Verb

A verb is the centerpiece of every clause. Verbs are categorized as

1. linking verbs,

2. action verbs, and

3. helping verbs.

An action verb is the counterpart of a linking verb. It shows action and can be transitive.

A linking verb (also known as a “copulative” or an "equative") is almost always some form of the verb “to be” and shows no action as an action verb would. It links the subject with the complement and the resulting clause is called an “equative clause”. The complement of a linking verb will always be either a predicate nominative or a predicate adjective.

In Greek, the linking verbs are ειμι and γινομαι.

In Hebrew, the linking verb is היה.

A helping verb (or “auxiliary verb”) is another word added to the main verb to indicate a change in tense. For example,

I have read.

The entire verb here is "have read". The “have” is used to convert "read" into the perfect tense. The verb in this sentence is "will be writing".

I will be writing you a letter.

“will” is used to make the future tense. See also periphrastic.

Unlike a verbal, a verb always has a subject. Verbs are further classified in terms of voice, person, and tense. In English, there are three simple tenses and these are subdivided further.

Simple tenses; Past Present Future

These are further subdivided into the perfect, progressive, and emphatic:

Past perfect Present perfect Future perfect

Past progressive Present progressive Future progressive

Past emphatic Present emphatic (there is no future emphatic tense)