The Verb is the most important part of speech, because without it a sentence or a question cannot exist. It is used to express mental or physical activity as an action or state. 

Verbs like "to run - to destroy - to build ..." describe a physical action or movement, which is why they are called action Verbs "action verbs". 

Verbs like "to believe - to think - to know - to recognize ..." are called mental verbs "mental verbs" because they refer to a cognitive activity like thinking, understanding, discovering ... . 

Verbs like "to be - to feel - to seem - to sound ..." are state verbs "verbs of state" also called "linking verbs". They describe a condition or situation that exists. They are inactive because no action is taken. 

In this lesson we will show you the most popular categories of verbs:

Action verbs "action verbs"

Are verbs that express an action that a person, animal, thing, or force of nature can do.

■ He runs quickly

■ She reads a story.

■ They destroyed a wall. 

State verbs "stative verbs" or "linking verbs".

State verbs are easily identifiable because they do not perform any action. These verbs express a cognitive, emotional or relational state, they link the subject of the verb to information about it in the same sentence. 

■ Paul is smart.

■ They seem determined.

■ She looks tired. 

Transitive verbs "transitive verbs".

A transitive verb is an action verb which expresses something that can be done, and which requires a direct object "direct object".

■ players kick the ball.

Subject ---> players

Verb ---> kick

COD ---> the ball.

■ He eats an apple.

■ She prefers coffee. 

The intransitive verbs "intransitive verbs".

Intransitive verbs are action verbs which do not take a direct object complement, and which do not have a passive form.

■ They laugh ---> subject + verb (no subject).

■ He runs.

■ we voted. 

The auxiliary verbs "auxiliary verbs" or "helping verbs".

In English, the auxiliary verbs are "to be - to have - to do". They are used with a main verb to form a question, a negative sentence, a compound tense, or a passive form.

■ Do you speak english? ---> question

■ The house was built in 1980. ---> passive form

■ They are watching a movie. ---> the progressive form.

■ We have already seen this film. ---> compound time. 

■ She does not have time ---> negation.  

Modal verbs "modal verbs".

Also called "modal auxilaries" modal verbs can never be used alone in a sentence, you always need a main verb. They are used to express ability, possibility, obligation or permission.

■ She can speak two languages.

■ He should see a doctor.

■ We must pay the rent before the end of the month. 

The verbal expressions "phrasal verbs".

A verbal locution usually consists of verb + preposition or verb + adverb. They express a different meaning from that of the original verb. 

■ To break = to break -----> to break in = to enter in force

■ To ask = ask ----> to ask out = invite someone.