Verbs are fundamental building blocks of language, yet the common definition of verbs as simply “action words” can be misleading. While many verbs do describe actions, this definition doesn’t capture the full scope of what verbs are and how they function in sentences. To truly understand verbs, we need to move beyond this simplistic view and explore a more comprehensive and functional definition.
Moving Past “Action Words”: Why a Broader Definition Matters
It’s often taught that verbs are words that express action. Think of words like run, jump, write, or sing. These are clearly actions, and indeed, they are verbs. However, this definition becomes problematic when we consider verbs like be, have, seem, wait, or exist. Do these words always describe actions in the same way as run or jump? Not really. They express states of being, possession, or conditions, which are different from pure actions.
Conversely, many words describe actions but are not verbs themselves. Consider nouns like action, performance, or explosion. These words are packed with action, but they function as nouns, naming things, not expressing actions within a sentence in the way a verb does. Even the word “verb” itself is a noun, not a verb in this context!
Alt text: Diagram illustrating the functional definition of a verb, emphasizing tense as the key characteristic, and contrasting it with the less accurate “action word” definition.
The Real Key: Verbs and Tense
So, if “action words” isn’t the best way to define verbs, what is? A more accurate and functionally useful definition is that verbs are words that can show tense. Tense is a grammatical category that expresses time, primarily past, present, and future. This ability to change form to indicate tense is unique to verbs and sets them apart from all other parts of speech.
Let’s look at how verbs demonstrate tense. We can change verbs to indicate past tense, often by adding -ed to regular verbs: wait becomes waited. For present tense, we often add -s to the base form for third-person singular subjects: wait becomes waits. And for future tense, we use auxiliary or “helping” verbs like will before the base verb: will wait.
Even verbs that don’t express much “action” in their meaning clearly show tense. Consider the verb be. In the past tense, be becomes was or were. In the present tense, it becomes is, am, or are. And in the future, it becomes will be. These changes in form are all expressions of tense, solidifying be as a verb.
Irregular verbs, which don’t follow the standard -ed rule for past tense, also show tense, just in different ways. Have changes to had in the past, not haved. Go becomes went, not goed. Despite these irregular forms, the change in the word indicates a shift in time, confirming they are indeed verbs demonstrating tense.
Alt text: Chart showcasing various examples of verbs, highlighting their different forms in present, past, and future tenses, including both regular and irregular verb conjugations.
Verbs: A Dynamic and Evolving Word Class
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. Words can evolve and shift their grammatical function over time.
Think about words like “Google” or “text.” Not long ago, “Google” was primarily known as the name of a search engine, a noun. “Text” referred to written words, also a noun. However, these nouns have “verbed” over time. We now commonly use them to describe actions: “I googled the answer” or “I texted my friend.” We can even put them in different tenses: “He will text you later.” This ability to show tense transforms these nouns into verbs, reflecting the dynamic nature of language.
This “verbification” of nouns is a powerful way our language expands and adapts. We can create vivid and contemporary verbs from existing words, like “I trapezed across the room” or “Let’s action this plan immediately.” While these might sound unconventional at first, grammatically, they work because we can apply tense to them.
Understanding verbs through their functional ability to show tense provides a much more robust and adaptable framework than simply relying on the “action word” definition. It allows us to recognize verbs in all their forms and appreciate the ever-evolving nature of this crucial part of speech. By grasping this functional definition, we unlock a deeper understanding of grammar and enhance our ability to use language effectively.
