CLASSES OF

UKRAINIAN AND
ENGLISH VERBS
■ While both Ukrainian and English verbs are important for expressing actions, events, and states of
being, there are some differences in the role they play in each language. Here are a few
comparisons:
■ Verb Tenses:
Both Ukrainian and English verbs have different tenses to indicate the time frame of the action, such as
past, present, or future.
However, Ukrainian verbs have a more complex system of tenses than English verbs.
For example, Ukrainian has a future tense that is formed by adding a suffix to the infinitive form of the
verb, while English uses auxiliary verbs to indicate the future tense.
■ Word Order:
Word order is an important aspect of both Ukrainian and English sentences, but the role of the verb in
determining word order is different in each language.
In Ukrainian, the verb usually comes at the end of the sentence and is not as important for determining
word order as it is in English.
In English, the position of the verb is crucial for determining the meaning of the sentence and the
relationship between the subject and object.
Classes of Verbs in Ukrainian:

■ Action Verbs:
Action verbs are the most common type of verbs in Ukrainian language.
They describe a physical or mental action that is being performed by the subject.
For example, писати (write), говорити (speak), працювати (work) are all action verbs.
They can be used in different tenses to indicate the time frame of the action, such as past,
present, or future.
Classes of Verbs in Ukrainian:

■ State Verbs:
State verbs describe a state or condition of the subject.
They often refer to a characteristic, emotion, feeling, or mental state of the subject.
Examples of state verbs in Ukrainian include бути (be), мати (have), знати (know).
These verbs are typically used in the present tense to describe a continuous state or
condition of the subject.
Classes of Verbs in Ukrainian:

■ Reflexive Verbs:
Reflexive verbs are used when the subject performs an action on themselves.
They are formed by adding the reflexive pronoun себе (self) to the verb stem.
Examples of reflexive verbs in Ukrainian include митися (wash oneself), одягатися (dress
oneself).
These verbs are often used in the present tense to describe routine actions or habits.
■ Ukrainian has a larger number of reflexive verbs than English.
■ In English, reflexive verbs are often formed by adding "-self" to the end of a pronoun,
while in Ukrainian, reflexive pronouns are added to the verb stem.
Modal verbs:
■ Modal Verbs in Ukrainian:
Modal verbs express possibility, necessity, ability, or permission.
They are often used to express the speaker's attitude or intention towards the action being
performed.
Examples of modal verbs in Ukrainian include можу (can), повинен (should), треба (must).
Modal verbs are usually followed by an infinitive verb to indicate the action being performed.
■ Modal Verbs in English:
Examples of modal verbs in English include can, should, must.
Modal verbs are usually followed by a base form of the verb to indicate the action being
performed.
Modal verbs:

■ Modal verbs play a similar role in both Ukrainian and English, expressing possibility,
necessity, ability, or permission.
■ However, the usage of modal verbs can be different in each language due to cultural and
linguistic differences.
■ For example, Ukrainian uses the modal verb "маєш" (you should) more frequently than
English uses "should", which may be replaced with "ought to" or "had better".
Classes of Verbs in English:
■ Transitive Verbs:
Transitive verbs require an object to complete their meaning. They describe an action that is being
performed on something or someone.
Examples of transitive verbs in English include read a book, eat an apple, watch a movie. The object of the
verb is usually placed after the verb.
■ Direct Objects: The object of a transitive verb is called a direct object, and it usually answers the
question "what" or "whom" after the verb. Example: She wrote a letter. (The direct object is "a letter.")
■ Passive Voice: Transitive verbs can be used in the passive voice by switching the subject and object of
the sentence and adding a form of "be" plus the past participle of the verb. Example: The letter was
written by her. (The subject is now "the letter," and the verb is in the past participle form "written.")
■ Separable Phrasal Verbs: Some transitive verbs can form separable phrasal verbs, which means the
verb and particle can be separated by the direct object. In this case, the particle typically comes after
the direct object. Example: He turned off the lights. (The phrasal verb is "turned off," and the direct
object is "the lights.")
■ Inseparable Phrasal Verbs: Other transitive verbs form inseparable phrasal verbs, which means the verb
and particle cannot be separated by the direct object. Example: She looked up the word in the
dictionary. (The phrasal verb is "look up," and the direct object is "the word.")
Classes of Verbs in English:
■ Intransitive Verbs:
Intransitive verbs do not require an object to complete their meaning.They describe an action that is
being performed without affecting anything or anyone else.
Examples of intransitive verbs in English include run, sleep, laugh. Intransitive verbs are often used
to describe a state of being or an action that is ongoing.
■ No Passive Voice: Intransitive verbs cannot be used in the passive voice because there is no
object to become the subject of the sentence. Example: He slept. (This sentence cannot be
changed to the passive voice because there is no object.)
■ No Direct Object: Intransitive verbs do not have direct objects. Instead, they can have other types
of complements, such as predicate nominatives or adverbial complements, that provide more
information about the subject or action of the verb. Example: She felt happy. (The intransitive
verb "felt" has the predicate nominative "happy.")
■ Intransitive vs. Linking Verbs: Intransitive verbs can sometimes be confused with linking verbs
because they do not require an object. However, linking verbs connect the subject to a predicate
nominative or predicate adjective, while intransitive verbs express a complete action or state of
being.
Classes of Verbs in English:

■ Linking Verbs:
Linking verbs connect the subject to a noun or adjective that describes it. They are also
called copular verbs.
Examples of linking verbs in English include be, seem, appear. The predicate noun or
adjective is usually placed after the linking verb.
■ No Direct Object: Linking verbs do not take direct objects, as their function is to
connect the subject to the predicate nominative or predicate adjective.
■ No Passive Voice: Linking verbs cannot be used in the passive voice because they do
not express an action that can be performed on an object.
Conclusion

■ Verbs are an important part of speech in both Ukrainian and English languages.
■ Understanding the different classes of verbs can help us use them correctly in our
speech and writing.
■ By understanding the nuances of each class of verbs, we can improve our ability to
communicate effectively in both languages.