9 division of verbs. The third section, transitive verbs, presents elaboration of
transitive verbs as one of the types of verb. The transitive verb theory, moreover, becomes the major theory to solve the first research problem.
a. Definition of Verbs
Long 1961: 36 defines verbs as one of the parts of speech which express action, event, or state of affairs. Further, he adds that the function of a verb is as
predicator in a clause. Cobbett 1983: 40 shares the same idea in defining verbs. He says verbs as words that express action, movement, or state or manner of
being. Further, Cobbett 1983: 105 also states that a sentence with no verb is nonsense. Therefore, verbs have an important rule to build sentences. It is
necessary to give the readers the definition of verbs. Long and Cobbett have already clearly defined the meaning and function of verbs.
b. Types of Verbs
According to Utah Valley State Writing Center “Types of Verbs,” 2013,
there are three kinds of verbs; they are action verbs, linking verbs, and helping verbs or modal verbs. Each type of verbs is elaborated as follows.
1 Action Verbs
Action verbs are words that show action or possession, for example run, learn, have, and own. Action verbs are also categorized into transitive and
intransitive verbs. Transitive verbs refer to verbs which always have direct objects. The direct objects are nouns which are affected by the action of the verbs.
10 Intransitive verbs refer to verbs which do not have either direct or indirect object.
Intransitive verbs can be followed by an adverb or adverbial phrase. However, there is no object to receive the action of the verbs in the sentences.
2 Linking Verbs
Utah Valley State Writing Center “Types of Verbs,” 2013 states “linking
verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a noun or adjective that renames or
describes it. ” The noun or adjective in the clause or sentence with linking verb is
named subject complement. The examples of linking verbs are to be, look, appear, feel, grow, and become.
3 Helping or Modal Verbs
Helping or modal verbs are defined as verbs which are used with other verbs to express an idea, such as possibility that is not expressed by the main verbs of
the sentences. The examples of helping or modal verbs are can, could, may, might, must, ought to, shall, should, will, and would. Utah Valley State Writing
Center
“Types of Verbs,” 2013 also adds that to be, to do, and to have can be
helping verbs in sentences.
c. Transitive Verbs
