This is a complete and advanced-level theory of Verb designed for UPSC, State PSC, CDS, CAPF, and other high-level competitive exams.
1️⃣ Definition of Verb
A Verb is a word that expresses action, occurrence, or state of being.
It tells:
- What someone does → action
- What happens → occurrence
- What is → state
Examples:
- She runs every morning. (action)
- The event happened yesterday. (occurrence)
- He is honest. (state)
2️⃣ Types of Verbs
(A) Action Verb
Shows physical or mental activity.
- Physical → run, write, eat
- Mental → think, consider, hope
(B) Linking Verb
Connects subject to a noun/adjective (state of being).
- be (am, is, are, was, were), become, seem, appear
Example:
- She is intelligent.
- He became the leader.
(C) Helping / Auxiliary Verb
Used with main verb to form tense, voice, or mood.
- be, have, do, shall, will, can, may, must
Example:
- She is running.
- They have finished their work.
3️⃣ Finite vs Non-Finite Verbs
(A) Finite Verb
Agrees with subject, shows tense, number, person.
- She writes daily.
- They were playing football.
(B) Non-Finite Verb
Does not show person/number/tense.
- Infinitive → to + verb → to read, to write
- Gerund → verb + ing → reading, writing
- Participle → verb used as adjective → running water, written report
4️⃣ Tense and Aspect (Critical for UPSC)
(A) Simple Tenses
- Present → She writes.
- Past → She wrote.
- Future → She will write.
(B) Continuous / Progressive
- Present → She is writing.
- Past → She was writing.
- Future → She will be writing.
(C) Perfect Tense
- Present → She has written.
- Past → She had written.
- Future → She will have written.
(D) Perfect Continuous
- Present → She has been writing.
- Past → She had been writing.
- Future → She will have been writing.
UPSC Tips: Non-finite verbs often appear in complex sentence questions.
5️⃣ Voice (Active / Passive)
(A) Active Voice
Subject performs action.
- The officer submitted the report.
(B) Passive Voice
Subject receives action.
- The report was submitted by the officer.
Rules:
- Object of active → Subject of passive
- Verb changes (be + past participle)
- Tense remains consistent
Example:
- Active → The government announced a scheme.
- Passive → A scheme was announced by the government.
6️⃣ Mood of Verb (UPS Level)
(A) Indicative → statement of fact
- She writes daily.
(B) Imperative → command / request
- Submit the report.
(C) Subjunctive → wish, suggestion, hypothetical
- I suggest that he be present.
- If I were you, I would study hard.
7️⃣ Modal Verbs (Advanced)
Express necessity, possibility, probability, permission, ability.
- can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, ought to
Rules:
- Followed by base form of main verb.
- Do not change with tense (use auxiliary to indicate tense).
Examples:
- She can write well.
- He must be present.
- You should have submitted the form.
8️⃣ Phrasal Verbs (UPSC / PSC Focus)
Verb + preposition/adverb → new meaning
- take off → depart
- look into → investigate
- bring about → cause
- put up with → tolerate
UPSC Tip: Often appear in comprehension or idiomatic error detection.
9️⃣ Subject–Verb Agreement (Critical)
- Verb agrees with subject in number and person.
Rules:
- Singular subject → singular verb
- Plural subject → plural verb
- Collective noun → depends on context (unit vs members)
- Indefinite pronouns (everyone, someone) → singular
- Either…Or / Neither…Nor → agree with nearest subject
Examples:
- The team is winning. (unit)
- Either the minister or the officers are responsible.
🔟 Causative Verb Construction
- Subject causes action by someone else:
have / get + object + past participle
✔ She had the documents signed.
✔ I got my car repaired.
1️⃣1️⃣ Transitive vs Intransitive Verbs
- Transitive → takes object → She wrote a letter.
- Intransitive → no object → He sleeps.
Some verbs can be both depending on sentence.
- She runs. (intransitive)
- She runs a company. (transitive)
1️⃣2️⃣ Advanced Verb Errors in UPSC
- Wrong tense sequence
- ❌ She had wrote the report.
- ✔ She had written the report.
- Wrong subject–verb agreement
- ❌ Everyone have submitted the form.
- ✔ Everyone has submitted the form.
- Passive voice mistakes
- ❌ The report was submit by the officer.
- ✔ The report was submitted by the officer.
- Modal + perfect errors
- ❌ He should wrote the letter.
- ✔ He should have written the letter.
1️⃣3️⃣ Non-Finite Verbs in UPSC Sentences
- Infinitive → to + verb → I want to study.
- Gerund → verb + ing → Studying is important.
- Participle → verb as adjective → Written reports are submitted.
UPSC often tests correct usage with tenses and aspect.
1️⃣4️⃣ Common Verb Confusions
| Wrong | Correct | Note |
|---|---|---|
| He done it. | He has done it. | Present perfect |
| He is writing since 2 PM. | He has been writing since 2 PM. | Perfect continuous |
| She suggested me to go. | She suggested that I go. | Subjunctive mood |
| Must to go | Must go | Modal + base verb |
🎯 What UPSC / PSC Tests in Verbs
- Tense and aspect accuracy
- Subject–verb agreement
- Voice transformation
- Mood (subjunctive)
- Modal verbs + perfect construction
- Phrasal verbs
- Non-finite verb forms