Verbs – Types, Definition & Examples

1. Definition of Verb

A verb is a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being in a sentence.

  • Example:
    • I run every morning.
    • मैं हर सुबह दौड़ता हूँ
    • She is a teacher.
    • वह एक शिक्षक है

2. Types of Verbs with Examples

Type of VerbDefinitionExample (English)Example (Hindi)
Action VerbShows an action performed by the subjectrun, write, play, eatदौड़ना, लिखना, खेलना, खाना
Linking VerbConnects the subject to a description or stateis, am, are, was, were, seem, becomeहै, हूँ, हैं, था, थे, लगता है, बनना
Auxiliary Verb (Helping Verb)Helps the main verb to form tense, voice, or moodis, am, are, was, were, have, has, had, do, does, didहै, हूँ, हैं, था, थे, किया, करती है, किया था
Modal VerbShows possibility, ability, permission, or obligationcan, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, mustसकता, सकता था, हो सकता है, चाहिए, होगा, होगा क्या

Helping Verbs (Auxiliary Verbs)

Helping verbs, also called auxiliary verbs, are words that work along with a main verb to give more information about an action or state of being. They help show tense, time, possibility, necessity, or emphasis in a sentence.

What Is a Helping Verb?

A helping verb comes before the main verb and supports it. The main verb shows the action, while the helping verb adds extra meaning.

Example:

  • She is reading a book.
    (is = helping verb, reading = main verb)

Common Helping Verbs

Helping verbs fall into three main groups:

1. Forms of Be

Used to show ongoing actions or states of being.

  • am, is, are, was, were

Example:

  • They are playing outside.

2. Forms of Have

Used to show completed actions.

  • has, have, had

Example:

  • He has finished his homework.

3. Forms of Do

Used to form questions, negatives, or add emphasis.

  • do, does, did

Example:

  • Did you call your friend?

Modal Helping Verbs

Modal verbs show possibility, ability, permission, or obligation.

  • can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must

Example:

  • You should study for the test.

Helping Verb vs Main Verb

  • Main Verb: Shows the action or state
    She sings.
  • Helping Verb: Helps the main verb
    She is singing.

Some verbs (like is, have, do) can be main verbs or helping verbs, depending on how they are used in a sentence.


Why Are Helping Verbs Important?

Helping verbs make sentences clearer by:

  • Showing when an action happens
  • Forming questions and negatives
  • Expressing possibility or obligation

Practice Exercise

Underline the helping verb in each sentence:

  1. She is writing a story.
  2. They have completed the project.
  3. We can solve this problem.

(Answers: is, have, can)