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.

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