listened Listened
Love Loved Loved
Marry Married Married
Measure Measured Measured
Move Moved Moved
Murder Murdered Murdered
Need Needed Needed
Obey Obeyed Obeyed
Offend Offended Offended
Offer Offered Offered
Open Opened Opened
Paint Painted Painted
Park Parked Parked
Phone Phoned Phoned
Pick Picked Picked
Play Played Played
Pray Prayed Prayed
Print Printed Printed
Pull Pulled Puled
Punch Punched Punched
Punish Punished Punished
Purchase Purchased Purchased
Push Pushed Pushed
Question Questioned Questioned
Race Raced Raced
Relax Relaxed Relaxed
Remember Remembered Remembered
Reply Replied Replied
Retire Retired Retired
Return Returned Returned
Rub Rubbed Rubbed
Scold Scolded Scolded
Select Selected Selected
Smoke Smoked Smoked
Snore Snored Snored
Stare Stared Stared
Start Started Started
Study Studied Studied
Talk Talked Talked
Thank Thanked Thanked
Travel Travelled Travelled
Trouble Troubled Troubled
Type Typed Typed
Use Used Used
Visit Visited Visited
Wait Waited Waited
Walk Walked Walked
Want Wanted Wanted
Warn Warned Warned
Wink Winked Winked
Worry Worried Worried
Yell Yelled Yelled