Types of Verbs in English Grammar: A Complete Guide for ESL Learners

What Are Verbs?

Verbs are the heart of every English sentence.

They tell us what is happening or what someone is doing. Without verbs, we can’t describe actions, feelings, or states — so mastering verbs is essential for fluent English!

💡 Tip for learners: When you read or listen in English, try to spot the verbs — they’ll help you understand the main idea of any sentence.

1. Action Verbs (Dynamic Verbs)

Action verbs show what someone or something does. They can describe physical or mental actions.

Examples:

• She runs every morning.

• I wrote a letter yesterday.

• They think about the future.

👉 Quick Practice: Can you find the action verbs?

e.g. “Tom drives to work and listens to music.”

✅ Answer: drives, listens

📚Related Reading:

Action Verbs in the Kitchen - Learn English Through Recipes

Read 👉Fluffy Pancake Recipes for ESL Learners: Cook and Learn English

Next Step: Test yourself with our Verb Types Worksheet or watch the Grammar Made Simple video on verbs 🎥

2. Linking Verbs (State Verbs)

Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to more information. They don’t show action, but describe a state or condition.

Common linking verbs: be, seem, become, appear, look, feel, sound, taste, smell

Examples:

• She is tired.

• The soup tastes delicious.

• He became a teacher.

💬 Grammar Tip: You can’t use linking verbs in the continuous form

(❌ She is being tired → ✅ She is tired).

Related Reading:

📘 Story: “The Mirror in the Attic” – Linking Verbs and Descriptions

Great for understanding how ‘be, look, seem, feel’ describe states.

3. Auxiliary Verbs (Helping Verbs)

Auxiliary verbs help the main verb form tenses, questions, or negatives. They don’t have meaning on their own but give grammatical support.

Main auxiliary verbs: be, do, have

Examples:

• She is studying English.

• I do not like coffee.

• They have finished their work.

💡 Tip:

Remember, auxiliaries often appear in questions:

“Do you like sushi?” “Have you seen this movie?”

Read:👉 Difference: Have vs Have Got - How to Use + Example Uses

📘 Story: A Visit to the Pharmacy: Essential Phrases & Vocbulary

4. Modal Verbs

Modal verbs express ability, possibility, permission, or necessity.They always go with the base form of another verb.

Common modals: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would

Examples:

• You should study regularly.

• She can speak three languages.

• It might rain later.

💬 Grammar Tip: Modal verbs never add -s for third person.

(❌ He cans swim → ✅ He can swim)

▶️ Modal Verbs in Everyday English

📘 Story:👉 “The Mysterious Package” – Practice Modal Verbs

A suspenseful short story using “must,” “should,” and “might.”

📘Story:👉“The Wishful Traveller” – Modal Verbs (Second Conditional)

An inspiring travel story using could, would, and might.

5. Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

These describe how verbs work with objects in a sentence.

Transitive verbs need an object:

• She reads a book.

• I love chocolate.

Intransitive verbs do not take an object:

• He sleeps early.

• They arrived late.

💡 Easy Trick: Ask “what?” or “whom?” after the verb. If you can answer, it’s transitive!

Related Reading:

📖 Read: The Present Simple - Routines, Habits & Everyday English With Emma

🎥 👉10 Common English Mistakes Learners Make & How to Fix Them

6. Regular and Irregular Verbs

Regular verbs add -ed in the past tense. Irregular verbs change form completely.

Base	Past	Example
walk	walked	She walked to school.
play	played	They played football.
go	went	He went home.
eat	ate	We ate dinner early.

🎯 Learning tip:

Create flashcards for irregular verbs and group them by pattern (e.g. go–went, know–knew, show–showed).

📚Related Reading:

📖 Read: The Past Simple: How to Use & Example Sentences

🎥 👉 Learn Past Tenses Through Stories - A Fun Family Tale

7. Phrasal Verbs (for Everyday English!)

Phrasal verbs are verbs + prepositions or adverbs that create new meanings.

Examples:

• turn on (start something): Please turn on the lights.

• look after (take care of): She looks after her little brother.

• give up (stop trying): Don’t give up!

💬 ESL Tip: Phrasal verbs are super common in spoken English — learning a few each week helps you sound more natural!

Read 👉 Learn Phrasal Verbs Through Fun Story: The Surprise in the Box

🎥 Phrasal Verbs for Daily Life

Real-life situations: getting ready, commuting, and relaxing.👉 Watch & Practice

🌈 Summary Chart

Type of Verb	Function	Example
Action Verb	Shows action	She runs fast.
Linking Verb	Describes state	He is happy.
Auxiliary Verb	Helps main verb	They are watching TV.
Modal Verb	Expresses mood	You should study.
Transitive Verb	Has an object	I read a book.
Intransitive Verb	No object	She sleeps early.
Regular Verb	Adds -ed	played
Irregular Verb	Changes form	went
Phrasal Verb	Verb + preposition	look after

🧩 Mini Quiz for Students

A. Identify the Type of Verb

1. She looks beautiful.

2. They played football yesterday.

3. You must wear a helmet.

4. He put on his jacket.

5. I am reading a book.

   
   

🩷 Answers:

1 – Linking Verb

2 – Action Verb (Regular)

3 – Modal Verb

4 – Phrasal Verb

5 – Auxiliary + Main Verb

💬 Final Tip for ESL Learners

Start by focusing on action and linking verbs first.

Then, as you get comfortable, add auxiliary and modal verbs to your speaking and writing. You’ll sound more natural and confident every day!

📥 Free Worksheet

👉 Download our free “Verb Types Practice Worksheet” to test your understanding with matching, fill-in-the-blank, and sentence correction activities. (Perfect for Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate learners!)

📝 Worksheet: Types of Verbs in English Grammar

Part A – Match the Type of Verb to Its Description

No.	Type of Verb	Description
1.	Action Verb	a. A verb that connects the subject to a description or state.
2.	Linking Verb	b. A verb that expresses possibility, permission, or necessity.
3.	Auxiliary Verb	c. A verb that shows what someone or something does.
4.	Modal Verb	d. A verb that helps the main verb form questions or tenses.

Part B – Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct verbs. Choose from the box below:(can, is, play, tastes, have, go, should, turn on)

1. She ________ tired after work.

2. I ________ football every Sunday.

3. You ________ eat more vegetables.

4. He ________ swimming every morning.

5. The soup ________ delicious.

6. Please ________ the lights.

7. They ________ finished their homework.

8. I ________ speak three languages.

Part C – Identify the Verb Type

Read the sentences. Write the type of verb in the space.

(Choose from: Action, Linking, Auxiliary, Modal, Phrasal)

1. She looks happy. → ____________

2. We are studying for the exam. → ____________

3. He gave up smoking last year. → ____________

4. You must wear a seatbelt. → ____________

5. They run every morning. → ____________

Part D – Spot the Error

Each sentence has one mistake. Rewrite it correctly.

1. ❌ She can sings very well.

   ✅ _______________________________________

2. ❌ They is happy today.

   ✅ __________________________________________

   
   

3. ❌ He don’t like coffee.

   ✅ __________________________________________

   
   

4. ❌ We are play tennis now.

   ✅ __________________________________________

   
   

5. ❌ The cake smells deliciously.

   ✅ __________________________________________

Part E – Challenge! Create Your Own Sentences

Write one original sentence for each type of verb below.Try to make them true or funny! 😄

Type	Your Sentence
Action Verb	___________________________
Linking Verb	___________________________
Auxiliary Verb	___________________________
Modal Verb	___________________________
Phrasal Verb	___________________________

✏️ Answer Key: 

A: 1–c, 2–a, 3–d, 4–b

B:

1. is (linking)

2. play (action)

3. should (modal)

4. goes (action)

5. tastes (linking)

6. turn on (phrasal)

7. have (auxiliary)

8. can (modal)

C:

1. Linking

2. Auxiliary + Action

3. Phrasal

4. Modal

5. Action

D:

1. She can sing very well.

2. They are happy today.

3. He doesn’t like coffee.

4. We are playing tennis now.

5. The cake smells delicious.

👩🏻‍🏫 Teacher / Self-Study Tip

After completing the worksheet:

✅ Read your sentences aloud and record yourself.

✅ Listen and check if your verbs sound natural.

✅ Try to use these verbs in a short story or conversation this week!

Related Posts:

🔗Check out the links below ⬇️

🔔 Practice More:Want to improve your listening and speaking skills?

📌Check out related Grammar and Quiz videos:

🎥 YouTube Channel Playlist

🔗English Tenses Made Simple: Lessons & Stories

🔗Learn Grammar Through Engaging Stories

🔗Grammar Challenge - Test Your English Skills 

Watch and Learn!  For more ESL reading and listening practice video lessons, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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Thank you for reading and Happy Learning!