Verbs
Verbs indicate action or state of being in sentences.
Example 1: Batman drives the Batmobile.
Example 2: Natasha is a spy.
The first example describes what Batman is doing, and the second example describes
Natasha’s state, or what she is always doing. Being a spy is her profession, so it is a state she is
always in that verbs can help describe.
Verbs can also be in different tenses.
Example 1: Thor throws the hammer.
Example 2: Thor threw the hammer.
The first example shows what Thor is currently doing,
while the second example shows what he already did.
Often there are multiple verbs in a sentence, or even entire
verb phrases including helping verbs.
Example 1: Thor jumped and caught the hammer.
Example 2: Thor was throwing the hammer at his
brother.
In the second example, the helping verb “was” is a part of the entire verb phrase “was
throwing.”
Adverbs
Like adjectives, adverbs are used to modify. However instead of modifying nouns, adverbs
modify verbs. Adverbs describe how verbs, or actions, were done.
Helping Verbs
Helping Verbs, as the name suggests, help to extend the meaning of verbs already used in a
sentence. Sometimes an action verb requires further context or meaning.
Example 1: Beyoncé is singing.
Example 2: Beyoncé was singing.
In the first example, “is” shows what action Beyoncé currently performs. The second
example shows the same, put in past tense. Other examples of helping verbs are: am, as, are,
were, been, be, can, has, shall, will, do, does, did, have, should, may, might, being, would,
must, could, and had.
Example 1: Beyoncé sang beautifully.
Example 2: The crowd screamed loudly.