Verb

A verb is a word that typically functions as the main word to express the idea of a sentence. The idea of a sentence is the "predicate."

Therefore we can call the verb the "predicate nucleus", "core", or "core idea" of a sentence or clause.

Verbs do more than indicate an action, so the definition of a verb as an "action word" is inadequate and misleading. Instead, it is better to think of a verb as "the meaning of the predicate." However, that, too, is inadequate, as verbs do many other things than to express the idea of a sentence. So it is necessary to see verbs within their different categories.

Verbs also indicate

Tense

(past, present, future)

• They walk (simple present)
• They walked (simple past)
• They will walk (future)

Aspect

(indicates duration, completion, repetition, frequency, and temporal context)

• aspect is usually shaped by "auxiliary verbs"
  • They have walked (present perfect)
  • The had walked (past perfect)
  • They are walking (progressive)
  • They will have been walking (future perfect progressive)
  • They would walk (modal or conditional aspect)
• simple present can operation as an "aspect"
  • They walk to work (indicating regular or habitual action)
• Adverbs and adverbial phrases or clauses can add aspect to a verb, such as
  • They have walked in the rain (temporal relevancy)
  • They often walk (repetition or habit)
  • They would walk

Mood

(indicates the relation between the subject and the verb)

• indicative = "indicates" or something about the subject
  • She sings beautifully
  • The store has great deals
• imperative = a command or instruction
  • Sing that song again!
• subjunctive = expresses a hypothetical or necessity (can use "modal verbs")
  • I suggested that she sing another song
  • If I had her talent, I might sing, too
    • see Subjunctive mood (grammatical verb form)
• conditional = expresses potential or dependent events (uses "modal verbs")
  • She suggested he could arrive early.
  • Had he had arrived earlier, he would have gotten a better seat
  • If he was more honest, I would hire him

Main or "lexical" verb

Main verbs are the core of the predicate that express an action, occurrence, or state of existence

Verb	Action	Occurence	State of existence
play	They play soccer		They play hard

Finite verbs

Are verbs that "conjugate" with "subject-verb matching."

Finite verbs therefore have a subject.

Copular verbs

Auxiliary verbs

Modal verbs