Verb

Verb
is a word or words that describe the action or state of being of the subject of a sentence or clause. A verb makes s statement about its subject

ex.
Mrs. Jefferson loves her son.
Football players strive for excellence.

Predicate
In a clause or sentence, the predicate is the verb plus its modifiers and objects or complements. When a verb has no modifiers, no objects, and no complements, the predicate is termed a simple predicate. Two verbs that have a single subject are termed a compound predicate.

ex.
The car stalled. (Simple predicate)

The sun shone brilliantly.(Predicate consisting of a verb and its modifiers)

He read the book.(Predicate consisting of a verb and its objects)

They are renegades. (Predicate consisting of a verb and its compliments)

Emma cooks and bakes. (Compound predicate)

Transitive and Intransitive Verb
A transitive verb must have a direct object. An intransitive verb does not have a direct object. Some verbs function transitively and intransitively.

ex.
We devoured dinner.(The verb devoured is transitive, since it has a direct object, dinner)

They studied for many hours.(The verb studied is intransitive, since it lacks a direct object.)

The tree grew for many years even though concrete covered its roots.(The verb grew is intransitive, since it lacks a direct object. The verb covered is transitive, since it has a direct object, roots)

My neighbor grows azaleas.(The verb grows is transitive,since it has a direct object,azaleas.)

Linking Verbs
A linking, or copulative, verb does not take an object. Rather, such a verb joins a subject with its complement. The complement is either a predicate noun or predicate adjective:

ex.
Today I am a man.(The linking verb am link I with man, a predicate noun.)

Now it tastes good.(The linking verb tastes links it with good,a predicate adjective)

The most common linking verbs are be,seem,appear,become,feel,taste,act,sound,and grow.Some of these linking verbs,for example,feel and taste,may also be used transitively:

ex.
I felt ill during dinner.(The linking verb felt links I with ill,a predicate adjective)

I felt the fabric.(The verb felt is transitive,with fabric as its direct objects.)

The cast acted depressed.(The linking verb acted links cast with depressed,a predicate adjective.)

The cast acted the play professionally.(The verb acted is transitive, with play as its direct object.)

Auxiliary Verbs
are used with other verbs to form the tenses, voices, and moods of those verbs. The most common auxiliary verbs are be, do, and have. Less common auxiliary verbs are can, may, will, shall, must, ought, might, could, should, and would. Auxiliary verbs alter the meaning or time of the action of the verb.

Ex.
I am going, I do go, I have gone, I ought to go, I might go, I could go, I should go.
I may go to the rally.(A possibility of action.)
I shall go to the rally.(An intention to undertake a future action.)
I will go to the rally.(Firm intention to undertake a future action.)

Shall and Will
Use shall in the first person (I, We) in asking questions.

Ex.
Shall I leave munch money for you?
Shall we leave the party now?

Use shall in all persons for emphatic statements

Ex
I shall do no such thing
We shall be moved
You shall not be allowed to run for office
They shall not pass!

Use shall in the first person to express future actions or expectations.

Ex
I shall miss the first act because I have to work late.
In all probability, we shall meet you at the gallery.


Use will in the second and third person(you; he, she, it, they) in asking question.

Ex.
Will you join us at the reception?
Will he have enough information for the report?
Will she approve the report when it is in final form?
Will it be the last house we look at?
Will they be willing to fund your work?

Use will in the second and third persons to express future action or expectations.

Ex.
They will manage all right on their own.
You will have a dinner with us as usual, I expect.


Should and Would
Use should to express an obligation or condition

Ex.
I should repaint the living room without charge. (Obligation)
You should pay more attention to your children. (Obligation)
They should leave the apartment in good order. (Obligation)
If we should cut them off without a penny, they may have to go on public assistance.(Condition)
If they should see no merit in the idea, our fellowships will be withdrawn. (Condition)

Use would to express a wish or customary action.

Ex
Would that we had spent more time with him. (Wish)
Would that you had spent your money more wisely. (Wish)
You would always remember to call on Father’s day. (Customary action)
They would turn down any invitation that did not include a full meal. (Customary action)


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