What is a Verb?

Usain Bolt runs fast.

In this sentence the word runs tells us what the subject Usain Bolt is doing.

It is called a verb.

A verb is a word used to describe an action, state or occurrence.

Here are some more examples:

2. I read books in my free time.

2. Pikachu gave Ash a thunderbolt.

Transitive Verbs.

The jaguar fought the crocodile.

Here the verb fought requires the object 'crocodile' to act upon.

The verbs that require an object (or objects), are called transitive verbs.

For example:

1. Dhoni hit the ball for a huge six.

2. The earth revolves around the sun.

Intransitive Verbs.

He laughed.

Here the verb laughed does not require any object.

The verbs that do not require an object, are called intransitive verbs.

For example:

1. Goku is strong.

2. I eat before leaving for school.