Verbs: formation

Identifying verbs

It is not always possible to identify a verb by its form. However, some word-endings (suffixes) can show that the word is probably a verb.

suffix	examples
-ate	appreciate, celebrate, congratulate
-en	frighten, soften, widen
-ify	identify, specify, qualify
-ise/-ize*	realise, recognise, modernize

*Both forms are used, but the -ise form is more common in British English and the -ize form is more common in American English.

Typical verb prefixes

Verbs often also have these typical prefixes.

prefix	examples
ad-	adapt, admit, advance
de-	deceive, deform, describe
im-/in-	impose, increase, inform
per-	perform, persuade, perceive
re-	recall, receive, reproduce

However, some words beginning with these prefixes may belong to other word classes (e.g. increase [noun], reception [noun]). A good learner’s dictionary will tell you whether a word is a verb.

Verbs sometimes have the same form as nouns or adjectives.

Verbs related to nouns

• Could you hand me the dictionary?
• We should position the noticeboard where everyone can see it.
• I’ll email Sally to see if she is free on Thursday.

Verbs related to adjectives

• I needed to calm my nerves before the interview.
• The government hopes to slow the growth in road traffic over the next five years.
• As they get older, most people’s hair starts to thin.

Compound verbs

Compound verbs are two words which combine to make one meaning. The first word is usually a noun, an adjective or a preposition, and the second word is a verb. The words are sometimes written as one word and sometimes joined by hyphens. A good learner’s dictionary will tell you how the compound is normally written:

• hand-wash (noun + verb)
• highlight (adjective + verb)
• overcome (preposition + verb)
• Sorry, I was daydreaming. What did you say?
• Do you have to hand-wash this sweater or can it go in the washing machine?
• The airline upgraded me to business class.

Compound verbs are much less common than compound nouns or compound adjectives.