Classification Of Main Verbs

Ever wondered about something like what is a main verb? Verbs display the action which takes place in a sentence. They are sufficiently easy to identify if a sentence only contains one verb, but how can you identify the main verb in a lengthy sentence? The thing is that a main verb includes most verbs. A main verb also known as lexical verb refers to the actions words in a sentence (main/independent clause). You have learnt about the main verb definition. Now let’s check a few examples of the main verb.

Main verb Examples

What do you like most about your favorite Television program - the script, the character, and the set up, the special effects? Most television shows have a main character - the person or any entity who takes the lead. But if you only have the main character, all you have is a movie poster - nothing really happens. You require action to make an excellent show.

Types Of Main Verbs

A Main verb consists of meaning on its own (as opposed to helping verbs). There are thousands of main verbs, and we can categorize them in different ways such as:

1. Transitive and intransitive verbs

A transitive verb takes into consideration a direct object: Somebody kidnapped the Prime Minister. An intransitive verb does not contain a direct object: He got kidnapped. Many verbs, such as speak, can be either transitive or intransitive. Take a look at the below examples:

• Transitive Verbs:

• I saw a tiger

• We are watching a movie

• She speaks French

• Intransitive Verbs:

• She has died

• Maria goes to college

• He writes fast

2. Linking Verbs

A linking verb does not contain much of a meaning in itself. It "links" the subject to what is being referred to the subject. Generally, a linking verb is an indication of equality (=) or a change to a different place or state (→). Linking verbs are consistently intransitive (however, not all intransitive verbs are termed as linking verbs).

• John is an actor (John = actor)

• Clovia is pretty (Clovia = pretty)

• That appears captivating (That = captivating)

• The sky became clear (The sky → clear)

• The apple has gone rotten (Apple → rot)

3. Dynamic and Stative verbs

Some verbs define action and those are called "dynamic". These verbs can be used with continuous tenses. Other verbs define state (non-action, a circumstance). They are known as "stative", and cannot usually be used with continuous tenses (though some of them can be used with continuous tenses with alteration in meaning). Following are the examples of dynamic and stative verbs.

• Dynamic Verbs

•  hit, escalate, fight, run, go

• stative verbs

•  Be

• love, like, wish, prefer

•  impress, surprise, please

• sound, see, hear

•  need, include, contain, consist of, belong to

• seem, appear, resemble

4. Regular and irregular verbs

This is more a matter of vocabulary than of grammar. The only real distinguishing factor between regular verbs and irregular verbs is that they have dissimilar endings for their past tense and past participle forms. With respect to the regular verbs, the past tense ending and past participle ending will always be the same: -ed. However, in the case of irregular verbs, the past tense ending and the past participle ending is variable, so it is necessary to learn them by heart.

• Regular Verbs

• Irregular Verbs

5. Catenative Verbs

A catenative verb is that type of a main verb which can be followed directly by another main verb. In the following sentences, want, help, like are catenative.

•  I want to see my friend

• She helped clean the kitchen

• I like eating ice cream

Main Verbs And Helping Verbs

When talking about Main Verbs vs. Helping Verbs, then we should know that  main verbs in a sentence completes the action alone. That is, they do not need additional verbs in order to communicate action.

On the other hand, Helping verbs do not stand alone. They are required to be paired with main verbs subject to communicative action. Helping verbs change the meaning and the verb tense.

Examples Of Main Verb And Helping Verb

He helped Maria

In this example sentence, “helped” indicates the main verb. The subject, “He,” is fulfilling the action. This is the actually the only verb in this sentence; it is also represented as the verb of the main clause.

I was helping Sam.

In the above example, “helping” indicates the main verb. The subject, “He,” is fulfilling the action. But, “helping” is not the only verb in this sentence. The helping verb, “was,” is completing the verb phrase. 

Main Verb And Auxiliary Verb

While a main verb expresses an event, action, or state, an Auxiliary verbs – Also referred to as “helper verbs,” express different tenses and grammatical moods.