Most people are initially taught that verbs are simply “action words.” While this definition serves as a basic starting point, it doesn’t fully capture the essence of what verbs truly are. This guide will explore the definition of a verb, moving beyond the simplistic “action word” concept to a more functional and accurate understanding.
The common notion of verbs as action words can be misleading. Consider words like “is,” “seem,” “have,” or “become.” These are all verbs, yet they don’t describe actions in the same way that “run,” “jump,” or “write” do. Conversely, many words that describe actions, such as “action,” “movement,” or “explosion,” are nouns, not verbs. This is why relying solely on meaning to identify verbs can be insufficient.
A more precise and functional definition of a verb lies in its grammatical role within a sentence. Verbs possess a unique characteristic: they are the only word class that can show tense. This ability to express time – past, present, and future – is the defining feature of a verb.
Think about how we use verbs. We can shift them to the past tense, typically by adding “-ed” (e.g., “wait” becomes “waited”). We can use them in the present tense, often by adding “-s” for third-person singular (e.g., “wait” becomes “waits”). And we can express future tense by using auxiliary verbs like “will” (e.g., “will wait”). This ability to change form to indicate tense is what truly distinguishes verbs from other parts of speech.
This definition holds true even for irregular verbs. Irregular verbs don’t follow the standard “-ed” rule for past tense, but they still demonstrate tense through changes in their spelling. For instance, “have” changes to “had,” not “haved,” and “go” becomes “went,” not “goed.” These changes, though irregular, are still indicators of tense, confirming that these words are indeed verbs.
One fascinating aspect of verbs is that they belong to an “open word class.” This means that new verbs are constantly being added to our language. In recent years, words like “Google” and “text” have transitioned into verbs. Originally nouns, referring to a search engine and a form of written message respectively, they are now commonly used to describe actions. We say “I googled the answer” or “I texted my friend,” demonstrating our ability to apply tense to these words (“googled,” “texted”). Essentially, we “verb” nouns, constantly expanding the verb category.
This dynamic nature of language highlights why the functional definition of a verb—its ability to show tense—is far more robust and accurate than simply labeling them as “action words.” Language is ever-evolving, rich, and adaptable. While the concept of “action words” can be a helpful starting point, understanding verbs through their function of showing tense provides a deeper and more reliable grasp of this essential part of speech. By focusing on function, we can accurately identify verbs, even as our language continues to grow and change.
