1 Module 1 | BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR

2 Module 1 | BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR

INTRODUCTION
Verbs are essential action words that describe what someone or something is doing, helping us
express actions, events, or states of being. They play a key role in forming complete and meaningful
sentences, whether it's describing physical actions like running, mental activities like thinking, or states such
as existing. In this module, you'll explore how verbs function in sentences and learn to use them correctly,
improving both your writing and speaking skills. By mastering verbs, you'll enhance your ability to
communicate ideas clearly and effectively.

Lesson 4: THE VERB

SPECIFIC LEARNING OUTCOMES

In this lesson, you are expected to:
1. define what a is verb;
2. identify the different kinds of verbs according to their use;
3. identify and explain the correct tenses of the verb in the sentences; and
4. use the correct form of the verb that agrees with its subject.

PRE-ASSESSMENT
Instruction: Read, analyze and answer each of the questions below by choosing the letter of the
MOST APPROPRIATE answer.
1. Which of the following is a verb?
a) Chair c) Beautiful
b) Dance d) Quickly
2. Which sentence contains an action verb?
a) The cat is sleepy. c) She is very kind.
b) The dog runs in the park. d) They are friends.
3. What is the correct past tense form of the verb "go"?
a) Goes c) Going
b) Went d) Gone
4. Which of the following is a helping verb?
a) Have c) Run
b) Eat d) Jump
5. Which sentence uses the verb in the correct form?
a) She have a new book. c) They walking to school.
b) He runs fast. d) I was eats dinner.
6. I ____ the book I am reading.
a) Love
b) loves
c) liking
d) liked
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7. I am ____ fine.
a) do
b) does
c) doing
d) going
8. He ____ running late for the class.
a) is
b) was
c) were
d) are
9. I ____ find anything wrong about that person, he’s actually a nice one.
a) do
b) did
c) don’t
d) does not
10. I am currently ____ the movies I like.
a) watch
b) watching
c) watched
d) looking
LESSON MAP

Regular and
Irregular
Verbs

Transitive,
Attributes:
Intransitive,
Copula, & Verb Tense,
Voice Mood
Auxiliary

Subject-
Verb
Agreement

The map above outlines the verb and its related subtopics that will be covered in this lesson.
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CORE CONTENTS

ENGAGE: ACTION CHARADES!

Activity 1: Guess the Verbs!
1. INSTRUCTIONS: You will be divided into small groups of 4-5 students. One student from each
group picks a card with a verb (e.g., jump, run, dance, eat, write) and acts it out in front of their group
without speaking. The rest of the group guesses what action (verb) is being performed. Once the group
guesses correctly or time runs out (30 seconds per turn), a new student takes the next turn to act out a
different verb. The group with the most correct guesses wins a small prize or recognition.
Follow up questions:
1. What do all these actions have in common?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What do we call these words (verbs)?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Can anyone give examples of how these verbs are used in sentences?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

EXPLORE: VERBS IN ACTION!

Activity 2: Reading to Discover Movement!
INSTRUCTIONS: Read each concept closely. Spaces are provided for note-taking and reflection.

The verb can do more than being just an action word. It could become a link between the subject and the
predicate or become a helping verb which help express the meaning of the main verb. The words “believe”,
“can take”, “see”, “know”, “will cross” are some examples of verb.

KINDS OF VERBS

A. According to form
1. Regular verbs- a verb that forms its past and past participle form by adding -d or -ed to the base
form of the verb

Present Past Past Participle

Listen listened (have) listened
Work worked (have) worked
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2. Irregular verbs -a verb whose past and past participle is formed in ways other than adding -d or -
ed to the present form.

Present Past Past Participle

Bind Bound (have) bound
Hit Hit (have) hit
Eat Ate (have) eaten

B. According to structure

1. Transitive verb-expresses an action and it is always followed by an object that receives the action.
An object answers the question who or what.

Example: The funding agencies approved (verb) the project proposal(object). (what did the funding
agencies approved? -proposal)

2. Intransitive verb- expresses an action but is not followed by an object. In other words, it doesn’t
have an object. It doesn’t answer the question who or what.

Example: Summer vacation (subject) in the Philippines starts (verb) from last week of March or
April.

3. Linking verb- is a word that links or establish a relationship between the subject and its predicate.
They never show an action. The most common form of a linking verb is the “BE verb”: am, is, are,was,
were, be, been, being. Some pertains to the senses: appear, become, continue, feel, grow, look,
remain, seem, smell, sound, taste, turn.

Examples: Lee Min Ho became the branch manager of Jollibee in Surigao City.
Many of my friends are teachers.

4. Auxiliary Verbs- those that are combined with action words to express the ideas exactly. They help
express the meaning of the main verb. The four groups of helping verb are:
a. Verb “Be” group- am, is, are,was, were, be, been, being.
b. “Have” group- has, have, had
c. “Do” group (emphatic)- do, does, did
d. Modal Auxiliaries- may, might, must, can,could, shall, should, will, would
Example: Jenny is working very hard for her family.
I have purchased a round-trip ticket to Japan for December this year.
She does believe in the power of prayer.
I might resign and try my luck abroad.
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ATTRIBUTES OF VERB

A. Tense -denotes time of action or of being

Verb tenses and forms:
Simple Tense Progressive Perfect tense Perfect
Tense Progressive Tense

Present -s/no -s form of Am/is/are + -ing Have/has + past Have/has been + -

the verb from of the verb participle form ing form of the verb
of the verb
Past -d, -ed, or the Was/were + -ing had + past had been + -ing form
irregular form of from of the verb participle form of the verb
the verb of the verb
Future Will/ shall + base Will/ shall +be + - Will/ shall + Will/ shall + have +
form of the verb ing from of the verb have + past been + -ing form of
participle form the verb
of the verb

1. Simple Tenses
a. Simple Present Tense - denotes present time; express habitual action, general truth, and
permanent condition.
Example: I drink ten glasses of water everyday. (habitual)

b. Simple Past Tense - denotes past time, past action.

Example: The photographer captured the scenes at Siargao Islands.

c. Simple Future Tense - denotes that the action will be taking place sometime in the future.
Example: She will deliver her0 valedictory address on Monday, the
graduation Day.

2. Progressive Tense
a. Present Progressive Tense- describes an ongoing action that is happening at the same
time the statement is written (see the formula in the table above).
Example: The professor is checking the final requirements of his students.

b. Past Progressive Tense- describes a past action which was happening when
another action occurred.
Example: The student-leaders were having a meeting when the
administrative officer told them to vacate the Conference Room.
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c. Future Progressive Tense- describes an ongoing or continuous action that will take place
in the future.
Example: NEMCO will be hosting the Uni-wide Business Summit this coming September.

3. Perfect Tense
a. Present Perfect Tense- signifies that the action started I the past and still going on in the
present.
Example: Liza has already published a book on Literature.

b. Past Perfect Tense - signifies that an action happened in the past w1hen another
action took place.
Example: Enrique had finished his manuscript when Liza came.

c. Future Perfect Tense- signifies that the action will be completed some time in the future.
Example: I will have submitted my project by this time tomorrow.

4. Perfect Progressive Tense

a. Present Perfect Progressive Tense - describes an action that began in the past,
continues in the present, and may continue in the future.
Example: Dr. Padilla has been considering his luck to teach outside the Philippines where income
would be bigger.

b. Past Perfect Progressive Tense- describes a past, ongoing action that was completed
before some other past action.
Example: Before the memo on cost cutting measures, the offices had
been using the air-con as early as seven in the morning.

c. Future Perfect Progressive Tense- describes a future, ongoing action that will occur
before some specified future time.
Example: James will have been studying English for 14 years by year 2022.

B. Voice - the quality of the verb which pertains to the way a verb functions relative to the subject of
the sentence. It shows whether the subject is the doer or the receiver of the action.
1. Active Voice- The subject performs the action. The action is linear and straightforward.

Example: Dr. J. Reid examined the pregnant with care.

(subject) (Transitive verb) (object)
(The subject, Dr. J. Reid, is the doer of the action)

2. Passive Voice - the subject is the recipient of the action. The verb acts upon the
subject
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Example: The pregnant was examined with care by Dr. J. Reid

(subject) (intransitive verb)
(The subject, pregnant, is the receiver of the action.)

C. Mood - the quality of the verb that shows the mode or manner in which the action or condition is
conceived, expressed, or intended. It tells whether the writer regards the statement is a fact, command
/request, wish possibility, or condition contrary to the fact.
1. Indicative mood- states a fact of some sort, describes what happens, or gives details about
reality or asks a question.
2. Imperative Mood- indicates a state of command, entreaty, or advice.
3. Subjunctive mood- indicates a hypothetical state, a doubt, a state a contrary to
reality like a wish, a desire, or an imaginary situation.

Mood Sample Sentences

Indicative Surigao City is the capital of Surigao del Norte.
Imperative Fall in line when paying your fees.
Subjunctive If I were the president, I would eliminate the corruption.

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

Basic Rule: A singular subject (she, Bill, car) takes a singular verb (is, goes, shines), whereas
a plural subject takes a plural verb.

1. The pronoun “you” whether singular or plural takes a plural verb.

Example: You make my day complete.

2. Intervening words such as along with, together with, including, with, in coordination
with, and others do not affect the agreement.
Example: Celia, with all her relatives, is attending the wedding.

3. Prepositional phrases between the subject and verb usually do not affect agreement.
Example: The order of the three ladies has not yet been delivered.

4. When sentences start with “there” or “here,” the subject will always be placed after
the verb, so care needs to be taken to identify it correctly.

Example: Here are the papers you requested. (Papers-subject; are-verb)

5. Subjects don’t always come before verbs in questions. Make sure you accurately identify the
subject before deciding on the proper verb form to use.
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Example: Where are the documents I requested you to submit? (documents- subject)

6. If two subjects are joined by “and”, they typically require a plural verb form. But if the
subject joined by “and” refers to the same person or thing, singular verb is required.

Example: Reading and watching are my favorite past times. (plural)

Rice and fish makes a good dish. (singular)

7. When a compound subject is composed of a negative and positive elements, the verb agrees
with the affirmative.
Example: The director, not the producers, deserves an applause.

8. If one of the words each, every,or no comes before the subject, the verb is singular.
Example: Every man and women is required to be in executive suit.

9. If the subject is joined by the words “or,” “nor,” “neither…nor…,” either…or…” and “not
only…but also…,” the verb agrees with nearest subject.
Example: Either you and I am assigned to proctor the examination.

10. The object of the preposition determines the form of the verb if it is preceded by words like
“some,” “half,” “none,” “more,” “all,” etc. as subjects
Example: Some of the investments of the firm seem to have been affected by the market changes.

11. Words or phrases that express periods of time, weights, and money taken as a unit are
generally singular.
Example: Two gallons of whitewash is all that the dentist needs.

12. Singular indefinite pronouns take singular verb, while plural indefinite pronouns take plural
verb. (see list of indefinite pronouns in Lesson 2)
Example: Everyone wants a passing mark.
Few were left alive after the tsunamis.

13. When verbals such as gerunds and infinitives are used as the subject of a sentence, they
take the singular verb, but when they are link by “and” they take the plural form.
Example: Smoking cigarette and drinking liquor cost a lot of money.
To collect stamps is an expensive hobby.

14. Nouns in plural for but singular in meaning take singular verb.
Example: Measles threatens lives of children
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15. Mass nouns or things that cannot be counted are singular unless preceded by “lots of,” “pieces
of,” “kinds of,”an the like.

Example: The chalk is not enough for the board work.

The pieces of chalk are nowhere to be found.

16. Collective nouns (group, jury, crowd, team, etc.) may be singular or plural, depending
on meaning.

Example:
• The jury has awarded the custody to the grandmother. (“jury” is regarded as one entity; they had a
consensus to give the custody to the grandmother)
• The jury have been arguing for five days. (“jury” is regarded as separate individuals giving their own
argument)

17. Titles of books, movies, short stories, poems, novels and others are treated
as singular and take a singular verb.

Example: Edgar Allan Poe’s The Bells makes good piece for speech choir.

18. Sentences beginning with the phrase “the number” take singular verbs,
while sentences beginning with “a number” take plural verb.
Example: The number of applicants in the call center world grows each year. (singular)
A number of test takers in the Licensure Examination for Teachers are now waiting for the
result. (plural)

19. A clause used as subject needs a singular verb.

Example: What you are is God’s gift to you.

NOTES:
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EXPLAIN: SEEING VERBS IN USE!

Activity 3: Verbs in Motion!
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer the following questions below.
1. Why do you think mastering the use of verbs is important for effective communication? Provide examples of
how incorrect verb usage can lead to confusion in a sentence.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. Explain what subject-verb agreement means and why it is important in writing.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. What is the difference between active and passive voice? Provide an example of each.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
4. Explain the difference between indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods in verbs. Provide examples
for each.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
5. How do verb tenses influence the way we perceive time in writing or speech? Can you think of a situation
where using the wrong tense might change the meaning of what you're trying to express?
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

TOPIC SUMMARY
In this lesson, you have learned that …
✓ Verbs are the action words in a sentence that describe what the subject is doing. Along with nouns,
verbs are the main part of a sentence or phrase, telling a story about what is taking place.
✓ The verb can do more than being just an action word. It could become a link between the subject and
the predicate or become a helping verb which help express the meaning of the main verb. The words
“believe”, “can take”, “see”, “know”, “will cross” are some examples of verb.
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✓ Verbs are classified according to its form (regular/irregular) and structure (transitive/intransitive/
copula/auxiliary).
✓ There are three attributes of the verb namely tense, voice and mood.
✓ The basic rule for subject-verb agreement is “a singular subject takes a singular verb, whereas a plural
subject takes a plural verb.

POST-ASSESSMENT
Instruction: Write the correct verb form in the blank to agree with the subject.

(make) 1. the town mayor, together with his SB members,________a tour to remote barangays.
(be) 2. One cause of traffic congestion along Bonifacio Street in Tuguegarao City______
the street vendors.
(be) 3. Every table and chair in this house_______was bought by my great grandfather.
(depend) 4. The price of diamonds________ on their size and quality.
(need) 5. Half of the articles submitted_________revision.
(use) 6. Policemen_______ truncheons to disperse.
(observe) 7. Many __________rigid diet rules.
(appreciates) 8. the principal or the students_________ her interest in sports.
(increase) 9. The number of casualties from CoViD-19 Pandemic_________each day.
(jump) 10. Over the fence_______a goat.

• REFERENCES

De La Cruz, A. O. (2014). Basics of English Grammar: A Textbook -Workbook for English

Language Learners. Wiseman’s Book Trading, Inc.: Philippines.\

San Miguel, J.G., Barraquio, D.C.T., & Revilla, R. DV.(2010). Smart English: (More Than) A
Worktext for Grammar and Syntax. 2nd Ed. C&E Publishing, Inc.:
Quezon City