Quick Reference
VERB FORMS AND TENSES
Linguistics | Grammar | Verbs | Families
finite. A verb that is inflected by the subject.
future. Tense that refers to an action which has not yet begun. (I will walk, I shall walk).
infinite. A verb that is not inflected and does not have an overt subject. The infinitive is usually preceded with to as in 'they began to play'.
imperfect. Tense that refers to an action or state which is continuous or repetitious: I am walking, he talks, they sleep.
intransitive. A verb that does not require a direct object. This includes verbs such as think or sleep as in: she slept on the bed.
modal. Verbs describing mood: might, ought, should, would.
past. Tense that refers to an action which has already begun or is complete: I walked. They swam.
perfect. Tense that refers to an action or state which is complete: The moon has risen (past perfect), I will have walked (future perfect).
present. Tense that refers to actions occurring at the moment: I walk. He drives.
reflexive. Verb form where the subject refers back to itself: I wash myself. He spoke to himself.
regular. Verbs where the tenses follow the regular pattern of: walk, walked, walking.
transitive. A verb that requires a direct object. For example: He woke her. I love him.
