Questions tagged [verbs]
A verb is a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence.
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Is there a simple and clear way to explain the difference between past simple and present perfect?
I read (or do I say "have read"?) many rules for when to use the present perfect. I found them complex and hard to understand (or do I say "have found"?). I am finding it hard to apply these rules in ...
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Perfect infinitive
I thought we can use perfect infinitive construction to talk about plans which didn't happen. For instance:
I was to have started work last week, but I changed my mind.
But what about that ...
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Allow (to) + infinitive, substantive, verb+ -ing
In which way can the verb 'allow' be used? There is always some confusion and apparently it's often intuitively used wrongly. Which form corresponds to correct English, eventually depending on context ...
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Should you use a plural verb if you refer to a fraction?
Should you use a plural verb if you refer to a fraction?
Nine tenths of the pillar have rotted away.
I think has should be used here, but I'm not sure.
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"Assume you are given ..." or "Assume that you are given ..."?
I have often read people using sentences like...
Assume you are given a ball.
in place of
Assume that you are given a ball.
While both sound correct while speaking, the first sentence does ...
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I demand that he leave or leaves?
I am confused between the two.
I demand that he leave!or I demand that he leaves!
I demand that this man leave!or I demand that this man leaves!
Which is correct with s or without and why?
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"This book *reads* very well."
This book reads very well.
The usage of the verb read is unusual. Because it doesn't say here that the book reads something, but someone reads the book. Can you give me a hint what is this grammar ...
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What is the difference between “say” and “tell”?
I really get confused when to use say and when to use tell.
Which is appropriate in the following:
What did he tell? / What did he say?
What are you saying? / What are you telling?
sam-worthingon
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Difference between "has + verbed" and "had + verbed"
This is something which came up in my last question.
As far as I know "had + verb" is done (started & finished) in the past. What's about "has + verb"?
Can anyone please explain me the ...
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Can the verb "wrap" describe the current condition of something?
Suppose there are two situations:
A line of people waiting outside some store is getting very long and the line goes around a street corner.
A ribbon is glued around a water pipe.
Suppose the ...
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Does singular or plural verb goes with plural nouns like trousers, glasses, scissors, binoculars and many more?
My glasses (was/were) lying on the table.
My trousers (is/are) torn.
(This/These) binoculars (was/were) gifted to me.
I know they're in plural form, but plural nouns such as rickets, measles ...
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"Didn't use to get" or "Didn't used to get"?
I just made a minor grammar correction on Travel SE, and another user said the grammar correction was unnecessary.
The original text was
Another factor--sometimes life happens and you can't fly. ...
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Explanation of "did was [verb]" structure
All I did was hand someone a bag.
There are three verbs that come together. The tense of the verb hand confuses me. It doesn't fall into any grammar structure I know so far. It would make more sense ...
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How can I identify a word that ends with "-ing" as being a noun, a verb, or an adjective?
How can I distinguish between words which have the -ing in a sentence that are nouns, verbs, or adjectives?
For example sometimes -ing come with word to give us a noun, and sometimes a verb or an ...
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Infinitive and Gerund Construction
English isn't my mother tongue. I'm familiar with the notions of infinitive and gerund but I sometimes just don't know which of the two should be used in combination with which verb.
Thomson and ...
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What is the meaning of "is of"?
For example:
It is of no great bulk.
It is of no use whatever.
This book is of elegant format.
and so on.
I don't understand why we don't use 'is' but 'is + preposition'? especially 'is of'
And ...
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"He committed a crime killing/by killing a bird"
Which wording with kill should be used here:
He committed a crime (killing/by killing) a bird.
My guess is the answer would be by killing. But I am really confused with the answer killing.
My ...
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Verb + gerundive or Verb + infinitive, what is preferable?
What is preferable to use: verb + gerundive or verb + infinitive?
For example:
I tried checking it
or
I tried to check it
if both are possible then what's the difference? Are there any specific ...
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The use of -s on third person verbs in a question starting with "does"
I was watching this video about Cyclopia on youtube and noticed this sentence: How does an animal that normally has two eyes develop just one in the center of its face.
I tried to google it but I ...
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"I think it strange that .." -- is the phrase correct or does it miss a verb before 'it'?
I think it strange that there is no one on the street at this time of
the day.
In the above sentence, I think, a verb is missing; and should be corrected as;
I think it is strange that there is ...
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Adjective or verb?
Participles can be used both as verbs and adjectives. But I get confused sometimes and struggle to understand the role the participles play in a given sentence, like this one:
The man, who was ...
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When to use Does and Is while starting the Interrogative sentence?
I am confused which is the correct sentence
Does your company works on php?
Is your company works on php?
Do your company works on php?
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Which is more appropriate? "I was married" OR "I have been married"?
Suppose, we're (I and my wife) asked by people how long our marriage is since we got married. Which tense should I use? Past tense or perfect tense or else?
We were married for 15 years.
We've been ...
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"to find" or "finding" after the verb "help"
I want to say this sentence:
Could you help me to find a financial support please?
Would it be more correct to say to find or to say finding? Is there a general rule to determine whether to verb ...
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"See somebody do" and "see somebody doing"
My grammar book says that if you saw the complete action you use do/get/drive: "I saw him fall off the wall." Otherwise you use -ing: "I saw him standing at the bus stop."
A native ...
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A professor takes/gives/sets exams
As a student you take exams and a professors sets the question. So he is the one who is the authority on the exam. I am looking for a word which can be used in the following sentence-
Professor ...
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help you do (or) to do something - difference [duplicate]
I know that generally native speakers say it usually like this (without the to):
These exercises will help you get better at math.
Can you help me move these boxes outside?
But sometimes, though ...
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passing vs having passed
After ______ MA Economics he joined the London School of Economics.
I am confused about using "passing" or "having passed"?
*Edit - I did some research and from what I gathered, the answer is "...
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Usage of lie and lay
I'm preparing for some competitive exam and I'm reading an English grammar book, in that I encountered a test on lie and lay, but I do have a doubt on two questions, I don't know whether I'm right or ...
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using the verb "blame"
I am not to be blamed
Many accidents were blamed on the snow
be to blame
If a ship sinks, the captain is to blame
The increase in crime is a sad reflection on our society
The increase in crime is, ...
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Which is correct: "will resume" or "will be resumed"?
Here are the two sentences using will resume and will be resumed.
What is correct here? Also, is it true that will should always be followed by be?
My office process will be resumed once I ...
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which form of verb is used with majority
The majority ________ that the country can progress under able leadership.
Either believe or believes should be used.
As far as I know majority goes with both singular and plural verbs, but the above ...
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dummy "it" + was/were?
What is correct in the following sentence:
It was/were our musical expeditions to Berlin that encouraged us to do that.
I think the plural of "expeditions" indicates "were" but I'...
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What is the difference between "wait" and "await"?
I'd like to know the difference between the two verbs since they seem to have the same meaning. When should I use await, and when wait?
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What is the difference between 'hear' and 'listen'?
Is there a difference between 'hear' and 'listen' in Standard English?
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Double 'in' in one sentence
Is the sentence below correct? I want to use the phrasal verb to stay in and the adverbs in the evening. I know how to write the sentence in different forms but I ask you if the form below is correct. ...
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Do verb tenses have to remain absolutely consistent through a piece of writing?
Generally, I've been told that I should maintain consistency of tenses in my writing. That is, if I begin a piece of writing in the past tense, I should ensure that all verbs agree with that through ...
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The difference between "prevent" and "avoid"
The accident could have been prevented
The accident could have been avoided
Would you show me semantically what the difference between the two is?
Also, are there any scenarios in which both ...
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Difference between "continue to" and "are continuing to"
Please tell me is there any fundamental difference between the two sentences:
Even today, people continue to use cheques.
Even today, people are continuing to use cheques.
I mean is there a ...
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"like doing" vs. "like to do" [duplicate]
I like to play tennis on Tuesdays.
I like playing tennis on Tuesdays.
Having taken into account the following, would you please throw a light on what is the difference between the sentences above?
...
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"reflect" vs "reflection on" or "reflection of"
The bride's elegant dress reflected her good taste.
The bride's elegant dress is a reflection on her good taste.
The bride's elegant dress is a reflection of her good taste.
Would you tell me if they ...
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Does the verb "unvelcro" exist or what can we use instead?
I know that the following word pairs exist:
button – unbutton
tie – untie
Can we use an analogous process with the verb "velcro"?
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Why do we use "was" for the pronoun "I" in some cases?
Why do we use was for the pronoun I?
Can we use were or not?
What is the difference between I was and I were??
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“I heard him sing.” Vs. “I heard him singing.”
I am looking at the following two sentences:
I heard him sing.
I heard him singing.
I think I understand the difference between these two sentences, but I want to make sure I understand.
"I ...
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Meaning of "ain't" in: "...we ain't know what it meant"
What is the meaning of the following line:
We ain't know what it meant
Putting ain't = aren't doesn't make sense. I'm left with putting ain't = haven't, but have requires the third form of know, ...
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The verb tense after "Until"
I asked a related question, which its answer's comments say I can use different tense after "Until", I thought of posting the question in a separate question to get a complete answer.
Which of the ...
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"I saw one of my classmates who was/were?" [closed]
Which one is correct? Please explain.
I saw one of my classmates who was also on the boat while travelling to Saint Martin.
I saw one of my classmates who were also on the boat while travelling to ...
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Difference between 'Take' and 'Bring'
Did you bring Jack with you?
Did you take Jack with you?
Mike went to the movies with Jack, Samuel called to confirm whether Mike bring/take Jack with him.
Which verb should I pick?
Could you ...
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"The front door slid open" grammar explanation
The front door slid open.
I am curious about "slid open" in this context. Is "slid" a verb or an adverb? Is "open" a verb or not?
Is a "slide open" a phrasal verb like "push open"?
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Is there an alternative way to express "has them <verb>" other than "makes them <verb>"?
For example, in the following sentence, can I replace have them with makes them, or is there another verb that more correctly I could use instead of has?
Since the manufacturers are so deeply ...
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