the verb in a sentence

Some students need clarification about the verb in a sentence.

The verb is the second most important element in a sentence.

We cannot make any sentence without a verb.

Some students ask me if the verb in a sentence has only one word or more.

Let me make them clear about it. The verb in Simple Sentences

The verb in a sentence may be one word. It may be of more than

one word, say, two, three, four and five.


Examples:

1. He goes to school daily. Here the verb is 'goes', which is one one-word verb word.
2. He is going to school at present. Here the verb is ‘is going’=two words.
3. He has been going to school for the last two years. The verb is ‘has been going’=three words.
4. He has not been going to school for the last two years.

The verb is ‘has not been going’= four words.

It shall not have been raining for two hours tomorrow at this time. The verb ‘shall not have been raining’ = five words.

Thus it may be said that the verb may contain more than one word.

The verb in Negative & Interrogative sentences




Note the verbs in the following sentences.

1. I do not like to sleep at noon.
2. Have you completed your work?
3. Why are you misbehaving with her?
4. How many flowers do you want for the garlands?
5. Where do you live these days?

·The verb in the first sentence is: ‘do not like’
·The verb in the second sentence is ‘have completed’
·The verb in the third sentence is: ‘are misbehaving’
The verb in the fourth sentence is: ‘do want’
· The verb in the fifth sentence is: ‘do live’

The verb in complex and compound sentences
·A complex sentence usually has one main clause and one subordinate clause.
·A compound sentence also usually has two
co-ordinate clauses.
So it is not difficult to find the verb in complex and compound sentences
Note the verbs in the following sentences.

See the underlined words:
1. Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones at others.
2. God helps those who help themselves.
3. When I saw him stealing, he ran away at once.
4. If you work hard, you will pass.
5. He did not go to the office because he was not feeling well.
6. I like neither tea nor coffee.
In the above sentences, the underlined word/words are the verbs.

Exercise: Now pick up the verb from the following sentences.

1. People often believe in superstitions despite their education.
2. The birds are flying very high in the sky.
3. The storm has destroyed all the crops this year.
4. Many people love befooling others.
5. I have my own style of life.
6. Are all the guests dining at present in the hall?
7. Why are you pestering your teacher?
8. Whom do you want to talk to?
9. Have you been living in this hut for many years?
10. I like their way of life.
11. 1 When he reached the station, the train had left.
12. All that ends well is well.
13. Rome was not built in a day.
14. What cannot be cured must be endured.
15. East or West, home is the best.
16. Hardly had I reached home when it started raining heavily.
17. There was none but wept.
18. She is my favourite teacher.
19. I have nothing to explain.
20. Do it at once.

Questions:
Q1. Can we make a sentence without a verb?

Q2. Explain that the verb in a sentence may have more than one word. Give examples of the verb phrase having two, three, four and five words.