Types of Verbs for SAT & ACT Grammar: Main & Auxiliary Verbs with Examples

Understanding verbs is super important when you're preparing for the SAT Exam or ACT Exam English sections. Verbs are action words or words that show a state of being, and they help build clear and correct sentences. In these exams, many grammar questions test how well you know how verbs work in different situations. There are two main types of verbs you need to know—main verbs and auxiliary (helping) verbs. Main verbs show the main action or state in a sentence, while auxiliary verbs help change the tense or mood. If you know the difference and how to use them correctly, you'll be able to answer many grammar questions with confidence. In this guide, we’ll explain the types of verbs with simple examples so you can easily understand and remember them.

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What are Verbs?

A verb is a word (or sometimes a few words) that shows what someone is doing, feeling, or being. It tells us the action in a sentence—like run, think, or smile. But verbs don’t just show action. They can also show that someone has something (like "She has a book") or that someone is something (like "He is tired"). Verbs are super important because, without them, a sentence doesn’t really say much

Examples of English Verbs:

1. I am going to the library.
   (“am going” shows the action you’re doing right now.)
2. She was excited about the film.
   (“was excited” tells how she felt.)
3. She works well.
   (“works” shows her action or ability.)
4. They maintain themselves.
   (“maintain” shows what they do to stay in good shape.)
5. Let’s drop by Grandma’s place!
   (“drop by” is a phrasal verb meaning to visit briefly.)
6. He is returning home after a long time.
   (“is returning” shows an action happening now.)

Types of English Verbs

There are different types of verbs in generative grammar. A sentence can contain a single verb or a combination of auxiliary and main verb. 

What is the Main Verb?

In English, the main verb is the action done by or on the subject. It's usually easy to spot because it answers the question: What is the subject doing?

Example: Richa is playing badminton. Ask: What is Richa doing? The answer is "playing," which is the verb.

There are three types of main verbs you should know:

1. Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
2. Regular and Irregular Verbs
3. Finite and Non-Finite Verbs

1. Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

When studying English verbs, it's important to understand the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs. Transitive verbs need an object to complete their meaning, while intransitive verbs don’t require one. Here’s a simple guide to help you understand both types:

2. Regular and Irregular Verbs

Understanding regular and irregular verbs is important for mastering English grammar. Regular verbs follow a simple pattern when changing tenses, while irregular verbs don’t follow this pattern and change in unexpected ways. Here's a breakdown of both:

3. Finite and Non-Finite Verbs

Finite and non-finite verbs are essential to understand for forming correct sentences. Finite verbs change based on the subject and tense, while non-finite verbs do not change. Here’s a breakdown of both types:

Summary:

• Main Verbs: The action in a sentence.
• Transitive Verbs: Require an object (e.g., kick the ball).
• Intransitive Verbs: Do not require an object (e.g., laugh).
• Regular Verbs: Follow predictable patterns in tenses (e.g., played).
• Irregular Verbs: Change in unpredictable ways (e.g., went).
• Finite Verbs: Change based on subject and tense.
• Non-Finite Verbs: Do not change based on subject or tense.

Points to Remember While Using the Main Verb

The base form of the verb is used in certain sentences where the subjunctive mood is needed. Some verbs like advise, demand, prefer, require, ask, insist, propose, stipulate, command, recommend, suggest, decree, order, request, urge, and move are followed by the word "that" and then the base form of the verb in the next part of the sentence. Structure: Subject + Verb (from the list above) + "that" + Subject + Base Verb Examples: The manager requires that we complete our project on time. The board commanded that he stop making excuses for the losses. Important Notes: The verb from the list must be followed by a subject that agrees in number and person with the verb. If the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb should be plural. Examples: A boy plays football. (singular) The boys play football. (plural)

What is the Auxiliary Verb

An auxiliary verb (also called a helper verb) is a verb that works with the main verb to give more information about the action. It helps show things like time (tense), whether something is ongoing (aspect), or if something is certain or possible (modality).

Auxiliary verbs usually come with the main verb in a sentence. The main verb tells us the main action or meaning, and the auxiliary verb adds extra details.

Example: I have finished my lunch. In this sentence, "finished" is the main verb (it tells the action), and "have" is the auxiliary verb (it shows that the action is completed in the present perfect tense).

Sometimes, sentences have more than one auxiliary verb.

What is a Modal Auxiliary Verb?

Modals (also called modal verbs or modal auxiliaries) are special helping verbs that show the subject’s mood, attitude, or intention. They tell us things like:

• Possibility or likelihood
• Ability or capacity
• Permission or requests
• Suggestions or advice
• Obligation or necessity
• Intentions or future actions

Modal verbs are always used with the base form of the main verb (like go, run, eat, etc.).

Notes:

• "Modal + -ed" refers to modal perfect forms (e.g., should have gone, could have done).
   
• Not all modal verbs have both full and short negative forms.
   
• "May" and "shall" typically don't use contracted negative forms in modern English.

Different Kinds of Modals and their Usage:

Modal verbs are helping verbs that show ability, permission, possibility, advice, or necessity. They are used with the base form of a verb and change the meaning slightly. Here’s a table of different kinds of modals and how they are used:

Common Rules for using Modals

Common Mistake while using Modals

One common mistake with modal verbs is using the wrong verb form after the modal. Modals like can, should, might, and must must always be followed by the base form of the verb (not the past or -ing form). For example, many students incorrectly say “He can went” instead of the correct form “He can go.” This mistake confuses the tense and structure of the sentence, which is often tested in exams like the SAT.

SAT-Style Example Question:
Ques. Choose the best version of the underlined portion:

Despite being tired, Maria knew she should went to the meeting to avoid missing anything important.
A) should went
B) should go
C) should goes
D) should going

Correct Answer: B) should go

Explanation:
The modal verb ‘should’ must be followed by the base form of the verb, which is go. The original phrase should went is incorrect because went is past tense, not the base form. Choices A, C, and D are all incorrect for the same reason—only go fits grammatically after should.

The SAT Writing and Language section often tests your ability to recognize and correct errors in verb tenses and verb forms. These questions check if verbs match the time of the action and stay consistent throughout a sentence or passage. Sometimes, the test may also ask you to choose the correct verb form based on context, subject-verb agreement, or parallel structure. Knowing how verb tenses work helps you avoid common mistakes and improve your overall score.

Key Points (in simple words):

1. Keep Tenses Consistent: If a sentence starts in the past, it should usually stay in the past unless there's a clear reason to switch tenses.
2. Use the Right Verb Form: Make sure the verb matches the subject and tense. Know the difference between regular and irregular verb forms.
3. Subject-Verb Agreement: Singular subjects go with singular verbs, and plural subjects go with plural verbs.
4. Look for Time Clues: Words like “yesterday,” “now,” or “by then” tell you which tense to use.
5. Parallel Structure: If you list actions, keep all the verbs in the same form (like all -ing or all infinitives).
6. Past Perfect for Earlier Events: Use “had + verb” (past perfect) if you're talking about something that happened before another past event.

6 Solved SAT Verbs Questions with Explanations

Question 1: While Mia eats lunch, her brother was practicing piano. A. eats / was practicing B. ate / practiced C. eats / practices D. was eating / was practicing

✅ Answer: C. eats / practices
Explanation: Both actions are happening at the same time in the present, so the verb tenses must match. “Eats” and “practices” are both present tense.

Question 2: After Jamal had left the house, he realized he forgot his phone. A. had left / realized B. left / had realized C. had left / had realized D. was leaving / realizes

✅ Answer: A. had left / realized
Explanation: Use past perfect (“had left”) for the first action and simple past (“realized”) for what happened after.

Question 3: Every student and teacher in the group were asked to bring supplies. A. were B. are C. is D. have been

✅ Answer: C. is
Explanation: “Every student and teacher” is treated as a singular subject. So, the verb should be singular: “is.”

Question 4: Maya not only loves to cook but also bake desserts for her friends. A. bake B. bakes C. baking D. baked

✅ Answer: B. bakes
Explanation: To keep the parallel structure with “loves,” we need another present tense verb: “bakes.”

Question 5: The team celebrates their win last Friday with a big party. A. celebrates B. celebrated C. was celebrating D. celebrating

✅ Answer: B. celebrated
Explanation: The event happened “last Friday,” which is in the past, so use the simple past tense “celebrated.”

Question 6: By the time the train arrived, the passengers had waited for over an hour. A. waited B. had waited C. have waited D. were waiting

✅ Answer: B. had waited
Explanation: Since the waiting happened before the train arrived, use past perfect “had waited.”