1. Verbs

2. Lexical Verbs physical actions: I slammed the door
mental actions: I think that is unfair.
states: That seems reasonable
physical process verbs are dynamic
states and conditions are stative

3. Example
Jane strolls into the park where she relaxes and feels content.
strolls = deliberate physical action
relaxes = less obviously an action but still a physical process
feels = a state of mind

4. Infinitive (base form)
the form from which all other forms of the verb are derived
it always includes the word to (to sing, to skip, to explode, to go etc)
remember to be is a verb along with its various forms (is, are, was, were etc)

5. Remember
words can belong to different classes depending on function in the sentence
Jane strolls into the park - park is clearly a noun
Jane has gone to park her car – now it is a verb

6. Auxiliary (helping) Verbs
added to lexical verbs for various purposes
they exist in verb phrases before the lexical verb

7. Primary Auxiliaries Only 3 of these: have, be, do
Phil has written his first book or Liz is looking after the children
to show whether action or state of a verb is complete or on-going
Have you spent all your money
To construct questions
I do want to see you
To add emphasis
I did not go to school yesterday
To construct negatives

8. Remember
The 3 primary auxiliaries can also be used as main / lexical verbs
She is tall.
I have a new car.
He did it.

9. modal auxiliaries
can, could, shall, should, will, would, may, might, must
very subtle difference between some auxiliaries
a few marginal auxiliaries – have to, need to, ought to – similar to should / must

10. Function
Examples
Expressing …
expressing degree of certainty
I will / shall take a holiday in August
Intention
I should be able to take a holiday next year
Probability
I may / might take a holidy in August
Possibility
degree of obligation
Now I’ve left work, I can / could take a holiday
Ability
My boss said I can / could/ may / might take a holiday
Permission
I must / should take a holiday in August
obligation
making factual statements
In the past I would take a holiday every autumn
Habit
As a student, I could always find time for a holiday
Past ability
She can holiday in France whenever she likes
Present ability