Questions tagged [verbs]
This tag is for questions about verbs. Verbs are words that express an action, occurrence, or a state of being. Add this tag to single-word-requests if you are looking for a verb. Add the tag word-usage if you are asking about the usage of the verb.
3,904
questions
0
votes
0answers
13 views
He was studying or he studied?
Is it correct to say "Jimmy learned how to rock climb when he was studying at Carleton College" or is it better to say "Jimmy learned how to rock climb when he studied at Carleton College"?
-1
votes
2answers
45 views
“to advocate” vs “to advocate for”
At first I wanted to ask this question in "ell.stackexchange.com", but then I came across the next article and understood that using "for" with "to advocate" can cause disagreements even for the ...
0
votes
0answers
43 views
Is there a passive form of “to vanish”?
I came across the sentence:
The foundations of democracy are being vanished.
I hadn't seen the verb being used in this way before, is it proper English?
-1
votes
0answers
32 views
Does Blurt out mean to say unintentionally or to say suddenly?
I have trouble understanding blurt out does it have two meanings like to say something unintentionally or to say something suddenly?
1
vote
1answer
72 views
What is a verb for using modulo?
I know that "modulo" is a preposition. However, I'd like to say something equivalent to, "We use each multiple of ten to modulo that digit of the number." In other words, I'd like to say "to take the ...
-2
votes
2answers
91 views
The confusion between the word content as a noun and adjective [on hold]
I think content is one of the confusing words in English not because of its pronunciation but because of its use as a verb, noun and adjective.To add to this difficulty, there ...
-1
votes
2answers
39 views
Past sentence and use two verbs frequently
Which one is correct?
1. I went to do something
Or
2. I went do something
We use "to" between two verbs in present sentence, but I don't know about past sentence?!
Thanks for helping
0
votes
2answers
85 views
Why past perfect is used in this paragraph
"He remembered the red priest Thoros of Myr, and the flaming sword he had wielded in the melee.The man had made for a colorful spectacle, his red robes flapping while his blade writhed with pale green ...
1
vote
0answers
41 views
Is “happen” stative or dynamic [duplicate]
The progressive tense is allowed for happen, e.g. "It is happening now". Thus happen should be a dynamic verb. However, it seems that happen also looks like a stative verb sometimes, e.g. "I happen to ...
0
votes
0answers
47 views
Can I use the verb “disappear” in Present Continuous Tense? [migrated]
"More and more forests are disappearing because of fires." or "More and more forests disappear because of fires." which one is grammatically correct? Our English teacher said that disappear is a ...
2
votes
1answer
33 views
Should I use “indicates” or “is indicative of”?
Should one formulation be used instead of the other? Are they interchangeable?
For example, which would be more correct:
Cheeseburger consumption indicates health issues among the population.
...
0
votes
0answers
49 views
Which is the correct way?
Consider:
Our company has the commitment to become the best electronic R&D lab in Europe. We think that the keys to achieving this are...
The question here is: Should it be the keys to ...
1
vote
2answers
35 views
Verb meaning to solve problems through precision or accuracy?
I am seeking an English verb meaning to solve or otherwise approach problems through some combination of precision, accuracy, flexibility, or even speed. There's plenty of relevant nouns, but I can't ...
0
votes
1answer
47 views
Embouchure as a verb
In the following sentence the writer used the word embouchure as a verb. This word is often used as a noun, means the mouth of a river or valley or the mouthpiece of a wind instrument. No dictionary ...
0
votes
0answers
39 views
When a sentence starts with “No” and has multiple subjects, which subject does the verb agree with? [duplicate]
Should it be "No juice and coffee are served," or "No juice and coffee is served?"
1
vote
0answers
48 views
When do we use this construction? Auxiliary verb + subject + verb
I was trying to find some info about this construction but couldn't succeed, although I happen to encounter it here and there almost every day. So the construction is: auxiliary verb + subject + verb. ...
-1
votes
1answer
75 views
She wrote to/ him a letter in France
She wrote him a letter in France
She wrote to him a letter in France
The second sentence is found in Oxford Learners Dictionary.
I think there is some ambiguity in the sentences. ...
0
votes
0answers
21 views
usage of the preposition to after transitive verbs
There are transitive verbs, requiring the usage of "to" after them (e.g. "explain to you", "write to you"), but there are others, which are used without "to" ("give you, show you"). How can I tell ...
1
vote
0answers
21 views
Being sensitive vs To be sensitive
Being sensitive to others when taking part in a general discussion is a useful quality to have.
vs
To be sensitive to others when taking part in a general discussion is a useful quality to have.
I ...
2
votes
2answers
53 views
What is a synonym for “handling someone,” like some sales people do, instead of doing what is requested? [closed]
I am looking for a verb that describes the act of dealing with someone on a superficially polite and considerate way without actually intending to do what is being requested. This kind of thing might ...
1
vote
1answer
39 views
What is it called when one believes to be superior but objectively is not?
On a television documentary, a small group of people declared and truly believed themselves to be superior to other groups.
They referred to themselves as "thoroughbreds" citing physical, mental and ...
-2
votes
1answer
52 views
Higher than average Intellectual ability = Intellectual/Nerd. Higher than average Athletic ability =? [closed]
Someone with raw, higher than average intellect is called a Intellectual/Nerd.
What is someone with raw, higher than average athletic ability called?
Athlete doesn't work as anyone can be an athlete ...
0
votes
1answer
69 views
“I sure am” or “I surely am”
Imagine somebody asks to confirm your identity;
"Are you Mr./Ms. X?"
Do you reply with "I sure am!" or "I surely am!"?
I'm struggling to know whether to apply the adverb form here. What's the rule ...
-1
votes
2answers
56 views
What is the right verb to get a degree from a university, would it be receive, earn, or any other verb?
Could you please advice what the appropriate verb to get a degree?
Please see the following sentence that will be written on a certificate of doctoral conferment.
This is to certify that above named ...
1
vote
1answer
26 views
Is or Are subject verb agreement
I have a question in subject verb agreement. Which one below is correct
Lazy riding, fast walking and long jumping are just the way of who they are.
Lazy riding, fast walking and long jumping is ...
0
votes
1answer
81 views
Grammatical analysis of these two sentences
Isn’t Istanbul a good city?
and
Istanbul is a good city, isn’t it?
In (1) what is the term for how “Isn’t Istanbul” is being used here? At first it looks like its function is to act as ...
0
votes
3answers
69 views
Gerund without “to be” verb
You not loving me is my nightmare.
Is this sentence correct?
If not, would you please tell me the correct form?
0
votes
1answer
47 views
using “to” instead of “into” in “transform A into B”
Instead of using "into", can I use the preposition "to"?
He transformed himself into a werewolf.
He transformed himself to a werewolf.
1
vote
0answers
37 views
cleft sentences with base form of the verb and infinitives
Are we supposed to use the base form of the verb in a cleft sentence or an infinitive? or a gerund? or maybe it's a matter of personal choice?
"What I really hate is _____ out."
a. go b. to go ...
0
votes
0answers
32 views
Can you say “I dunned you”?
I know that "to dun" means to make repeated demands for payment and companies have dunning departments. But can the verb "to dun" be actually be used in a sentence like "we are dunning you for payment"...
0
votes
1answer
39 views
infinitive or present continuous?
I'm looking for your opinion on which is correct:
'To get there - and stay there - you will need to be creative as well as efficient, and constantly proving yourself.'
or
'To get there - and stay ...
1
vote
2answers
82 views
Right form of the grammar
I'm having doubt in using these structures, meaning when to use one over the other...
Reading books helps me in enhancing my knowledge.
Vs
Reading books helps me to enhance my knowledge.
13
votes
8answers
6k views
'Cheddar goes “good” with burgers?' Can “go” be seen as a verb of the senses?
I know that the adverb modifies a verb except for in some limited cases such as verbs of the senses or copula.
"It tastes good.", not "It tastes well."
"It looks good.", not "It looks well."
...
0
votes
1answer
24 views
Why “it” instead of “them” in “make it into”?
In this report news, there is a sentence about ports:
Seven Chinese ports made it into the top 10 ports in the world in
terms of container throughput in 2018.
Why "it" is used? Should we use "...
1
vote
1answer
58 views
What does the verb 'school' mean in 'a racehorse schools in the paddock'?
A Bloodhorse article titled "Public Can Visit Maximum Security May 18 at Monmouth" starts with these sentences:
Maximum Security, whose popularity has soared since he was disqualified from first in ...
1
vote
2answers
52 views
Verb tense agreement - 'Do' vs. 'did'
I want to say something like, 'Would many women, if asked, say they feel unsatisfied with the way they are treated? They would say that they /do/.'
A friend advised me to change 'do' to 'did'. But I'...
0
votes
1answer
22 views
Is Have To/Has To a verb, auxiliary verb, or modal? [duplicate]
I'm wondering what is the actual verb in this sentence: "I have to study". Is the verb "have" or "study" ? Is the verb "have" and "to study" the infinitive?
3
votes
2answers
233 views
Is it mandatory to use contractions in tag questions and the like?
Example 1:
The weather is hot, isn't it?
vs.:
The weather is hot, is it not?
Example 2:
Aren't you going to study tonight?
vs.:
Are you not going to study tonight?
Apart from ...
0
votes
1answer
75 views
He drink only five liquids [duplicate]
while reading NYT's review on the Gladwell's last book I stumbled upon a rather strange passage:
In the weeks I spent listening to Malcolm Gladwell’s podcast, I
learned that lobsters have ...
1
vote
2answers
51 views
“I asks”? How is that?
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes — The Red-Headed League:
“‘I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.’
“‘Why that?’ I asks.
Why has the writer written "I asks" and not "I ...
1
vote
2answers
36 views
Proper use of the verb “to need” when the subject is “bread” [duplicate]
If I have multiple loaves of bread on the table, and I'm referring to all of them, which usage of the verb "need" is correct?
The bread need to be put in the fridge.
The bread needs to be put in the ...
0
votes
4answers
741 views
Past tense of “greenlight” [closed]
Is it greenlighted or greenlit? Is there a correct one or are both acceptable?
1
vote
2answers
40 views
Can rules rule (as in govern)?
I've seen people say things like "the rules that rule Japan", but I don't think it is grammatically correct since rules can't really enforce themselves and the verb 'rule' can only really be used for ...
1
vote
2answers
67 views
What part of speech is “baking” in “baking is fun”? [duplicate]
In the sentence "baking is fun," what part of speech is "baking"?
2
votes
2answers
98 views
Can I use the verb "finish 'in present continuous tense?
Recently, in an essay, I used "finishing up" in a sentence. My teacher marked it wrong, because to finish something isn't an action that takes time. But I've heard "finishing up" used in real life. Is ...
5
votes
2answers
146 views
Information about “lookit”
This week, I've heard "lookit" twice on TV. I heard Jerry Seinfeld say it on Seinfeld, and I heard Joe Gilgun say it on Preacher. And in closed captioning, it was written that way both times, as all ...
3
votes
2answers
101 views
Is the verb for this gesture “wave off?”
Here is the definition:
to wave off
To dismiss or refuse by waving the hand or arm: waved off his invitation to join the group.
But can "wave off" also be used for this
gesture, ...
5
votes
5answers
454 views
Is the word 'home" never an adverb?
He is home
He is at home
He went home
I know that in the sentence 1 and 3 the word home is considered an adverb and in the sentence 2, home is considered a noun.
According to Rod Mitchell, ...
0
votes
1answer
50 views
Why “past subjunctive” has this name if it is used for the present? [closed]
Why "past subjunctive" has this (confusing) name if it is used for hypothetical situations and wishes that take place in the present and the Past Perfect is the tense used in such contexts in the past?...
7
votes
3answers
711 views
Different past tense for various *et words [duplicate]
The past tense of Bet, Let, and Set are Bet, Let, and Set; but the past tense of Jet, Net, Pet, Vet, and Wet are Jetted, Netted, Petted, Vetted, and Wetted. Is there a reason for this difference?
