Verbs are one of the most important parts of speech in English. A verb tells us what someone or something does. Without verbs, we can’t make sentences that describe actions, events, or even states of being. In 2025, with the rise of AI language tools, clear understanding of grammar basics like verbs has become even more important for writing, teaching, and communicating effectively.

What exactly is a verb?

A verb is a word that expresses an action, event, or state. It tells us what’s happening in a sentence.

Examples:

• She runs every morning.
• They celebrated their win.
• I am tired.

Each sentence has a verb that shows what the subject is doing or experiencing.

Types of verbs

Understanding verb types helps you use them correctly in different situations. Here are the main categories:

• Action Verbs: Show physical or mental activity
  Example: write, jump, think, believe
• Linking Verbs: Connect the subject with more information
  Example: is, seem, become
  “She is a doctor.”
• Helping Verbs: Help the main verb express tense or mood
  Example: has, will, can, should
  “They will go tomorrow.”

How do verbs change form?

Verbs change depending on the tense (when the action happens) and the subject (who is doing the action). This is called conjugation.

Verb tenses

English has three main tenses:

• Present: I eat lunch at noon.
• Past: I ate lunch at noon.
• Future: I will eat lunch at noon.

Each tense can also be simple, continuous, perfect, or perfect continuous, depending on the time and duration of the action.

Subject-verb agreement

Verbs must agree with the subject. For example:

• She runs (not run)
• They run (not runs)

AI writing tools in 2025 often use natural language processing (NLP) to check this automatically, but it’s important to learn it yourself too.

Common mistakes learners make with verbs

Even in 2025, learners often make these mistakes:

• Using the wrong tense: He go to school yesterday ❌ (should be He went)
• Forgetting helping verbs: She not coming ❌ (should be She is not coming)
• Mixing verb forms: I was went ❌ (should be I went or I was going)

Why verbs matter in everyday English

Whether you’re writing an email, giving a presentation, or chatting with a friend, verbs help express your thoughts clearly. For example:

• Job interview: “I managed a team of five.”
• Travel blog: “We explored the city for hours.”
• Business pitch: “Our product solves real problems.”

Knowing how to use verbs makes your English sound more natural and professional.

Verbs are everywhere. By mastering them, you lay a strong foundation for all future grammar learning, content creation, and effective communication.