Types of Verbs to have:

Before you begin the verb tense lessons, it is extremely I have a dollar now. Non-Continuous Verb
important to understand that NOT all English verbs are I possess a dollar.
the same. English verbs are divided into three groups: I am having fun now. Normal Verb
Normal Verbs, Non-Continuous Verbs, and Mixed Verbs. I am experiencing fun now.
Group I Normal Verbs to hear:
Most verbs are "Normal Verbs." These verbs are usually She hears the music. Non-Continuous Verb
physical actions which you can see somebody doing. She hears the music with her ears.
These verbs can be used in all tenses. She is hearing voices. Normal Verb
Normal Verbs She hears something others cannot hear. She
to run, to walk, to eat, to fly, to go, to say, to touch, etc. is hearing voices in her mind.
Examples: to look:
I eat dinner every day. Nancy looks tired. Non-Continuous Verb
I am eating dinner now. She seems tired.
Group II Non-Continuous Verbs
Farah is looking at the pictures. Normal Verb
The second group, called "Non-Continuous Verbs," is
She is looking with her eyes.
smaller. These verbs are usually things you cannot see
to miss:
somebody doing. These verbs are rarely used in
John misses Sally. Non-Continuous Verb
continuous tenses. They include:
He is sad because she is not there.
Abstract Verbs
to be, to want, to cost, to seem, to need, to care, to
Debbie is missing her favorite TV
contain, to owe, to exist... program. Normal Verb
Possession Verbs She is not there to see her favorite program.
to possess, to own, to belong... to see:
Emotion Verbs I see her. Non-Continuous Verb
to like, to love, to hate, to dislike, to fear, to envy, to I see her with my eyes.
mind... I am seeing the doctor. Normal Verb
Examples: I am visiting or consulting with a doctor. (Also
He is needing help now. Not Correct used with dentist and lawyer.)
He needs help now. Correct I am seeing her. Normal Verb
He is wanting a drink now. Not Correct I am having a relationship with her.
He wants a drink now. Correct He is seeing ghosts at night. Normal Verb
Group III Mixed Verbs He sees something others cannot see. For
The third group, called "Mixed Verbs," is the example ghosts, aura, a vision of the future,
smallest group. These verbs have more than etc.
one meaning. In a way, each meaning is a to smell:
unique verb. Some meanings behave like The coffee smells good. Non-Continuous Verb
"Non-Continuous Verbs," while other meanings The coffee has a good smell.
behave like "Normal Verbs." I am smelling the flowers. Normal Verb
Mixed Verbs I am sniffing the flowers to see what their smell
to appear, to feel, to have, to hear, to look, to is like.
see, to weigh... to taste:
List of Mixed Verbs with Examples and The coffee tastes good. Non-Continuous Verb
Definitions: The coffee has a good taste.
to appear: I am tasting the cake. Normal Verb
Donna appears confused. Non-Continuous I am trying the cake to see what it tastes like.
Verb to think:
Donna seems confused. He thinks the test is easy. Non-Continuous
My favorite singer is appearing at the jazz Verb
club tonight. Normal Verb He considers the test to be easy.
My favorite singer is giving a performance at She is thinking about the question. Normal
the jazz club tonight. Verb
She is pondering the question, going over it in
her mind.
to weigh:
The table weighs a lot. Non-Continuous Verb
The table is heavy.
She is weighing herself. Normal Verb
She is determining her weight.
Passive Form
Some Verbs Can Be Especially Confusing:
to be:
In passive sentences, the thing receiving the
Joe is American. Non-Continuous Verb
action is the subject of the sentence and the
Joe is an American citizen.
thing doing the action is optionally included
Joe is being very American. Normal Verb
near the end of the sentence. You can use the
Joe is behaving like a stereotypical American.
passive form if you think that the thing
Joe is being very rude. Normal Verb
receiving the action is more important or
Joe is behaving very rudely. Usually he is not
should be emphasized. You can also use the
rude.
passive form if you do not know who is doing
Joe is being very formal. Normal Verb
the action or if you do not want to mention who
Joe is behaving very formally. Usually he is not
is doing the action.
formal.
NOTICE: Only rarely is "to be" used in a
[Thing receiving action] + [be] + [past participle
continuous form. This is most commonly done
of verb] + [by] + [thing doing action]
when a person is temporarily behaving badly or
stereotypically. It can also be used when
Examples:
someone's behavior is noticeably different.
to feel:
The massage feels great. Non-Continuous
Verb
The massage has a pleasing feeling.
I don't feel well today. Sometimes used as
Non-Continuous Verb Infinitive to be
I am a little sick.
I am not feeling well today. Sometimes used Present am, is, are
as Normal Verb Past was, were
I am a little sick. Present Participle being
NOTICE: The second meaning of "feel" is very Past Participle been
flexible and there is no real difference in meaning
between "I don't feel well today" and "I am not Present Subjunctive be
feeling well today." Past Subjunctive were
Active / Passive Verb Forms Imperative be
Sentences can be active or passive. Therefore,
tenses also have "active forms" and "passive
forms." You must learn to recognize the difference
to successfully speak English.
Active Form
In active sentences, the thing doing the action is
the subject of the sentence and the thing receiving
the action is the object. Most sentences are active.
[Thing doing action] + [verb] + [thing receiving
action]
Examples: