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VERB FORM [vb]

STEP 1: DEFINITION

English has many verb forms. Here are some of the most common:

make/let/have + someone/something + base verb (causative) The teacher made her students finish their homework in class. He let me leave early. Please have the tutor explain this to you.

to be + verb + -ing (present participle) We are going to the movies this evening.

to be + verb + -ed, -en, -t (past participle) They are going to be married soon.

have/has/had + -ed, -en, -t (past participle) We haven't completed our work yet.

preposition + verb + -ing (gerund) She is tired of doing the same job day after day.

verb + verb + -ing (gerund) Tom avoids smoking. I look forward to seeing you.

Remind students to check a dictionary such as the Longman Dictionary at http://longman-elt.com/dictionaries to check verb forms.

Incorrect: Sharon quitted her job.

Correct: Sharon quit her job.

Incorrect: He did not showed up on time.

Correct: He did not show up on time.

Incorrect: Her jewelry has been stole.

Correct: Her jewelry has been stolen.

Incorrect: What made her returns home so quickly?

Correct: What made her return home so quickly?

Incorrect: He is plan to leave later on today.

Correct: He is planning to leave later on today.

STEP 2: PRACTICE EXERCISES

Practice 1 - Recognizing verb form errors in sentences
Practice 2 - Recognizing verb form errors in paragraphs

STEP 3: LEARNING MORE