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Grammar: Verb Tenses

Most common verb tenses in academic writing.

According to corpus research, in academic writing, the three tenses used the most often are the simple present , the simple past , and the present perfect (Biber et al., 1999; Caplan, 2012). The next most common tense for capstone writers is the future ; the doctoral study/dissertation proposal at Walden is written in this tense for a study that will be conducted in the future.

Biber, D., Johansson, S., Leech, G., Conrad, S., & Finegan, E. (1999). Longman grammar of written and spoken English . Pearson. https://doi.org/10.1162/089120101300346831

Caplan, N. A. (2012). Grammar choices for graduate and professional writers . University of Michigan Press.

Simple present: Use the simple present to describe a general truth or a habitual action. This tense indicates that the statement is generally true in the past, present, and future.

Example: The hospital admits patients whether or not they have proof of insurance.

Simple past : Use the simple past tense to describe a completed action that took place at a specific point in the past (e.g., last year, 1 hour ago, last Sunday). In the example below, the specific point of time in the past is 1998.

Example: Zimbardo (1998) researched many aspects of social psychology.

Present perfect: Use the present perfect to indicate an action that occurred at a nonspecific time in the past. This action has relevance in the present. The present perfect is also sometimes used to introduce background information in a paragraph. After the first sentence, the tense shifts to the simple past.

Example: Numerous researchers have used this method.
Example: Many researchers have studied how small business owners can be successful beyond the initial few years in business. They found common themes among the small business owners.

Future: Use the future to describe an action that will take place at a particular point in the future (at Walden, this is used especially when writing a proposal for a doctoral capstone study).

Example: I will conduct semistructured interviews.

Keep in mind that verb tenses should be adjusted after the proposal after the research has been completed. See this blog post about Revising the Proposal for the Final Capstone Document for more information.

APA Style Guidelines on Verb Tense

APA calls for consistency and accuracy in verb tense usage (see APA 7, Section 4.12 and Table 4.1). In other words, avoid unnecessary shifts in verb tense within a paragraph or in adjacent paragraphs to help ensure smooth expression.

Use the past tense (e.g., researchers presented ) or the present perfect (e.g., researchers have presented ) for the literature review and the description of the procedure if discussing past events.
Use the past tense to describe the results (e.g., test scores improved significantly).
Use the present tense to discuss implications of the results and present conclusions (e.g., the results of the study show …).

When explaining what an author or researcher wrote or did, use the past tense.

Patterson (2012) presented, found, stated, discovered…

However, there can be a shift to the present tense if the research findings still hold true:

King (2010) found that revising a document three times improves the final grade.
Smith (2016) discovered that the treatment is effective.

Verb Tense Guidelines When Referring to the Document Itself

To preview what is coming in the document or to explain what is happening at that moment in the document, use the present or future tense:

In this study, I will describe …
In this study, I describe …
In the next chapter, I will discuss …
In the next chapter, I discuss …

To refer back to information already covered, such as summaries of discussions that have already taken place or conclusions to chapters/sections, use the past tense:

Chapter 1 contained my original discussion of the research questions.
In summary, in this section, I presented information on…

Simple Past Versus the Present Perfect

Rules for the use of the present perfect differ slightly in British and American English. Researchers have also found that among American English writers, sometimes individual preferences dictate whether the simple past or the present perfect is used. In other words, one American English writer may choose the simple past in a place where another American English writer may choose the present perfect.

Keep in mind, however, that the simple past is used for a completed action. It often is used with signal words or phrases such as "yesterday," "last week," "1 year ago," or "in 2015" to indicate the specific time in the past when the action took place.

I went to China in 2010 .
He completed the employee performance reviews last month .

The present perfect focuses more on an action that occurred without focusing on the specific time it happened. Note that the specific time is not given, just that the action has occurred.

I have travelled to China.

The present perfect focuses more on the result of the action.

He has completed the employee performance reviews.

The present perfect is often used with signal words such as "since," "already," "just," "until now," "(not) yet," "so far," "ever," "lately," or "recently."

I have already travelled to China.
He has recently completed the employee performance reviews.
Researchers have used this method since it was developed.

Summary of English Verb Tenses

The 12 main tenses:

Simple present : She writes every day.
Present progressive: She is writing right now.
Simple past : She wrote last night.
Past progressive: She was writing when he called.
Simple future : She will write tomorrow.
Future progressive: She will be writing when you arrive.
Present perfect : She has written Chapter 1.
Present perfect progressive: She has been writing for 2 hours.
Past perfect: She had written Chapter 3 before she started Chapter 4.
Past perfect progressive: She had been writing for 2 hours before her friends arrived.
Future perfect: She will have written Chapter 4 before she writes Chapter 5.
Future perfect progressive: She will have been writing for 2 hours by the time her friends come over.

Conditionals:

Zero conditional (general truths/general habits).

Example: If I have time, I write every day.

First conditional (possible or likely things in the future).

Example: If I have time, I will write every day.

Second conditional (impossible things in the present/unlikely in the future).

Example : If I had time, I would write every day.

Third conditional (things that did not happen in the past and their imaginary results)

Example : If I had had time, I would have written every day.

Subjunctive : This form is sometimes used in that -clauses that are the object of certain verbs or follow certain adjectives. The form of the subjective is the simple form of the verb. It is the same for all persons and number.

Example : I recommend that he study every day.
Example: It is important that everyone set a writing schedule.

Verbs Video Playlist

Note that these videos were created while APA 6 was the style guide edition in use. There may be some examples of writing that have not been updated to APA 7 guidelines.

Grammar for Academic Writers: Common Verb Tenses in Academic Writing (video transcript)
Grammar for Academic Writers: Verb Tense Consistency (video transcript)
Grammar for Academic Writers: Advanced Subject–Verb Agreement (video transcript)
Mastering the Mechanics: Helping Verbs (video transcript)
Mastering the Mechanics: Past Tense (video transcript)
Mastering the Mechanics: Present Tense (video transcript)
Mastering the Mechanics: Future Tense (video transcript)

Related Resources

Knowledge Check: Verb Tenses

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Knowledge Base

What Is a Verb? | Definition, Types & Examples

A verb is a word that describes what the subject of a sentence is doing. Verbs can indicate (physical or mental) actions, occurrences, and states of being.

Anita is thinking about horses.

Verb conjugation, regular vs. irregular verbs, transitive and intransitive verbs, stative and dynamic verbs.

Linking verbs
Auxiliary verbs
Modal verbs
Phrasal verbs

Past	Present	Future
I at the painting.	I at the painting.	I at the painting.
I at the painting.	I at the painting.	I at the painting.
I at the painting.	I at the painting.	I at the painting.
I at the painting.	I at the painting.	I at the painting.

Grammatical mood	Function	Example
Indicative	Express a fact	“Tony chocolate.”
	Express a command or a request	“ the dishes.”
Interrogative	Ask a question	“ you do your homework?”
Conditional	Express a condition	“If you want to borrow that book, you .”
	Express a wish, demand, doubt, or hypothetical situation	“If I rich, I would buy an island.”

Active and passive voice

Most sentences can use either the active or the passive voice . An active sentence is one in which the subject performs the action.

A passive sentence is one in which the subject is acted upon. Passive sentences are constructed using a form of the auxiliary verb “be” (e.g., “was,” “is,” “were”) followed by the past participle of the main verb (e.g., “eaten,” “taken”).

Passive sentences are useful for emphasizing the outcome of an action rather than the action itself.

Participles

Participles are formed from verbs. There are two types of participles:

Past participles are typically used in combination with an auxiliary verb (e.g., “has,” “have,” “had”) for perfect tenses (connecting a past action or event to a later time). Past participles are typically formed by adding the suffix “-ed” (e.g., “worked”).
Present participles are used for continuous tenses (describing an action that is ongoing). They are formed by adding the suffix “-ing” (e.g., “reading”).

Participles are often used as adjectives (e.g., “running shoes”).

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Regular verbs follow the standard conjugation rules for English verbs—most verbs are regular. A verb is considered regular if its simple past and past participle are formed by adding the suffix “-ed” (or “-d” if the word already ends in the letter “e”).

Claude had finished his dinner when James called.

Jock has finished writing in his journal.

Irregular verbs form their simple past and past participles in some way other than by adding the suffix “-ed.”

I had swum almost a mile when the island came into view.

Melissa has swum every Saturday for the last three years.

A transitive verb is a verb that acts on someone or something and therefore takes a direct object (the thing being acted upon).

Intransitive verbs do not act on someone or something and therefore do not take a direct object.

While an intransitive verb does not take a direct object, it can be used along with an adverb or adverbial phrase (as can a transitive verb).

Rita coughed loudly .

Some verbs are ditransitive , meaning they have two objects: a direct object and an indirect object (usually the person for whom the action is being performed).

Dynamic verbs (also called action verbs ) describe specific, temporary actions or events (e.g., “eat,” “sleep,” “write”).

Stative verbs describe a state of being or perception (e.g., “she is,” “it seems,” “they belong”). They can also be used to describe a mental, emotional, or physical state (e.g., “I believe,” “you hear”).

Stative verbs are typically used for a state of being that is general or unchanging, so they can’t be used in the progressive (continuous) tense.

Karl believes in himself.
Karl is believing in himself.

A linking verb (also called a copular verb ) connects the subject of a sentence with a “subject complement” (i.e., a noun or adjective that describes it). Common linking verbs include the verbs “be,” “seem,” “become,” and “feel.”

Most linking verbs can also be used as action verbs, describing a specific action rather than a state (e.g., “Sofie feels the pillow”).

Auxiliary verbs (also called helping verbs ) include verbs such as “be,” “do,” and “have.” They’re used in combination with another (main) verb to modify its meaning. Auxiliary verbs can be used to indicate tense , mood , and voice . They’re also used to form negative statements when used with words such as “not” and “never.”

Auxiliary verbs must be conjugated for tense and person (e.g., “I am,” “she was”).

Did you enjoy the meal?

The door was locked.

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that are used along with another (main) verb to express ability, permission, possibility, necessity, or obligation. The main modal verbs are can , could , may , might , must , ought , shall , should , will , and would . Modal verbs do not change form.

Martin should speak a little louder.

A phrasal verb is a phrase made up of two or more words that acts as an individual verb. Phrasal verbs typically combine a verb with an adverb or preposition to create a meaning independent of the original words. For example, the verb “kick” and the preposition “off” combine to form the phrasal verb “kick off,” which means “begin.”

A gerund is a noun that takes the present participle (“-ing”) form of a verb. Gerunds typically describe the same action as the verb from which they are formed.

If you want to know more about nouns , pronouns , verbs, and other parts of speech , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations and examples.

Nouns & pronouns

Common nouns
Proper nouns
Collective nouns
Personal pronouns
Uncountable and countable nouns
Verb tenses
Sentence structure
Active vs passive voice
Subject-verb agreement
Interjections
Determiners
Prepositions

A verb is a word that indicates a physical action (e.g., “drive”), a mental action (e.g., “think”), or a state of being (e.g., “exist”). Every sentence contains a verb.

Verbs are almost always used along with a noun or pronoun to describe what the noun or pronoun is doing.

There are many ways to categorize verbs into various types. A verb can fall into one or more of these categories depending on how it is used.

Some of the main types of verbs are:

Regular verbs
Irregular verbs
Transitive verbs
Intransitive verbs
Dynamic verbs
Stative verbs

Regular verbs are verbs whose simple past and past participle are formed by adding the suffix “-ed” (e.g., “walked”).

Irregular verbs are verbs that form their simple past and past participles in some way other than by adding the suffix “-ed” (e.g., “sat”).

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What Is a Verb? | Verb Examples & Types

| Danielle McLeod

Danielle McLeod

Danielle McLeod is a highly qualified secondary English Language Arts Instructor who brings a diverse educational background to her classroom. With degrees in science, English, and literacy, she has worked to create cross-curricular materials to bridge learning gaps and help students focus on effective writing and speech techniques. Currently working as a dual credit technical writing instructor at a Career and Technical Education Center, her curriculum development surrounds student focus on effective communication for future career choices.

Verbs are the foundation of every sentence, and there are thousands of verbs you can use. Verbs express actions, connect ideas and create movement. Without verbs, there would be no communication. Verbs can be used to describe physical actions, such as walking or running, or mental actions, such as thinking or feeling.

What Is a Verb? Our Verb Meaning

A verb is a word used to describe the subject’s action, state or occurrence within a sentence.

Verbs are the heart of every language and are used to describe the action or state of someone or something. A verb can express actions or a state of being. In English, verbs are the only word that changes to show whether they are used in the present, past or future tense.

For example:

Paula walked (past) to school every day.
Paula walks (present) to school every day.
Paula will walk (future) to school every day.

Types of Verbs and Verb Examples

Action or Dynamic
Auxiliary or Helping
Intransitive
Ditransitive
Modal auxiliary

Action or Dynamic Verb Examples

An action verb is a verb that explains what action someone or something is performing, has performed or will perform. They are either transitive or intransitive. To determine whether a verb is transitive or intransitive, ask the question “Whom?” or “What?” after the verb.

Action Verbs in a Sentence Examples

Mia danced joyfully under the sparkling disco lights. (intransitive)
He swiftly solved the tricky puzzle, impressing everyone. (transitive)

Transitive Verb Examples

A transitive verb requires an object to receive the action. The object is almost always a noun or pronoun in the sentence and can answer the question “Whom?” or “What?”.

Transitive Verb Sentences

I sang for her while we put away laundry.
He ran a race yesterday.
She plays the piano at home each evening.

Intransitive Verb Examples

An intransitive verb does not have an object and is not directed toward any noun or pronoun in a sentence. You cannot answer the question “Whom?” or “What?” when an intransitive verb is used.

Intransitive Verbs in a Sentence

She plays .

Ditransitive Verb Examples

Ditransitive verbs, also known as bitransitive verbs, have two objects within the sentence that receive the action. The first object is the indirect object since it is indirectly affected by the action. The second object is called the direct object.

Ditransitive Verb Examples Sentences

I gave ( ditransitive ) her ( indirect object ) my study notes ( indirect object ).
The teacher bought ( ditransitive ) the students ( indirect object ) new textbooks ( direct object ) for the upcoming semester.
My friend sent ( ditransitive ) me ( indirect object ) a thoughtful gift ( direct object ) for my birthday.

Physical Verb Examples

A physical verb is a type of action verb that describes a specific motion with your body (such as with your senses) or an action completed with the use of a tool.

Physical Verb Sentence Examples

I hear you need help studying.
She sat in the corner and sulked.
Bobby tasted the soup.

Linking Verb Examples

A linking verb explains the state of a subject to provide details or a description. You must always use a linking verb with a noun, a noun phrase or an adjective. All of the following are linking verbs, but they are not physical verbs.

Any other form of the verb “be”

Linking Verb in a Sentence

He seems happy to be at school today.
I am disappointed with the test results.

Linking verbs that are also physical verbs include any verb that describes the senses, such as sight, smell or taste.

I’m feeling extremely tired.
The yard looks like a mess.

Auxiliary or Helping Verb Examples

Auxiliary verbs are also called helping verbs and are usually used in a functional manner alongside the main verb of a clause. They perform in several different ways, including the expression of tense, time, modality, emphasis, and use of voice to determine the relationship between action and subject.

There are three main helping verbs and all their associated tenses, including the negative form.

Be, being, been, am, is, are, was, were
Do, did, does, done
Have, has, had

Modal auxiliary verbs never change form. These include the following:

May, might, must
Shall, should
Will, would

Examples of Helping and Auxiliary Verbs in Sentences

She had found the solution to the locked safe; unfortunately, we couldn’t get past the alarms. ( helping verb )
I have been watching the weather closely as we get closer to our vacation. ( helping verb )
The team is watching the replay of the last game to see where they can improve. ( helping verb )
The kindergarten class did not like the magician, and three kids cried during the puppet play. ( helping verb )
The hockey team should compete in the U.S. Classic Open tournament, but they are short of teammates due to illness. ( modal auxiliary verb )
We ought to pay more attention to traffic while driving through the city. ( modal auxiliary verb )

Stative Verb Meaning and Examples

Stative verbs express a state or condition, such as an opinion, rather than an action. They are used in a sentence to provide abstract concepts such as:

Beliefs or opinions: to think, disagree, support, know, etc.
Emotions: to like, hate, need, wish, desire, etc.
The senses: to see, hear, look, appear, etc.
Possession: To possess, control, own, have, etc.
Condition: To include, involve, weight, etc.

Stative Verb Example Sentences

Clare hated her hair cut short and couldn’t wait until it grew back.
Benjamin disagreed with his professor and told him why.
Jaime supports his wife’s decision to open her own clinic.

Each of the above examples uses stative verbs to express an opinion or belief in reference to the subject.

Passive Verb Examples

Passive voice verbs allow the subject to be the recipient of the action rather than the one who performs it. They are usually composed of one form of the verb “to be” plus a verb ending in “-ed” or “-en.”

Passive Verb Example Sentences

Many questions were asked during the job interview.
She was denied entrance to the concert.
Dogs were forbidden on the beach.

Phrasal Verb Examples

Phrasal verbs number in the thousands and are among the most difficult since they are made of two or more words and act as a completely new verb with a separate meaning from the original words. Sometimes there is more than one meaning depending on the context of the verb’s usage.

For example, the phrasal verb pick up can mean to grab something or to lift something. Separately, pick and up mean two very different things.

Phrasal Verb Example Sentences

Could you please pick up the pencil I dropped?
Could you pick up a gallon of milk on your way home from the office?
The kids quickly cleaned up their toys after playing in the living room.
Sarah ran into her old friend at the grocery store yesterday.

Reporting Verb Examples

When you use materials that you did not create in your writing, you need to provide credit to your sources. Reporting verbs, also called referring verbs, are action words that indicate your use of another’s materials. You use them to connect in-text quotes, paraphrases and information to their original source.

Reporting Verb Example Sentences

Jennifer’s study indicates that financial changes can be influenced by a deeper political understanding and consequential voting patterns.
Watson concluded that further research on the topic was needed.

Finite Verb Examples

A finite verb is a verb that is conjugated to show agreement with the subject and tense of a sentence.

In English, almost every verb can be used as a finite verb as long as there is a subject, the verb agrees with the subject, and there is a present or past tense. Every sentence has a finite verb; when there is more than one verb, it is almost always defined as the one closest (in order) to the subject.

Finite Verb Example Sentences

Martin works hard for his family. (Present tense, third-person singular)
Ryan had a dentist appointment last Thursday. (Past tense, third-person singular)

Infinitive Verb Examples

An infinitive verb allows a word or group of words to work as a noun, adjective, or adverb and serve to describe an action in general rather than a specific use of action. All verbs can be used in the infinitive form, usually through the addition of the word to before the base form of the verb.

I need to read chapters six through ten for class tonight.

In this sentence, to read creates a discussion of the idea of reading rather than working as an actionable verb.

Tonight, I’ll read chapters six through ten for class.

In this sentence, read describes the action of reading and is not an infinitive form.

There are two types of infinitive verbs: full infinitives and bare infinitives.

Full infinitive examples

Full infinitives are the infinitives that place the word to before the base form of the verb. They are the most common form of infinitive verbs. You do this to:

Show purpose: I’m contacting you to let you know your extended car warranty has expired.
Modify a noun: Do you need something to drink or eat ?
Make the action the subject of the sentence: To love another requires a respectful and honest relationship.
Add context after adjectives: She was incredibly happy to have passed the exam.
Explain why with the words too or enough : We stacked enough wood to last all winter.
Introduce a phrase that starts with a relative pronoun: She doesn’t know how to beat the seventh level of her video game.
Introduce certain verbs: In order to afford the tuition, she will need to receive a scholarship.

Bare infinitive examples

Bare infinitive verbs are also called zero infinitives and are formed without the use of to. These are less common than full infinitives.

Use bare infinitives:

After modal auxiliary verbs: We might be late to class.
After a physical verb: She made him run five laps around the track.
With verbs let, make, and do: You can’t make him behave in class.
With the relative pronoun why : Why wear a jacket on such a hot day?

Expert Tips on Verb Words

As a writer, using verbs to create action and movement in your writing is important. However, there are a few things to avoid when using verbs in your writing.

Use Strong Verbs

First, don’t overuse common verbs such as “to be” or “to have.” These verbs can make your writing sound dull and lifeless.

Second, don’t rely on passive or weak verbs such as “could,” “might” or “should.” These verbs can make your writing sound timid and hesitant.

Third, be careful of using too many -ing verbs. While these verbs can create a sense of forward momentum, they can also make your writing sound choppy and difficult to read.

Finally, don’t forget to use strong verbs that convey emotion and action. Verbs like “scream,” “laugh” and “cry” can add power and impact to your writing.

Use the Active Voice

As a general rule, verbs should be in the active voice. That is, the subject of the sentence should be the one doing the verb. For example, “The cashier counted the money” is in the active voice. “The money was counted by the cashier” is in the passive voice.

But the passive voice can be useful in certain situations. For example, if you want to put emphasis on the person or thing affected by an action, you can use the passive voice.

Also, being in the active voice, verbs should also agree with their subjects in number. For example, “He writes stories” is correct because the subject “he” is singular. “They write stories” is also correct because the subject “they” is plural.

Use Specific Verbs

Many people struggle with writing and don’t know how to improve their skills.

If you’re one of those people, don’t worry — you can do plenty of things to improve your writing skills. My honest advice is to read as much as possible. This will give you a better grasp of the concepts and make spotting them easier.

You’ll learn how to structure sentences and use language effectively by reading. You can also try writing in a variety of different genres so that you can learn to adapt your style to various audiences. Finally, it’s also essential to get feedback on your writing so that you can identify areas that need improvement.

What Are Verbs? Let’s Review

Verbs are an essential part of writing. They can express action, describe a state of being or link words between sentences. Without verbs, writing would be dull and uninteresting.

In addition to adding interest, verbs also help readers understand what is happening in a piece of writing. They can be used to show the order of events, highlight cause-and-effect relationships, and indicate whether something is happening now or in the past.

FAQs on Verb Grammar

Is “on” a verb.

The word on is not a verb. Instead, it can serve as a preposition, an adverb or an adjective.

As a preposition, it serves to state a location or a date. When it serves as an adjective, it modifies a noun. When it works as an adverb, it modifies a verb.

Is “in” a verb?

The word in is not a verb. Instead, it can serve as a noun, a preposition, an adverb or an adjective.

As a noun, the word in is used to mean leverage or an influential ability. When used as a preposition, it expresses a period of time, shows an object within something, indicates a location or instrumentality, or specifies a particular ratio. When it serves as an adverb, it modifies a verb or adjective; as an adjective, it describes a noun or pronoun.

Is “with” a verb?

The word with is not a verb. Instead, the only part of speech it serves is as a preposition.

It is a preposition because it indicates associations and connections between things and people. It also serves to explain where objects are.

What are the three types of verbs?

The three most important verbs to understand are action, linking and phrasal verbs. Almost all verbs fall into these categories in one way or another.

What are the four types of verbs?

Action, linking, auxiliary and passive verbs are important to understand. Almost all verbs are either action or linking verbs. Auxiliary verbs are helping verbs and work alongside other verbs to help determine the relationship between the action and the subject. Passive verbs allow the subject to be the recipient of the action rather than the one who performs it.

What are the two kinds of verbs?

Almost all verbs are linking or action verbs and are important to understand. A linking verb explains the state of a subject to provide details or a description. An action verb is a verb that explains what action someone or something is performing, has performed or will perform.

Auxiliary verbs
Non-finite verbs
Participles
Phrasal verbs

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Digital SAT Reading and Writing

Course: digital sat reading and writing > unit 5, grammar guide: verb forms.

Verb form — Worked example
Practice: verb forms

What are verb forms?

Yesterday, I am running to the lake.
Yesterday, I ran to the lake.

Past	Present	Future
I ran	I run	I will run
I had run	I have run	I will have run
I was running	I am running	I will be running
I had been running	I have been running	I will have been running

How to identify verb form questions

different choices use different verb tenses (past/present/future)
some choices add or remove helping verbs
(Choice A) cover A cover
(Choice B) are covering B are covering
(Choice C) will have covered C will have covered
(Choice D) had covered D had covered

What can make verb form errors difficult to spot?

Complex sentence structures.

Author and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, whose active period spanned from 1925 to 1950, famously writes many different types of literary works, including novels, plays, and essays.
Author and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, whose active period spanned from 1925 to 1950, famously wrote many different types of literary works, including novels, plays, and essays.

Missing helping verbs

Phosphorous, an impurity which can cause steel to be too brittle, commonly found in raw iron ore.
Phosphorous, an impurity which can cause steel to be too brittle, is commonly found in raw iron ore.

Conjugate in context

Match other verbs, simple present tense for general facts.

(Choice A) encompassing A encompassing
(Choice B) to encompass B to encompass
(Choice C) encompasses C encompasses
(Choice D) having encompassed D having encompassed
(Choice A) were occurring A were occurring
(Choice B) occur B occur
(Choice C) are occurring C are occurring
(Choice D) will have occurred D will have occurred
(Choice A) include A include
(Choice B) will include B will include
(Choice C) would include C would include
(Choice D) included D included

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Definition of statement noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Are the following statements true or false?
The article contained several false statements .
He made a rather misleading statement .
Is that a statement or a question?
statement about something I didn't agree with her statement about education.
His bald statement that he'd resigned concealed his anxiety about the situation.
She made one of her sweeping statements about foreigners.
He's made a few controversial statements about the conflict.
He made some ill-considered statements about wanting to take over.
She later retracted her statement that he was a hypocrite.
The leaflet contained many inaccurate statements.
Her statements regarding men were controversial.
He made an obvious statement regarding the dangers of the drug trade.
Your statement implies I had something to do with this.
This statement implied a lack of understanding of the situation.
I had my doubts about the truth of this statement.
The introduction contains some general statements about the book.
The article quotes his statement that ‘It was in Russia that I felt like an exile.’
That's a very bold statement!
Statements like that only inflame the situation.
in a/the statement
statement about
statement on

Take your English to the next level

The Oxford Learner’s Thesaurus explains the difference between groups of similar words. Try it for free as part of the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app

form function example subject + verb... make a statement John likes Mary.

What is the form of a declarative sentence?

The typical form (structure) of a declarative sentence is:

	+
Ram		speaks	Chinese.

The final punctuation is usually a full-stop / period ( . ).

Declarative sentences can be in positive or negative form, and in any tense .

What is the function of a declarative sentence?

The usual function (job) of a declarative sentence is to make a statement. It tells us something or gives information (as opposed to a question which asks us something or wants information).

Look at these examples:

Snow is white.
John was working all night.
Very few people have actually met an alien.

How do we use a declarative sentence?

We use declarative sentences all the time. They are the most common of all sentence types. The three sentences in this paragraph are declarative sentences.

Look at these positive and negative examples:

positive	negative
Two plus two makes four.	Two plus two doesn't make five.
I like coffee.	I do not like coffee.
We watched TV last night.	We didn't watch TV last night.
People will go to Mars in the next decade.	People will never go to Mars.
They have been married for over thirty years.	They haven't lived together for over thirty years.

Other functions with declarative form

It is important to separate form (structure) from function (job).

The form of a declarative sentence is subject-verb.

The function of a declarative sentence is usually to make a statement . But not always! Sometimes it can ask a question , give a command or even express emotion .

The following sentence is in declarative form (it looks like a statement, except for the punctuation) but is actually asking a question (normally done with the interrogative form ):

Anthony likes coffee? (real interrogative form → Does Anthony like coffee? )

This is more common in spoken English than in written English.

Here is another example of a sentence in declarative form . This time it looks like a statement but is actually giving a command (normally done with the imperative form ):

You will now open your books. (real imperative form → Open your books! )

The next sentence is again in declarative form . This time it looks like a statement (except for the punctuation) but is actually making an exclamation (which can also be done with the exclamative form ):

Bangkok was hot! (real exclamative form → How hot Bangkok was! )

Bangkok was hot.	makes a statement
(declarative — subject-verb)...	...	...normally expressed with	...for example
Bangkok was hot?	asks a question	interrogative	Was Bangkok hot?
Bangkok was hot!	expresses emotion	exclamative	How hot Bangkok was!
You will now sit.	issues a command	imperative	Sit!

1. The most frequent sentence type is

2. The declarative form is typically used to

3. Statements usually end with

Your score is:

Correct answers:

Josef Essberger, founder EnglishClub.com

The 4 English Sentence Types
Interrogative Sentence (question)
Imperative Sentence (command)
Exclamative Sentence (exclamation)
4 Sentence Types Quiz

References:

Cambridge Dictionary . Cambridge University Press, 2017
Seely, John. Grammar for Teachers . Oxpecker, 2006
Trask, R.L. Penguin Dictionary of English Grammar . Penguin Reference, 2005

Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Meaning of statement in English

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comment The politician could not be reached for comment.
remark His controversial remarks about race were widely reported.
statement In a statement released earlier today, the team denied allegations of cheating.
declaration The sovereign made a formal declaration of war.
observation She makes some interesting observations about human nature in her book.
commentary I love that sports announcer's commentary - it's always so funny!
account The company's accounts show a loss in the first quarter.
the books I let our accountant do the books.
bank statement I receive a monthly bank statement.
statement The bank sends me a statement every month.
My original statement has been completely distorted by the media .
The statement said there would be no end to the violence until the terrorists ' demands were met .
The statement excited new speculation that a senior minister may be about to resign .
The Palace has issued a statement criticizing the newspaper report .
The Vatican released a statement condemning the recent terrorist attacks .
acquaint someone / yourself with something
annunciation
apprise someone of something
awaken someone to something
propagation
propagative
put something before someone
put something out
self-proclaimed
smoke signal
stake a claim idiom

You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:

floor-length
form-fitting
French tuck
ready-to-wear
voluminously

statement | Intermediate English

Statement | business english, examples of statement, translations of statement.

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a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police

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Infinitive Form of a Verb

What is the infinitive form of a verb.

Table of Contents

Examples of Infinitives as Nouns

Examples of infinitives as adjectives, examples of infinitives as adverbs, bare infinitives (when not preceded by "to"), real-life examples of infinitive verbs, why the infinitive form of a verb is important.

To dance was her passion.
Dancing was her passion.
He likes to hunt .
He likes hunting .
Give him an ornament to polish .
Give him an ornament that he can polish .
I need a volunteer to take the minutes .
I need a volunteer who is prepared to take the minutes .
The officer returned to help .
The officer returned so he could help .
He will complete the mission to set an example .
He will complete the mission so he can set an example .
I need to run every day.
I must run every day.
I run every day.

He should go home.
They might finish by Wednesday.

Mark helped his friend finish .
I watched them bake the bread.
Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy . (Founding Father of USA Benjamin Franklin)
Some guys like to fight on even playing grounds , and some guys like to cheat . (Boxer Deontay Wilder)
Friends give you total freedom to be yourself . (Singer Jim Morrison)
If one is wise, it is a profitable thing to seem foolish . (Greek tragedian Aeschylus)
Sins, like chickens, come home to roost . (Author Charles W. Chesnutt)
To succeed in life , you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone. (Singer Reba McEntire)
He likes to knead the dough slowly .

(Reason 1) Use the infinitive form to name the verb.

The verb to play has the participles playing and played.
In the present tense, to be has the forms "am," "is," and "are."

(Reason 2) Split infinitives are okay.

(reason 3) an infinitive can usually replace "in order to.".

Jack built a metal detector to find gold nuggets.
Jack built a metal detector in order to find gold nuggets.
In order not to offend anybody, in order not to seem to be partisan, the term "terrorist" is virtually outlawed in US-run news agencies. (Journalist Kevin Meyers)
There is no need to actively avoid a split infinitive, which is often the most succinct, accurate, and natural way to convey your thought.
If "in order to" adds no clarity and you're not looking for emphasis on the reason, delete "in order."

This page was written by Craig Shrives .

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	? for ? Here's the word you're looking for. ) To to be a . ) To make . : , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , … : their views on the matter.” ) To provide an official document of a proposition, especially in the UK a Statement of Special Educational Needs. : , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , … : , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , … : , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , …









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Definition of verb

(Entry 1 of 2)

Definition of verb (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

Did you know?

What is a verb ?

Verbs are words that show an action ( sing ), occurrence ( develop ), or state of being ( exist ). Almost every sentence requires a verb. The basic form of a verb is known as its infinitive . The forms call , love , break , and go are all infinitives.

Almost all verbs have two other important forms called participles . Participles are forms that are used to create several verb tenses (forms that are used to show when an action happened); they can also be used as adjectives . The present participle always ends in -ing : calling , loving , breaking , going . (There is also a kind of noun, called a gerund , that is identical in form to the present participle form of a verb.) The past participle usually ends in -ed , but many past participles have irregular endings: called , loved , broken , gone .

The verb's past tense usually has the same -ed form as the past participle. For many verbs, however, the past tense is irregular. An irregular past tense is not always identical to an irregular past participle: called , loved , broke , went .

The two main kinds of verbs, transitive verbs and intransitive verbs , are discussed at the entries for transitive and intransitive .

Examples of verb in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'verb.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Middle English verbe , borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin verbum "word, verb" — more at word entry 1

14th century, in the meaning defined above

1928, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing verb

action verb
auxiliary verb
helping verb
linking verb
modal auxiliary verb
phrasal verb

Articles Related to verb

Words Added to the Scrabble Dictionary

More words for Scrabble

What is a Verb?

8 Grammar Terms You Used to Know, But...

8 Grammar Terms You Used to Know, But Forgot

Plus yodeling

When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes

Dictionary Entries Near verb

veratrylidene

Cite this Entry

“Verb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verb. Accessed 30 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of verb, more from merriam-webster on verb.

Nglish: Translation of verb for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of verb for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about verb

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COMMENTS

statement verb
Definition of statement verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
STATEMENT
STATEMENT definition: 1. something that someone says or writes officially, or an action done to express an opinion: 2. a…. Learn more.
Verb Tenses
Most Common Verb Tenses in Academic Writing. According to corpus research, in academic writing, the three tenses used the most often are the simple present, the simple past, and the present perfect (Biber et al., 1999; Caplan, 2012). The next most common tense for capstone writers is the future; the doctoral study/dissertation proposal at ...
What Is a Verb?
Verbs can indicate (physical or mental) actions, occurrences, and states of being. Examples: Verbs in a sentence. Jeffrey builds a house. Anita is thinking about horses. True love exists. Every sentence must have at least one verb. At the most basic level, a sentence can consist solely of a single verb in the imperative form (e.g., "Run.").
Verbs
Verbs - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary
What Is a Verb?
Our Verb Meaning. A verb is a word used to describe the subject's action, state or occurrence within a sentence. Verbs are the heart of every language and are used to describe the action or state of someone or something. A verb can express actions or a state of being. In English, verbs are the only word that changes to show whether they are ...
What Is A Verb?
What is a Verb? A verb is a word that shows an action ('I will jog to the store'), occurrence ('The bananas ripened overnight'), or state of being ('I have the same right to exist as you'). Almost every sentence requires a verb, or else nothing happens! Transitive Verbs. There are two main kinds of verb: transitive verbs and intransitive verbs. ...
PDF Chapter 2 Verbs and Verb Phrases Introduction
Chapter 2 Verbs and Verb Phrases. Verbs in English can be distinguished by the kinds of marking they can take and by what they can co-occur with. English verbs all function inside verb phrases (VPs). A simple VP consists of a lexical verb acting as the main verb of the VP and anywhere from zero to four auxiliary verbs which are used to mark ...
Verb Phrase: Explanation and Examples
Verb phrases tell us the verb's mood, i.e., whether it is to be regard as a statement, a question, or an order. Mark sings at parties. (This simple verb phrase tells us the verb is a statement, i.e., a verb in the indicative mood.) Sing your song. (This simple verb phrase tells us the verb is an order, i.e., a verb in the imperative mood.)
Grammar guide: Verb forms (article)
Yesterday, I am running to the lake. Correct: Yesterday, I ran to the lake. The verb phrase "am running" is in the present tense and the progressive aspect. However, the sentence tells us the action happened "yesterday", so we should use the past tense and the simple aspect: "ran". Show me more tenses and aspects. Past.
Statement Definition & Meaning
statement: [noun] something stated: such as. a single declaration or remark : assertion. a report of facts or opinions.
statement noun
Synonyms statement statement comment announcement remark declaration observation These are all words for something that you say or write, especially something that gives information or an opinion. statement something that you say or write that gives information or an opinion, often in a formal way:. A government spokesperson made a statement to the press.
Declarative Sentence (statement)
Other functions with declarative form. It is important to separate form (structure) from function (job). The form of a declarative sentence is subject-verb.. The function of a declarative sentence is usually to make a statement.But not always! Sometimes it can ask a question, give a command or even express emotion.. The following sentence is in declarative form (it looks like a statement ...
STATEMENT
STATEMENT meaning: 1. something that someone says or writes officially, or an action done to express an opinion: 2. a…. Learn more.
Infinitive Form of a Verb: Explanation and Examples
An infinitive verb is a verb in its basic form. In other words, it is the version of the verb that appears in the dictionary. The infinitive form of a verb is usually preceded by 'to' (e.g., to run, to think). After certain verbs (e.g., can, might), the 'to' is dropped. It is okay to split an infinitive.
STATEMENT definition and meaning
11 meanings: 1. the act of stating 2. something that is stated, esp a formal prepared announcement or reply 3. law a.... Click for more definitions.
What is the verb for statement?
What's the verb for statement? Here's the word you're looking for. (transitive) To declare to be a fact. (transitive) To make known. "Everyone will have the opportunity to state their views on the matter.". (transitive) To provide an official document of a proposition, especially in the UK a Statement of Special Educational Needs. Find more ...
Verb Definition & Meaning
verb: [noun] a word that characteristically is the grammatical center of a predicate and expresses an act, occurrence, or mode of being, that in various languages is inflected for agreement with the subject, for tense, for voice, for mood, or for aspect, and that typically has rather full descriptive meaning and characterizing quality but is ...