What Is a Verb? Definition, Types, Examples & Guide

Anyone who has ever tried to explain English grammar to a child knows that verbs sit at the heart of every sentence — and that defining them clearly can be the hardest part. This guide cuts through the confusion by starting with what a verb actually is, showing concrete examples, and separating the simple “doing word” explanation from the more complete picture that includes state-of-being verbs.

Definition of verb: A word that describes an action, occurrence, or state of being ·
Part of speech role: Essential for forming complete sentences ·
Common types: Action, linking, helping, modal, and phrasal verbs ·
Verbs in English: Every sentence must have at least one verb ·
Recognized source: Merriam-Webster, Scribbr, BBC Bitesize

What is a verb and examples?

Definition of a verb

A verb is a word that describes an action, an occurrence, or a state of being. According to Merriam-Webster (authoritative dictionary), verbs are “words that characteristically are the grammatical center of a predicate” and express “the kind of action, state, or relation between the subject and the predicate.” In plainer language: the verb tells you what the subject does, what happens to it, or what it is. Without a verb, a group of words cannot be a complete sentence.

Action verbs

Action verbs describe physical or mental activities. They are the easiest verbs for beginners to recognize. Grammar Monster (educational resource) defines them as “words that describe what someone or something is doing.” Common examples include run, jump, eat, sleep, play, read, write, sing, dance, laugh (Vedantu (online learning platform)). School-related action verbs include write, read, draw, ask, listen (OHLA Blog (language teaching blog)).

Linking verbs

Linking verbs do not show action; they connect the subject to additional information about it. The most common linking verb is be (am, is, are, was, were). Scribbr (academic writing resource) notes that linking verbs “are followed by a subject complement” rather than an object. Examples: She is a teacher. The soup tastes delicious. He seems tired.

Helping verbs

Helping verbs (also called auxiliary verbs) work with a main verb to express tense, mood, or voice. The primary helping verbs in English are be, have, do. BBC Bitesize (UK educational authority) explains that helping verbs “help the main verb to make a statement, ask a question, or give a command.” For example: I am running. She has finished. They do not agree.

Example sentences with verbs

• The cat chased the mouse. – action verb (chased) (Grammar Monster)
• She is a doctor. – linking verb (is)
• They have arrived early. – helping verb (have) + main verb (arrived)
• You must finish your homework. – modal verb (must) + main verb (finish)

What are 10 examples of verb?

Action verbs: run, jump, read

Action verbs dominate everyday speech. SplashLearn (educational app for children) lists over 100 verbs for kids, grouping them by category. Some of the most common action verbs for beginners include run, jump, skip, hop, dance, clap, sing (SplashLearn), as well as walk, build, play, find (Study.com (online educational platform)).

Outdoor action verbs include kick, throw, ride, climb, swing (OHLA Blog). Daily routine verbs such as wake up, make bed, brush teeth, go shopping also appear frequently in children’s vocabulary (SplashLearn).

Linking verbs: am, is, are

The verb be has eight forms: be, am, is, are, was, were, been, being. It is the most common verb in English. Cambridge Grammar (academic reference) calls it “the most frequent verb in the English language.” Linking verbs also include seem, become, appear, feel, look, sound, taste, smell. For example: That sounds great. She looks happy.

Helping verbs: can, will, have

Helping verbs combine with main verbs to form different tenses and moods. Scribbr (grammar guide) identifies three primary auxiliary verbs (be, have, do) and a set of modal auxiliaries (can, could, will, would, shall, should, may, might, must). Example: I will go. She can sing. They have finished.

Modal verbs: must, might, should

Modal verbs express necessity, possibility, or obligation. They are a subset of helping verbs that never change form (no -s in third person singular). BBC Bitesize (primary education resources) provides examples: You must wear a seatbelt. It might rain. We should go now.

What is a verb for kids?

Simple explanation for children

BBC Bitesize (KS1 English curriculum) explains verbs simply: “Verbs are doing words – they tell what someone or something does.” This is the most common starting point in primary education. Children are taught that a verb is the action part of a sentence. For example: The dog barks. She reads a book.

Verb as a ‘doing word’

In early years, teachers often call verbs “doing words.” Grammar Monster (ESL resource) notes that “verbs are sometimes called action words.” This shortcut works well for action verbs but can cause confusion when children encounter linking verbs like is or seem, which are not actions. The phrase “doing word” is a useful stepping stone, not a perfect definition (BBC Bitesize).

Games and activities to learn verbs

Begin Learning (parenting resource) suggests acting out verbs physically: “Ask your child to show you what ‘jump’ or ‘whisper’ looks like.” Other effective activities include verb charades, creating verb picture cards, and asking “What is happening?” while reading picture books. SplashLearn (educational app) also recommends verb sorting games where children place words into “action” and “non-action” groups.

Is a verb a doing word?

The ‘doing word’ explanation

Short answer: it is a common and useful simplification, but not entirely accurate. BBC Bitesize (UK primary curriculum) uses “doing word” in its KS1 materials, and many teachers adopt it because young children can easily grasp that run, jump, eat, sleep are all actions. This makes verbs concrete and memorable.

Limitations of the phrase

The problem arises when children encounter sentences like I am happy or She seems tired. Here am and seems are verbs, but they do not describe a physical or mental action. Scribbr (grammar guide) points out that linking verbs “serve to connect the subject to additional information about it” rather than express an action. If a child expects every verb to describe a “doing,” these sentences become confusing.

State-of-being verbs

The verb be (in all its forms) is the most common state-of-being verb. It indicates existence or a condition. Other state-of-being verbs include exist, remain, stay, seem, appear, become. Merriam-Webster (dictionary authority) includes “state of being” as one of the three things verbs can express, alongside action and occurrence. So “doing word” is a helpful label for beginners, but it is not a complete definition.

What are the 5 main verbs?

Action verbs

Action verbs describe what the subject does. They are the largest category. Examples: write, run, build, throw, think, consider (Study.com (online learning)). These can be physical (run, dance) or mental (think, imagine).

Linking verbs

Linking verbs connect a subject to its description. The most common are forms of be (am, is, are, was, were) plus become, seem, appear, feel, look, sound, taste, smell. Scribbr (academic writing guide) notes that “linking verbs are followed by a subject complement.”

Helping verbs (auxiliary verbs)

Helping verbs work with a main verb to form tenses, questions, and negatives. The three primary helpers: be, have, do. Modal helpers: can, could, will, would, shall, should, may, might, must. BBC Bitesize (UK educational) says helping verbs “help the main verb to make meaning clearer.”

Modal verbs

Modal verbs express necessity, possibility, permission, or obligation. They are a subset of helping verbs but are often taught separately because they behave differently (no -s in third person, no past tense forms for most). Cambridge Grammar (academic reference) lists: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would, ought to, need, dare.

Phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs consist of a verb plus a particle (preposition or adverb) that together form a new meaning. Examples: turn off, give up, look after, break down. Grammar Monster (ESL resource) explains that phrasal verbs are “combinations of verbs and prepositions that act as a single verb with a different meaning.” Some grammar frameworks argue they are a subcategory of action verbs, but many teachers treat them as a distinct type due to their unique structure.

Confirmed facts and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Verbs are required in complete sentences (Merriam-Webster)
• Verbs can be action, linking, or helping (Scribbr)
• The verb be has eight forms (Cambridge Grammar)
• Action verbs show physical or mental action (Grammar Monster)
• Linking verbs connect subject to description (Scribbr)

What’s unclear

• Exact number of verb types varies by grammar framework – some limit to three, others list six (Grammar Monster)
• Whether phrasal verbs are a separate main category is debated (BBC Bitesize)

Perspectives from grammar experts

“A verb is a word that describes an action, occurrence, or state of being.”

— Merriam-Webster Dictionary (authoritative dictionary)

“Verbs are doing words – they tell what someone or something does.”

— BBC Bitesize KS1 English (primary curriculum)

“Verbs tell what the subject is doing in a sentence.”

— Scribbr Grammar Guides (academic writing)

“Action verbs show physical actions like jump, run, dance.”

— OHLA Blog (language teaching)

The implication: for parents and teachers, the consensus is clear: start with action verbs and the “doing word” label, then gradually introduce linking and helping verbs. Children who progress through this sequence build a stronger understanding than those who receive all categories at once.

Frequently asked questions