Verb types by creation way

In the English language, there are several types of verbs according to the way they are formed: simple, derived, complex and composite verbs. Let’s consider the main types of verbs by way of creation and give examples.

1. Simple verbs

Simple verbs are verbs that do not contain any prefixes or suffixes, that is, they do not change their form when additional words are added. These verbs have a base form (without the ending -ed or -ing) and are used to describe actions or states. Here are some examples:

• to run
• to eat
• to sleep
• to jump
• to walk

2. Derived verbs

Derived verbs are verbs that are formed by adding prefixes or suffixes to simple verbs. It can change the meaning of the verb or add new shades of meaning. Here are some examples:

• to play – to replay
• to like – to dislike
• to act – to react
• to do – undo

3. Compound verbs

Compound verbs are verbs that consist of two or more words. These verbs can be made up of words that belong to other parts of speech, such as prepositions or adverbs. Here are some examples:

• For example, adding the prefix “under” to the verb “stand”, we get the verb “understand”. Some other examples of complex verbs include:
  • to daydream
  • to babysit
  • to bookend
  • to brainstorm
  • to whitewash

It is important to remember that with compound verbs there is no need to use additional particles or adverbs to convey an additional meaning, since they already contain these meanings in their composition.

4. Сomposite verbs

Composite verbs or phrasal verbs, like сompound verbs, consist of two or more words, but they differ in that one of the components is a verb-particle (particle), which does not have its own lexical meaning, but serves to clarify or change the meaning the verb with which it is connected. Such verbs should be perceived and remembered as one whole, one word, because its meaning can sometimes be very different from the meaning of the verb and the suffix alone.

• For example, the verb “to look”, by adding the participle “up” to it, we get a new meaning – “to find”, i.e. “to look up” means “to look in a dictionary or reference book”. Other examples of composite verbs: “to make up”, “to give up”, “to take off”, “to put off”, “to bring up”, “to set up”, “to get up”.
  • to break up – to end a romantic relationship or to separate into smaller pieces
    Example: Jack and Jill decided to break up after a year of dating.
  • to look forward to – to anticipate or to be excited about something that is going to happen in the future
    Example: Mary is looking forward to her trip to Paris next month.
  • to come up with – to think of or to invent an idea or solution
    Example: The team had to come up with a new strategy to increase sales.
  • to get along with – to have a friendly or harmonious relationship with someone
    Example: Despite their initial differences, Tom and Jerry eventually got along with each other.
  • to give up on – to stop trying or to abandon hope of achieving something or helping someone
    Example: After numerous failed attempts, the doctor gave up on trying to save the patient’s life.