Primary verbs

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Definition and Examples of Primary Verbs in English

Since we have discussed the verb parts. Thus, after the completion of the non-finite verbs as mentioned below. We turned into the finite verbs category and going to learn primary verbs now.

Verbs- All verbs graph.

Certainly, in the finite verb category. We have already learned the model verb. As mentioned below.

Primary verbs

The primary verbs in English grammars are the verbs-Be, do, and have.

  • Be– (is, am, are, was, and were)
  • Do– (do, does, and did)
  • Have– (have, has, and had)

Further details of these verb forms are:-

VerbForm-1Form-2Form-3Form-4Form-5
Bebe/am/arewas/werebeenbeingis
Dododiddonedoingdoes
Havehavehadhadhavinghas

Structure of the verb “be”

Hence we understood the primary verb elements. But it is significant to understand its usage. Generally, the verb “be” is used with three structures.

  • Be + -ing verb form-for active.
  • Be + verb-3 form-for passive.
  • The primary verb “be” also appears as a main verb.

For examples,

The verb “be” as a helping/auxiliary verb

  • She is working.
  • I was waiting.
  • They were dancing.
  • I am looking for an alternate option.
  • They are studying.

The verb “be” as a main/lexical verb

  • He is John.
  • I am to see him tomorrow.
  • She is to get married soon
  • They are my friends.
  • You are a gentleman.

The verb “be” in the passive sentence.

  • He has been informed.
  • They are being taught English.
  • The bike is repaired.
  • I am being trained in how to teach.
  • They were trained.

Structure of the verb “do”

Similarly the verb “do” appears in different forms.

For examples,

The verbdo” as a main/lexical verb to emphasis.

  • I admit that I was wrong. (normal sentence)
  • I do admit that I was wrong. (emphasis)
  • She looks beautiful. (normal)
  • She does look beautiful. (emphasis)
  • He says that he would pay. (normal)
  • He did say that he would pay. (emphasis)

The verbdo” as a helping/ auxiliary verb.

  • He does not exercise in the morning.
  • They do not work on Sunday.
  • You did not join the party.
  • I do not want to wake up early in the morning.
  • She does not know how to cook.

Structure of the verb “have”.

Definitely, the verb “have” has also different attributes. As the verb be, and do.

For examples,

The verbhave” as a main/lexical verb.

  • She has an expensive phone.
  • They have a good understanding of one another.
  • You have an old bike.
  • I had a vehicle but I sold that.
  • He had five laptops when he used to work.

The verbhave” as a helping/ auxiliary verb.

  • I had attended the seminar last year.
  • You have not forgotten him completely.
  • She has fallen in love with him.
  • He has not come yet.
  • They have gone for the movie.

Some more attributes about the primary verbs.

As the main verb the verb “be” shows the state of being, like ” He is old”. But, when it appears as a helping verb. Generally, the verb form -ing comes after it, like “I am going”.

The verb “do” as the main verb emphasis the matter, like the sentence, “he does exercise”. Only the verb base form appears after the verb “do” like “I do not go”.

The verb “have” shows the possession as the main verb, like “I have a phone”. But, it always takes the verb form -3 after it. As “I have gone”.

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