Types of Verbs

English verbs are divided into three groups:

 Normal Verbs
 Non-Continuous Verbs
 Mixed Verbs

1. Normal Verbs

Most verbs are “Normal Verbs.” These verbs are usually physical actions which you can see
somebody doing. These verbs can be used in all tenses.

Normal Verbs

to run, to walk, to eat, to fly, to go, to say, to touch, etc.

Examples:

 I eat dinner every day.

 I am eating dinner now.

2. Non-Continuous Verbs

The second group, called “Non-Continuous Verbs,” is smaller. These verbs are usually things
you cannot see somebody doing. These verbs are rarely used in continuous tenses. They include:

Abstract Verbs

to be, to want, to cost, to seem, to need, to care, to contain, to owe, to exist

Possession Verbs

to possess, to own, to belong

Emotion Verbs

to like, to love, to hate, to dislike, to fear, to envy, to mind

Examples:

 He is needing help now. Not Correct

 He needs help now. Correct

 He is wanting a drink now. Not Correct

 He wants a drink now. Correct

3. Mixed Verbs

The third group, called “Mixed Verbs,” is the smallest group. These verbs have more than one
meaning. In a way, each meaning is a unique verb. Some meanings behave like “Non-
Continuous Verbs,” while other meanings behave like “Normal Verbs.”

Mixed Verbs

to appear, to feel, to have, to hear, to look, to see, to weigh

List of Mixed Verbs with Examples and Definitions:

to appear:

 Donna appears confused. Non-Continuous Verb

Donna seems confused.
 My favorite singer is appearing at the jazz club tonight. Normal Verb
My favorite singer is giving a performance at the jazz club tonight.

to have:

 I have a dollar now. Non-Continuous Verb

I possess a dollar.
 I am having fun now. Normal Verb
I am experiencing fun now.

to hear:

 She hears the music. Non-Continuous Verb

She hears the music with her ears.
 She is hearing voices. Normal Verb
She hears something others cannot hear. She is hearing voices in her mind.

to look:

 Nancy looks tired. Non-Continuous Verb

She seems tired.
 Farah is looking at the pictures. Normal Verb
She is looking with her eyes.
 I am looking for my phone. Normal Verb
I am searching for it.
to miss:

 John misses Sally. Non-Continuous Verb

He is sad because she is not there.
 Debbie is missing her favorite TV program. Normal Verb
She is not there to see her favorite program.

to see:

 I see her. Non-Continuous Verb

I see her with my eyes.
 I am seeing the doctor. Normal Verb
I am visiting or consulting with a doctor. (Also used with dentist and lawyer.)
 I am seeing her. Normal Verb
I am having a relationship with her.
 He is seeing ghosts at night. Normal Verb
He sees something others cannot see. For example ghosts, aura, a vision of the
future, etc.

to smell:

 The coffee smells good. Non-Continuous Verb

The coffee has a good smell.
 I am smelling the flowers. Normal Verb
I am sniffing the flowers to see what their smell is like.

to taste:

 The coffee tastes good. Non-Continuous Verb

The coffee has a good taste.
 I am tasting the cake. Normal Verb
I am trying the cake to see what it tastes like.

to think:

 He thinks the test is easy. Non-Continuous Verb

He considers the test to be easy.
 She is thinking about the question. Normal 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 the ingredients. Normal Verb
She is determining the weight of the ingredients.
Exercise:

1. He …………………. (to taste) the wine to determine its quality. – is tasting

2. This cheese ………………. (to smell) like dirty socks. – smells
3. You …………….. (to look) rested for once. – look
4. He ………………… (to miss) class because he is sick. – is missing
5. The dog ……………..(to need) to be taken for a walk. - needs
6. My friend …………….. (to call) her right now. – is calling
7. She …………………… (to look) for the book. – is looking
8. Our neighbour ………………. (to see) things … - is seeing
9. Give me a moment; I ……………….. (to think) about it. – am thinking
10. I really ……………………(to think) this is a good idea. – think
Irregular Verbs

be was/were been hold held held spread spread spread

beat beat beaten hurt hurt hurt spring sprang sprung
become became become keep kept kept stand stood stood
begin began begun know knew known steal stole stolen
bend bent bent lay laid laid stick stuck stuck
bet bet bet lead led led sting stung stung
bite bit bitten leave left left stink stank stunk
blow blew blown lend lent lent strike struck struck
break broke broken let let let swear swore sworn
bring brought brought lie lay lain sweep swept swept
build built built light lit lit swim swam swum
burst burst burst lose lost lost swing swung swung
buy bought bought make made made take took taken
catch caught caught mean meant meant teach taught taught
choose chose chosen meet met met tear tore torn
come came come pay paid paid tell told told
cost cost cost put put put think thought thought
cut cut cut read read read throw threw thrown
deal dealt dealt ride rode ridden understand understood
dig dug dug ring rang rung understood
do did done rise rose risen wake woke woken
draw drew drawn run ran run wear wore worn
drink drank drunk say said said win won won
eat ate eaten see saw seen write wrote written
fall fell fallen seek sought sought
feed fed fed sell sold sold
feel felt felt send sent sent
fight fought fought set set set
find found found sew sewed sewn/sewed
fly flew flown shake shook shaken
forbid forbade forbidden shine shone shone
forget forgot forgotten shoot shot shot
freeze froze frozen show showed shown
get got got shrink shrank shrunk
give gave given shut shut shut
go went gone sing sang sung
grow grew grown sink sank sunk
hang hung hung sit sat sat
have had had sleep slept slept
hear heard heard speak spoke spoken
hide hid hidden spend spent spent
hit hit hit split split split
Present Simple

1. Use the simple present tense to report repeated actions.

 I get up at 6 o’clock every day.

 She goes to the cinema on Saturdays.
 He watches TV in the evening.

2. Use the simple present tense with adverbs of frequency such as always, usually,
generally, frequently, often, sometimes, seldom, rarely, hardly ever, almost never, never,
etc. Notice that these are also repeated actions.

 We usually have a quiz on Fridays.

 I never go out on weeknights.
 Maria rarely listens to the radio.

3. Use the simple present tense to describe general/universal or scientific truths.

 Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius.

 The sun rises in the east.
 Cats eat meat.

4. Use the simple present tense for permanent situations.

 He works for the government.

 My brother lives in Germany.
 Mr. Brown sells books.

5. Use the simple present tense for scheduled events in the near future.

 The train leaves this afternoon at 2 PM.

 The party starts at 8 o’clock.
 The pottery class starts at 7 PM tonight.

6. Use the simple present tense to express feelings and opinions.

 She loves going to the opera.

 I believe that racism should not be tolerated.
 I consider him a failure.

7. Use the simple present to ask for and give instructions or to discuss a series of actions.
Q) How do I make pancakes?

A) Well, first you take 4 eggs and crack them into a bowl, then you weigh out 4 oz. of flour and
sieve it into the eggs, etc.

8. Use the simple present with non-continuous and certain mixed verbs.

 He is here now.
 She needs help with her homework.
 I have my passport with me
Present Continuous

1. Use the Present Continuous with Normal Verbs to express the idea that something is
happening now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that something is not
happening now.

 The children are reading their books.

 I am drinking a glass of water.
 She is not sitting on the couch.

2. Longer actions in progress “now.”

Now – right this minute, today, this week, this month, this century, etc.

Sometimes, we use the Present Continuous to say that we are in the process of doing a longer
action which is in progress; however, we might not be doing it at this exact second.

 I am studying to become a lawyer.

 She is reading “War and Peace.”
 My science team is working on a secret project.

3. Use the Present Continuous for future plans and arrangements.

Note: how do we differentiate this from Present Simple usage involving events in the near
future? Present Simple is used when events are on a set schedule.

 I am meeting friends for dinner after work. (versus – Our dinner starts at 6 PM).
 I am not going to the party tonight. (versus – The party is at 8 PM tonight.)

4. Use Present Continuous with “always” to indicate irritation/annoyance.

 She is always leaving her clothes on the floor! (this is driving me nuts).
 I don’t like them because they are always complaining.

Note: Present Simple is used with neutral habitual actions, which do not imply
irritation/annoyance.

 She always leaves her clothes on the floor (this is something she normally does).

5. Use Present Continuous with situations which are happening now, but may be temporary.

 These days, more and more people are shopping on the internet. (this trend may end)
 What are you doing these days? Unfortunately, I am working a lot. (hopefully, I won’t
work such long hours soon)
Present Perfect Simple

 We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before
now. The exact time is not important.

 The most important thing to remember about the present perfect is that it can never be
used with adverbs which describe finished time periods, such as yesterday, five minutes
ago and at three o'clock. If a time adverb is used with the present perfect, it should
describe a time period which is unfinished, such as recently, so far, since, never, ever,
once, before, already, yet, etc.

1. Use Present Perfect to describe experience.

 Jane has been to France before.

 He has never travelled by train.

 Robert has learned three foreign languages since he moved abroad.

2. Use Present Perfect to refer to events which happened at an unknown time in the past.

 She has had four surgeries.

 Our friends have bought a house.

 I have been to London, but I haven’t been to Frankfurt.

3. Use Present Perfect to refer to recent events, without a definite time given.

 I’ve just finished my dinner.

 We have finished the history report!

4. Use Present Perfect to refer to an action or situation which began in the past and is
still current.

 He has lived here since he was a child.

 She has been in England for six months.

 Sam has had his car for two years.

5. Use Present Perfect to refer to events which have a result in the present.

 John has broken his leg. (this is why he’s limping)

 I’ve finally washed my car. (it’s clean now)

6. Use Present Perfect to describe an action which can still happen or can happen again.

 The teacher hasn’t arrived yet. (but the class isn’t over, so he could still arrive)

 I’ve spent hundreds on books this year. (the year isn’t over yet, so I could still buy
more books)

7. Use Present Perfect to indicate change over time.

 He has grown since I last saw him.

 The government has become more interested in arts education.

 My English has really improved since I moved to London.

8. We often use Present Perfect to talk about accomplishments (without mentioning

specific times).

 Man has walked on the Moon.

 Scientists have created a vaccine for the latest type of flu.

 His son has learned how to read.

9. In academic or technical writing the Present Perfect tense is often used to report on
recent research or trends.

 In the past five years several car manufacturers have developed hybrid vehicles.

 Recent studies have shown that more efficient water management will be needed
in the future.

Note: Sometimes, we want to limit the time we are looking in for an experience. We can do this
with expressions such as: in the last week, in the last year, this week, this month, so far, up to
now, etc.
 They have had three tests this week (“this week” is not over and it is not considered a
specific time)

 I have been to Germany twice in the last year. (“in the last year” is not the same as “last
year.” “Last year” refers to a specific time, which has already ended. “In the last year” =
since 365 days until now).
Present Perfect Continuous

1. Use the Present Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and has
continued up until now.

 We’ve been waiting for the show to start for the past 30 minutes.
 John has been teaching at the university since June.

2. Use the Present Perfect Continuous to refer to an unfinished activity.

 I have been working on this essay for three hours, but it’s not coming together.
 She has been cleaning the house all morning, but she has not finished yet.

3. Use the Present Perfect Continuous to emphasize duration.

 Jane has been studying for her exams the whole semester.
 I have been writing letters all morning.

4. Use the Present Perfect Continuous to indicate a repeated activity.

 Chelsea has been taking dance lessons this semester.

 He has been practising violin for the past six months.

5. Use the Present Perfect Continuous to express a recently finished activity.

 I have been painting the apartment. (this is why I’m dirty).

 I’ve been washing the car. (this is why I’m wet).

Note: You can also use the Present Perfect Continuous WITHOUT a duration such as “for two
weeks.” Without the duration, the tense has a more general meaning of "lately." We often use the
words “lately” or “recently” to emphasize this meaning.

 I’ve been feeling under the weather lately.

 She has been watching too much TV lately.
 Mary has been feeling a little depressed recently.
Exercise – present simple and present continuous

1. He …………………. (to drink) a glass of milk every day. – drinks, habitual action
2. I …………….. (to go) to the theatre tonight. – am going, plans/arrangements
3. Everyone …………… (to wear) aviator sunglasses these days. – is wearing, temporary
trend
4. A triangle ………… (to have) three sides. – has, universal truth
5. The bus ……………. (to leave) this station at 8:45 AM. – leaves, scheduled event
6. I …………………….(to make) lunch as we speak. – am making, action happening right
now
7. She ……………… (to work) on an article about Shakespeare’s comedies. – is working,
ongoing action
8. Mary ………………. (to believe) that abandoning pets is cruel. – believes, opinion
9. My friend ………………. (to work) at the local library. – works, permanent situation
10. First you …………… (to take) a lace in each hand and make an X. Then you ………….
(to draw) the top lace through the bottom of the X and …………… (to pull) the two laces
tightly. Lastly, you ………………… (to make) a loop out of each lace. – take, draw, pull,
make – instructions

Exercise – Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous

1. The price of gas has risen/has been rising by 15% over the past year. (emphasis on
amount, not duration.)

Compare with

The price of gas has been rising recently. (emphasis on duration).

2. I’ve read/I’ve been reading a really good book this morning. (I am still reading it;
emphasis on very recent event, continuing until now).
3. Doesn’t this room look better? I’ve re-painted/I’ve been re-painting the walls. (emphasis
on action, not duration; we can see the result; action has been recently finished, and while
it can be repeated, it is not ongoing).
4. Don’t disappoint me! I’ve counted/I’ve been counting on you. (I still am)
5. Don’t forget your pills today. Have you taken them/Have you been taking them? (i.e.
have you taken them at all? Otherwise, the implication would be that you should be
taking them repeatedly.)

Compare with

Have you been taking your pills lately? (repeated action, i.e. every day)

6. Who has worn/has been wearing my scarf? (repeated action)

7. I think there’s something wrong with your car. It’s made/it’s been making some funny
noises. (repeated action)
8. Jack has asked/has been asking for a pay rise three times this year. (he’s done it three
times, not every day)

Compare with

Jack has been asking for a pay rise, but he hasn’t received it yet. (i.e. he’s been doing it on a
regular basis)

9. I’ve been phoning/I’ve phoned Ann all evening, but there’s no reply. (i.e. I’ve been doing
it repeatedly)