Five Forms of Verbs

A verb can have five visual forms:

Base Form [V1]/ Present Form Past Form [V2] Past Participle [V3] -ing Form/ Present Participle/ Gerund -s/-es Form [Vs]

go went gone going goes

do did done doing does

eat ate eaten eating eats

Now, let’s learn the use the forms of verbs.

Use of Base Forms/Present Forms of Verbs

Base forms or present forms of verbs are the simplest form of verbs, without any endings like -s, -ed, or -ing. They are used in various situations, including present simple tense, commands, and after certain auxiliary verbs.

1. For Habitual Actions or General Truths (Present Simple Tense)

The base form is used After plural subject and I to describe regular actions, habits, or facts.

Examples:

The birds (sing) sing in the morning.
My friends (play) play football on Sundays.
I (write) write a letter to my grandmother every month.
They (read) read books in the library.
The students (study) study hard before exams.

Practice:

Fill in the blanks with the correct present form of the verbs in brackets:

They (visit) _____ their grandparents on Sundays.
He (study) _____ hard for his exams.
Birds (fly) _____ fly in the sky.
They (play) _____ play football every weekend.

2. After Modal Verbs (can, should, must, may, might, will, shall)

The base form is always used after modal verbs, without any changes.

Examples:

You must (do) do your homework.
He can (speak) speak three languages.
They should (help) help their parents.
She will (call) call you tomorrow.
We might (visit) visit the museum.

Practice:

Complete the sentences using the correct base forms of the verbs in brackets:

You must (bring) _____ your ID card.
He can (cook) _____ very well.
We should (respect) _____ our elders.
She will (visit) _____ her friend next week.
They might (travel) _____ to France.

3. For Commands or Instructions (Imperatives)

The base form is used for giving direct commands or instructions.

Examples:

(Close) Close the door.
(Listen) Listen carefully.
(Sit) Sit down, please.
(Write) Write your name here.
(Stop) Stop talking!

Practice:

Fill in the blanks with the correct base forms of the verbs in brackets:

(Open) _____ the window.
(Wait) _____ for your turn.
(Help) _____ me with this box.
(Speak) _____ louder, please.
(Stand) _____ up straight.

4. In Conditional Sentences (Zero and First Conditionals)

Base forms are used in the if-clause of zero and first conditional sentences.

Examples:

If you (study) study hard, you (pass) pass the test.
If the dogs (bark) bark, the neighbors (wake) wake up.
If I (wake) wake up early, I (go) go for a run.

Practice:

Complete the sentences with the correct present forms of the verbs in brackets:

If you (eat) _____ too much, you (gain) _____ weight.
If he (practice) _____ every day, he (improve) _____ his skills.
If the baby (cry) _____, she (wake) _____ up everyone.
If you (mix) _____ red and blue, you (get) _____ purple.
If we (save) _____ money, we (travel) _____ to Europe.

5. Causative Verbs

Causative verbs are used when one person causes another person to do something or when something is made to happen. The most common causative verbs are make, have, let, get, and help.

When the object of the causative verb is the doer of the next verb, use the base form (bare infinitive) of the verb.

Structure:

Causative verb + object + base form of the verb

Examples:

She made him apologize. (He did the apologizing.)
The teacher had the students write a story. (The students wrote the story.)
The coach let the team play until sunset. (The team played.)
She helped him fix the car. (He fixed the car.)

Use of -s/-es Forms of Verbs

The -s/-es forms of verbs are used mainly in the Present Simple Tense with singular third-person subjects (he, she, it) and in certain fixed expressions.

1. In the Present Simple Tense with Third-Person Singular Subjects

When the subject is a singular noun or a third-person singular pronoun (he, she, it), the base form of the verb usually takes an -s or -es ending.

2. In Fixed Expressions or Set Phrases

Some expressions and phrases always use the -s form, even when the subject is not singular.

Examples:

Time (fly) flies when you’re having fun.
Practice (make) makes perfect.
The truth (hurt) hurts sometimes.
Every little bit (help) helps.
Crime (pay) pays in movies, but not in real life.

Practice:

Choose the correct -s or -es form to complete the sentences:

Time (fly) _____ when you are happy.
The truth (hurt) _____ sometimes.
Every penny (count) _____.
Practice (make) _____ perfect.
Hard work (pay) _____ off.

3. In Descriptions of Regular or Habitual Actions

We also use -s/-es forms to describe routines, habits, or repeated actions.

Examples:

She (brush) brushes her teeth twice a day.
He (wake) wakes up early every morning.
It (happen) happens every year.
The sun (rise) rises in the east.
The bell (ring) rings at 8 a.m.

Practice:

Fill in the blanks with the correct -s or -es forms of the verbs in brackets:

She (wake) _____ up at 6 a.m. every day.
He (brush) _____ his teeth after every meal.
The clock (tick) _____ loudly.
She (sing) _____ beautifully.
The baby (laugh) _____ when he sees his toys.

4. For Facts and Universal Truths

We use the -s form to state facts, universal truths, or scientific facts.

Examples:

Water (freeze) freezes at 0°C.
The Earth (revolve) revolves around the Sun.
The heart (pump) pumps blood through the body.
A triangle (have) has three sides.
The sun (set) sets in the west.

Practice:

Complete the sentences with the correct -s or -es forms of the verbs in brackets:

The sun (rise) _____ in the east.
A spider (have) _____ eight legs.
Water (boil) _____ at 100°C.
The moon (reflect) _____ sunlight.
The heart (beat) _____ all the time.

Rules for Adding -s or -es:

Add -s to most verbs:

She (write) writes every day.
He (run) runs fast.
The dog (bark) barks loudly.

Add -es to verbs that end in -ch, -sh, -x, -s, -o, or -z:

She (watch) watches TV every evening.
He (fix) fixes his bike on weekends.
It (go) goes smoothly.

Change -y to -ies if the verb ends in a consonant + y:

She (study) studies hard.
He (try) tries his best.
The baby (cry) cries a lot.

Keep the -y if it follows a vowel:

She (play) plays the piano.
He (stay) stays at home on weekends.

Practice:

Fill in the blanks with the correct -s or -es forms of the verbs in brackets:

He (teach) _____ English.
The cat (catch) _____ mice.
She (study) _____ French.
It (rain) _____ heavily in summer.
The dog (bark) _____ at strangers.
She (wash) _____ the dishes every day.
He (go) _____ to the gym on Fridays.
She (cry) _____ when she feels sad.
He (play) _____ the guitar well.
It (buzz) _____ loudly.

Use of Past Forms of Verbs

Past forms of verbs are used to describe actions or states that happened in the past, as well as for expressing wishes, regrets, and unreal situations.

1. To Describe Completed Actions in the Past (Simple Past Tense)

Past forms are used to describe actions that started and ended in the past.

Examples:

She (visit) visited her grandmother last week.
They (play) played football yesterday.
He (write) wrote a letter to his friend.
We (see) saw a movie last night.
The baby (cry) cried all night.

Practice:

Fill in the blanks with the correct past forms of the verbs in brackets:

She (cook) _____ dinner for her family.
They (build) _____ a sandcastle on the beach.
He (take) _____ a break after lunch.
We (read) _____ an interesting book yesterday.
The dog (bark) _____ at the stranger.

2. To Describe Past Habits or Repeated Actions

The simple past is also used for actions that were regular or repeated in the past but no longer happen.

Examples:

I (walk) walked to school every day.
He (play) played the piano as a child.
They (visit) visited their grandparents every summer.
She (dance) danced in the school play.
We (watch) watched cartoons on weekends.

Practice:

Complete the sentences using the correct past forms of the verbs in brackets:

She (study) _____ hard for her exams.
They (swim) _____ in the river every summer.
He (sing) _____ in the choir as a child.
We (visit) _____ the zoo every year.
I (draw) _____ pictures in my notebook.

3. In Stories or Narratives

Past forms are often used to tell stories or describe sequences of events in the past.

Examples:

Once upon a time, a princess (live) lived in a castle.
The cat (chase) chased the mouse across the room.
He (climb) climbed the mountain alone.
They (find) found a hidden treasure.
She (discover) discovered a secret door.

Practice:

Fill in the blanks with the correct past forms of the verbs in brackets:

The boy (find) _____ a shiny coin on the road.
The dog (chase) _____ the cat around the yard.
She (open) _____ the door slowly.
They (travel) _____ to a distant land.
He (write) _____ a story about a brave knight.

4. In Conditional Sentences (Second Conditional)

Past forms are used in the if-clause of second conditional sentences to talk about unreal or imaginary situations.

Examples:

If I (have) had a million dollars, I would travel the world.
If he (know) knew the answer, he would tell you.
If they (win) won the lottery, they would buy a big house.
If she (speak) spoke French, she would work in Paris.
If you (see) saw a ghost, what would you do?

Practice:

Complete the sentences with the correct past forms of the verbs in brackets:

If I (be) _____ a bird, I would fly high in the sky.
If he (find) _____ a treasure, he would share it with his friends.
If they (know) _____ the truth, they would be surprised.
If she (win) _____ the race, she would be very happy.
If we (live) _____ in a big city, life would be different.

5. After "I wish", "I fancy", "I wonder", and in Unreal Past

Past forms are also used to express wishes, regrets, or unreal situations that are not true in the present.

Examples:

I wish I (have) had a pet dog.
She wishes she (know) knew how to dance.
I fancy I (live) lived in a castle.
I wonder what it would be like if I (fly) flew like a bird.
He wishes he (be) were taller.

Practice:

Fill in the blanks with the correct past forms of the verbs in brackets:

I wish I (speak) _____ French fluently.
She wishes she (live) _____ by the sea.
I wonder if he (know) _____ the answer.
He wishes he (have) _____ more free time.
They fancy they (travel) _____ to the moon.

Use of Past Participle Forms of Verbs

1. After 'have', 'has', and 'had' to form perfect tenses:

The past participle is used with have, has, and had to indicate completed actions.

Examples:

I have (write) written a letter.
She has (see) seen the movie twice.
They have (build) built a new house.
He had (eat) eaten his lunch before the meeting.
We had (finish) finished our work by noon.

Practice:

Fill in the blanks with the correct past participle form of the verbs in brackets:

She has (choose) _____ a beautiful dress.
They have (visit) _____ many countries.
He had (forget) _____ his keys at home.
We have (take) _____ the test already.
The children have (make) _____ a lot of noise.

2. After 'be' in passive voice:

The past participle is used with be (am, is, are, was, were, been) to form the passive voice, where the action is done to the subject.

Examples:

The cake was (bake) baked by my mother.
The letter has been (send) sent to the manager.
The car was (repair) repaired last week.
The windows are (clean) cleaned every morning.
The city was (destroy) destroyed by the earthquake.

Practice:

Fill in the blanks with the correct past participle form of the verbs in brackets:

The letter was (write) _____ by the student.
The bridge was (build) _____ in 1965.
The dishes were (wash) _____ by my sister.
The books have been (arrange) _____ neatly on the shelf.
The house was (decorate) _____ for the party.

3. After 'get' in passive constructions (informal use):

In informal contexts, get can also be used with past participles to show something happened to the subject.

Examples:

He got (hurt) hurt in the game.
The cat got (trap) trapped in the room.
She got (invite) invited to the party.
They got (confuse) confused by the instructions.
The dog got (lose) lost in the park.

Practice:

Complete the sentences using the correct past participle forms:

He got (choose) _____ for the team.
The documents got (lose) _____ in the office.
She got (marry) _____ last month.
The players got (injure) _____ during the match.
The picture got (damage) _____ during the move.

4. As adjectives:

Past participles can also be used as adjectives to describe nouns.

Examples:

I found a (break) broken vase in the garden.
The (paint) painted wall looks beautiful.
She bought a (use) used car.
He gave me a (write) written message.
They visited a (freeze) frozen lake.

Practice:

Choose the correct past participle form to complete the sentences:

The (break) _____ glass was dangerous.
I received a (write) _____ letter yesterday.
They found a (hide) _____ treasure in the cave.
She bought a (use) _____ phone.
We sat by the (freeze) _____ pond.

5. Causative Verbs

Causative verbs are used when one person causes another person to do something or when something is made to happen. The most common causative verbs are make, have, let, get, and help.

When the object of the causative verb is the doer of the next verb, use the base form (bare infinitive) of the verb.

When the object of the causative verb is the receiver of the action, use the past participle form of the verb.

Structure:

Causative verb + object + past participle

Examples:

She had her hair cut. (Someone else cut her hair.)
He got his car repaired. (Someone else repaired his car.)
They had the house painted. (Someone else painted the house.)
She got her watch fixed. (Someone else fixed her watch.)

Quick Tip:

Use the base form when the object does the action.
Use the past participle when the object receives the action.

Practice 1:

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets:

She made him _____ (clean) his room.
They had their house _____ (paint).
He let her _____ (drive) his car.
She got her phone _____ (repair).
The teacher had the students _____ (write) an essay.
He got his teeth _____ (check) by the dentist.
She helped him _____ (solve) the problem.
He got his clothes _____ (wash).
The manager had the report _____ (send) by his assistant.
She let the children _____ (play) in the garden.

Use of Present Participle/Gerund Forms of Verbs

The present participle (also called the -ing form) can be used in different ways in English. It is formed by adding -ing to the base form of the verb.

2. As a Gerund (Noun)

-ing Forms of Verbs can also function as gerunds, which are verbs used as nouns.

A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that acts like a noun. It can be the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or the object of a preposition.

Examples:

As a Subject:

(Swim) Swimming is a good exercise.
(Read) Reading helps you learn new words.
(Dance) Dancing is fun and healthy.
(Travel) Traveling can teach you about different cultures.
(Sing) Singing makes me happy.

As an Object of a Verb:

She enjoys (paint) painting.
They like (play) playing in the park.
He loves (write) writing stories.
She dislikes (run) running in the heat.
We keep (learn) learning new things.

As an Object of a Preposition:

She is good at (draw) drawing.
He is interested in (read) reading about space.
They talked about (travel) traveling to the mountains.
She is worried about (miss) missing the bus.
He is tired of (wait) waiting in long lines.

Practice:

Fill in the blanks with the correct gerund forms of the verbs in brackets. Use them as both subjects and objects:

(Write) _____ in a journal is a good habit. / She enjoys _____ in her diary.
(Cook) _____ is his favorite hobby. / He likes _____ for his family.
(Play) _____ video games can be fun. / They love _____ with friends.
(Walk) _____ in the park is relaxing. / She enjoys _____ in the evening.
(Read) _____ books is a good way to gain knowledge. / She loves _____ before bedtime.
(Paint) _____ pictures is a creative activity. / He enjoys _____ landscapes.
(Sing) _____ makes people happy. / She enjoys _____ in the choir.
(Swim) _____ in the sea is exciting. / He loves _____ in the ocean.
(Dance) _____ to music is enjoyable. / She loves _____ to her favorite songs.
(Travel) _____ to new places is exciting. / They enjoy _____ to different countries.

3. After Prepositions

Gerunds are often used after prepositions.

Examples:

She is interested in (paint) painting.
They talked about (travel) traveling to Europe.
He apologized for (be) being late.
She is afraid of (fly) flying.
They are good at (solve) solving puzzles.

Practice:

Use the correct gerund form to complete the sentences:

He is excited about (start) _____ a new job.
She is afraid of (speak) _____ in public.
They are thinking of (move) _____ to a new city.
I am tired of (wait) _____ for the bus.
He is known for (write) _____ beautiful poems.

4. After Certain Verbs

Some verbs are followed directly by gerunds.

Examples:

I enjoy (read) reading books.
She avoids (talk) talking about her problems.
They practice (speak) speaking English every day.
He finished (write) writing his assignment.
She suggested (go) going for a walk.

Practice:

Fill in the blanks with the correct gerund forms of the verbs in brackets:

She enjoys (sing) _____ in the shower.
He avoids (eat) _____ junk food.
They practice (speak) _____ English every morning.
I finished (read) _____ the book last night.
He suggested (visit) _____ the museum.

Fill in the Gaps with the Correct Forms of Verbs in Brackets

Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the verbs in brackets. Use base forms, -s/-es forms, past forms, past participles, present participles (gerunds), or infinitives as needed.

She (go) _____ to the market every Saturday.
He (watch) _____ a movie last night.
They (run) _____ in the park every morning.
If you (study) _____ hard, you will pass the exam.
She (be) _____ excited about the trip.
We (see) _____ the Eiffel Tower last summer.
The cat (catch) _____ a mouse yesterday.
I wish I (have) _____ more free time.
She (visit) _____ her grandparents every month.
He (finish) _____ his work before the deadline.
The sun (rise) _____ in the east.
I (know) _____ him since childhood.
If he (be) _____ taller, he could play basketball.
She enjoys (read) _____ novels.
They (travel) _____ to Japan last year.
He (take) _____ his medicine every morning.
I wish I (live) _____ in a big house.
He (swim) _____ across the river yesterday.
If you (eat) _____ too much, you (gain) _____ weight.
She (try) _____ her best to win the competition.
The baby (cry) _____ when it is hungry.
If it (rain) _____ tomorrow, we (stay) _____ home.
I (teach) _____ English for 10 years.
They (arrive) _____ late because of the traffic.
He (write) _____ a letter to his friend yesterday.
She (brush) _____ her teeth twice a day.
We (visit) _____ our grandparents last weekend.
He (do) _____ his homework before dinner.
If you (leave) _____ now, you (catch) _____ the bus.
She (make) _____ a cake for her friend’s birthday.

Fill in the Gaps with the Correct Forms of Verbs in Brackets

Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the verbs in brackets. Use base forms, -s/-es forms, past forms, past participles, present participles (gerunds), or infinitives as needed.

She made him (promise) _____ to arrive on time.
If they (not see) _____ the signal, they (miss) _____ the boat.
The book (lie) _____ on the table for weeks.
I enjoy (swim) _____ in the ocean during summer.
If you (hear) _____ any noise, please (call) _____ me.
She (forget) _____ to lock the door yesterday.
The teacher (let) _____ the students (leave) _____ early.
I wish I (speak) _____ French fluently.
They (build) _____ this bridge in 1995.
She (run) _____ five kilometers every morning.
If he (be) _____ here, he (help) _____ us.
I (read) _____ the entire book by the time you (arrive) _____.
She (write) _____ a novel last year.
I fancy (live) _____ in a quiet village.
He (break) _____ his arm while (climb) _____ a tree.
If it (snow) _____ tomorrow, we (make) _____ a snowman.
She (teach) _____ math at the local school.
He (fall) _____ asleep while (watch) _____ TV.
I (not see) _____ him since he (move) _____ to another city.
The cake (bake) _____ in the oven smells delicious.
They (have) _____ a meeting when the fire alarm (go) _____.
She (feed) _____ the cat before (leave) _____ for work.
If you (tell) _____ me the truth, I (believe) _____ you.
The baby (start) _____ (cry) _____ as soon as it (wake) _____.
They (catch) _____ the thief before he (escape) _____.
He (leave) _____ the house without (say) _____ goodbye.
I (choose) _____ the red dress because it (look) _____ better.
She (rise) _____ to the challenge and (win) _____ the match.
If you (break) _____ the vase, you (have) _____ to pay for it.
He (sleep) _____ on the couch because he (forget) _____ his keys.